Canine Partners

Chris Taylor is putting his love of running to the test, taking on three half marathons and one full marathon to raise money for Canine Partners.

In the past, Chris has completed other running challenges for various charitable causes. After reading about Canine Partners, he realised the importance of fundraising for the charity.

“I was blown away and I think it’s brilliant what Canine Partners and the dogs do,” said Chris.
“So many people would feel so different without this and I feel it is very important that people raise funds.”

After not running for a while, Chris’ fundraising efforts have been spurred on by wanting to get back into his old running routines. When he feels a lack of motivation, he remembers the people whose lives are transformed with the help of a Canine Partners dog.

“Motivation is the hardest thing,” said Chris. “When I read about the things that people have gone through it makes me realise that anyone can do anything if they have the guidance and help of beautiful people.”

Chris has already taken part in the Loughborough half marathon, which he completed in two hours and six minutes. The Leeds and Derby half marathons are next on the calendar, where Chris is determined to beat his personal best of one hour and 52 minutes.

The biggest challenge for Chris will be the Leicester Marathon in October, with a target of completing it in just over four hours.

“As if 25 miles of undulating, rolling hills and country side then a twisty-turny route through the city centre wasn’t enough they then make you run up New Walk for mile 26, which is the steepest hill ever,” said Chris.

Chris finds running quite therapeutic ‘despite the pain and loss of toenails’, so after completing the Leicester Marathon he then plans to sign up for a ‘recovery race’!

How to support Chris on his amazing challenge

Want to sponsor Chris? Visit his JustGiving page or text CTCP 85 to 70070 to donate £5 to Canine Partners.

Looking to take on your own marathon challenge to raise vital funds?

Chris says the key is in the training:
“I left a large four month long gap between Derby and Leicester to prepare physically and mentally for 26 miles. What I usually do when preparing for a half marathon is run two 8-10 miles a week and then a 15 mile run once every couple of weeks. Preparing for a full marathon is very different because the training runs have to be longer.”

If you want to take on a challenge to raise vital funds for Canine Partners, find out more here.