Adele’s run for schools in Pakistan

As part of the Great Starfish Trail, I have challenged myself to run 60km in 15 days (9-23 Sept 2023).

Update: 24th Sep... Challenge completed!

So my challenge is done! 60km in 15 days. I managed to run every day and was inspired by all of you donating to this great cause and telling me I could do it. Thank you all so much. I know the money will make a difference to some of the world’s most deprived children. We can’t help everyone, but a few children will have the chance of a better future because of your generosity. 

Update: 13th Sep …. A third of my challenge completed!

Thank you all so much for your support and sponsorship. I am encouraged to see the money coming in to help contribute to teachers’ pay at Starfish schools. This motivates me everyday I go out to run, even when it’s hard. I have done 5 out of my 15 runs and it’s going pretty much to plan – longer runs on my non-work days and shorter evening runs after work. I have run 21.63km which is an average of 4.33 per run, nicely above my average of 4km/day. The heat has reduced now and I haven’t yet had to run in rain. So I just need to keep going … best foot forward.

Training update! With 3 weeks until the start of my challenge, I am running most days and managing to average over 4K/day (see August’s stats so far). Very pleased with my longest run of 7.3K, if I can do one of those early in the challenge, I will start to believe I can achieve the 60K. Just not yet running everyday …

I started running in lockdown, but am no longer running regularly (see my June 2023 recorded runs… or should that be ‘run’?). My target works out at 4Km/day which is a massive challenge as even when I ran regularly, it was only 2-3 times a week. Training has begun – I did quite a lot in July, but running everyday and in all weathers will be my biggest challenge. I am hoping to do a couple of longer runs to maybe give myself a day off…   

This charity is close to my heart. I grew up in Pakistan and know many wonderful people associated with the charity. Our son, Dan, spent 3 weeks of his gap year, visiting schools supported by Starfish Asia all over Pakistan and came back with truly inspirational stories about what amazing education opportunities are being given amongst some of the world’s poorest children. Starfish does not run schools – they support schools which are already successfully running, despite limited resources. Money raised through Starfish provides for ‘extras’ the schools can’t afford, such as running water, books, chairs, teachers’ salaries etc.

My target of £1,200 will pay 2 teachers a year’s salary - an ambitious target, but what I would really love to contribute, with your help. Thanks so much!