I completed the Bournemouth Half Marathon on Sunday 6th October in 2:01:05 and I am very happy with the time – especially considering the weather, which to everyone’s surprise was sunny and fairly hot, around 19 degrees.

It was hard work for me as I am not a natural runner and towards the end I was glad that I had the incentive of raising money for such a great charity to push me across the finish line. The photo shows my wife and I at the finish line. I have raised £300 for CRY (£364.61 with Gift Aid)

My wife was diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White syndrome (WPW) as a child, but lived without symptoms until she was pregnant with our daughter 6 years ago. From that point she gradually became worse and had several serious SVT episodes which resulted in scary ambulance trips to the hospital.

It eventually reached the point where the consultants were convinced that catheter ablation surgery was the only option for her to live a normal life. She had the procedure last October and has been fine since then, thankfully.

Living as a family with something so dangerous hanging over our heads was very traumatic. The thought of our daughter having something similar is terrifying. She was tested as a baby and was all clear; however, I still intend to get her tested again when she is older. Knowing that CRY is out there trying to prevent people from having to be in that situation – and helping those that are – is very reassuring. 

If my efforts can help in some way I feel humbled to be a part of such amazing work.

Chris Markey