Hope 24 Challenge 2 July 2022 - Somerville Heart Foundation

Let us introduce you to Richard Pedrick who is taking on the challenge of Hope 24 on 2^nd July to raise funds and awareness of Somerville Heart Foundation.

Hope 24 is no easy course as it is quite hilly trail course. It’s really going to be a big challenge to run a total of 100 miles, hopefully it won’t be too hot. It’s 5-mile loops of the Newnham Park Estate, so I just need to complete 20 laps!

I was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve at about 18 months old when my GP suspected he could hear something not quite right. I have been looked after ever since by the Heart Specialist’s at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth. I now have check up’s every 2 years. So far everything is still OK and hope this will remain the same for many years to come.

I have decided to fundraise for Somerville Heart Foundation to help raise awareness of congenital heart conditions as not all people born with a heart condition are as fortunate as me and require a lot more care and attention.

I started running in 2012 as realised that I was getting very unfit. I started on the couch to 5k programme (which I highly recommend). My first Marathon was in Bournemouth, October 2014 in a time of 03:30:53. My favourite marathon was Paris in April 2018, as that was first time I managed to go sub 3 hours in 02:59:51 and it had a great atmosphere.

After completing my 100^th Marathon on 11^th June, Hope 24 is my next challenge – completing 100 miles within 24 hours. Hopefully all the training I have put in so far this year will make this possible and running for this amazing charity will give me the added focus required to get the job done!

I would be most grateful if you could support me in this challenge by sharing my story far and wide and donating via my Just Giving RichardHope24 page. Whatever you give will go straight into supporting young people and adults born with heart conditions.