I am about to undertake a second run – the full 26.2 mile Brighton Marathon – on 12th April in memory of my dear sister, Gina, who died last year.  Although I have been a keen runner for years this will be my first marathon … at the age of 68. Training is going well, and running to celebrate Gina’s life means that I have plenty of motivation.

In her final years it was heartbreaking to see this glamorous, generous, and gregarious woman diminished and dragged down by dementia.  To help fight this hideous condition, I will be once again running for Alzheimer’s Research.  I want to do my very best for Gina, her four daughters, and nine grandchildren by raising as much as possible for this great charity.  I am doubly motivated to do this because my other sister, Sarah, is also afflicted by dementia. 

This run, which I will be undertaking with my son-in-law, Tony, is a perfect tribute to Gina and Sarah.  We ran the Oxford Half Marathon together in Gina’s memory last year, which spurred us on to attempt the whole 26.2 miles this time.

So, if you can, please lend your support using this link: https://2026brightonmarathonweekend.enthuse.com/pf/joe-brinley-simpson

Thank you so much

Joe