As the first flush of ‘new year, new you’ fades, who’s looking for some motivation to keep going on the fitness front? Or are you a runner who loves the challenge of a big event?

Running in support of a charity is a great inspiration when you hit ‘the wall’, as Dr Clarissa Giebel can attest.

Last year the Liverpool University dementia inequality academic and keen runner completed the London and Chicago marathons, raising £1,000 of vital funds for The Lewy Body Society.

She said: “It was brutal at about 30kms onwards, as it tends to be because it’s a very hard thing. And I just kept thinking: ‘I am doing it for Lewy Body Society, I am doing it for Lewy Body Society,’ to get myself round.”

This year she is pulling on her trainers for us again, this time it is the Amsterdam marathon.

And we hope other runners will be inspired to start pounding the streets in training for an event themselves – or more, if you are a glutton for punishment!

We are lucky enough to have been allocated a spot in the London Marathon this year and look forward to cheering on our entrant and other LBS supporters as they run past the famous landmarks on Sunday, April 22.

The Great North Run, on Sunday, September 8, is the world’s biggest half marathon, with 60,000 runners taking on the 13.1-mile route from Newcastle to South Shields. You will have to be quick off the mark to bag a place though, as the ballot has closed and we only have one LBS spot left.

If you fancy a bit more manageable challenge, we have places available in the ever-popular Manchester 10k on Sunday, May 26.

The Lewy Body Society relies on fundraising from events such as these to support our research programme, helping to improve the diagnosis and treatment of the second most common dementia.

To apply for a place or let us know you are already running in support of The Lewy Body Society, email info@lewybody.org. We provide supporters with a free fundraising pack, including a t-shirt and information leaflets.