From the Severn
to the City

This is a challenging trail run through the Shropshire Hills Area of Natural Beauty. It's a 26 mile run with 1000 metres of elevation. Rory lived with his family in the Shropshire countryside. It feels like a fitting place to start the challenge.

The first running marathon starts in Pendeford, Wolverhampton. This where Rorz grew up. We spent many nights out in Wolverhampton as teenagers, ending up at our friend Stu's house just down the road. Leaving Wolverhampton the route takes me out to Codsall, Albrighton, Shifnal and into Telford, my hometown. We head past Thomas Telford School, where we spent our formative years (more on this tomorrow) and then down through Telford, past my mum's house in Dawley, and on to Ironbridge. Rorz and Laura first lived in Ironbridge when they moved in together. It's a beautiful and historic place, packed with memories. It's where Rorz and Laura first told me they were expecting the boys. I'll finish on the bridge.

Day 2 is the swim. This will be the hardest leg apart from the last. 10000m is considered the marathon distance of swimming and is tough at the best of times, but I'll be fatigued from day 1. Luckily, I'll have memories to spur me on. The swim will take place in the pool at Thomas Telford School. We met here, bonded in English class, and Rorz loved it so much he came back here to teach. It's where his path crossed with Laura's for the umpteenth time and they got together over a late night game of scrabble. The pool arrived late in our time at school, but it was crucial to the genesis of our friendship group / football team, the C Team. Without the pool, there would be no Planty, the pool manager. Without Planty reluctantly agreeing to escort us to games, there would be no C Team. I'll be taking 400 turns in that pool. Wish me luck!

Day 3 sees me row 26 miles on a rowing machine. This is the middle leg of the water triple header although I'll be firmly on dry land. I'll be at Shrewsbury High School. Rorz was loved as a teacher there and the tributes from former students are simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking. He combined a lightning wit and capacity for care that most teachers, including me, could only dream of. I rowed for a year at university but I'm pretty sure we were terrible and in my second year I quit so I could dedicate myself to the darts team. This could be fine or it could break me.

Physically, despite my arms and back being completely wiped out from day 3, 26 miles downstream on a kayak will be the easiest leg of the adventure. I'll be heading down the river Severn from Shrewsbury, back through Ironbridge, and on to Bridgnorth. This is me heading to London baby! It could however be the most dangerous leg, depending on what the water is doing. I'm going to assume that it'll be fine. I didn't do capsize drills at scout camp for nothing.

The bike ride from Bridgnorth to London will be well over 100 miles, which is the generally held 'marathon' of the bike world. I have done this distance before but the cumulative effect of the days before mean this is a complete unknown. I harboured dreams of getting Rorz into cycling, but when it came to sport football was the only game in town.

The last leg is the legendary London marathon. It needs no introduction. I would love to beat my previous marathon time of 3hrs 55 but I expect it will be a case of getting round by any means necessary. I will be proud to do this in honour of Rorz.