Half marathon Mark takes on Paris run for Wolverhampton abuse charity

In truth, it had started last May when I signed up to take part for The Haven Wolverhampton, a charity which, for more than 50 years, has been supporting vulnerable women and children who have been subjected to domestic abuse. History was made as I apparently became the first person to represent the charity on the international stage.

In return for Haven paying my entry into the race - and supplying me with a race T-shirt - I was tasked with raising £250. Thanks to the generosity of friends, family and colleagues, donations stood at more than £420, which will  go some way towards its work in helping make women and children's lives safer. And it was this goal that spurred me on when things got tough throughout the race, especially as the organisers had the foresight to include the hilliest parts of the course with just three kilometres to go.

One family member even donated on the basis they thought it was a full marathon, so I promised I would compete the run and then do a lap of honour.

Training took a back step while a 10k Race The Lights in Blackpool took preference. Evidently there's a theme of running where there's a famous tower. Expect my next challenge to be in Kuala Lumpur, Chicago or Toronto.

On the eve of travelling came the news the Eurostar was out of action due to an unexploded bomb being found at Gare du Nord station. It would have been just my luck to get so far and then have the opportunity taken away. Fingers, and everything else was crossed as we flew out the next day from Birmingham to Charles de Gaulle.

To get to the start line felt as though I'd already done an obstacle course with the number of hurdles and barriers to negotiate beforehand, with registration and insurance, and that was even before collecting my race number and commemorative T-shirt on the day prior to the race. 

And then there was finding the start on the Sunday morning. From our hotel in Bercy, we were able to easily access the Metro at St Emilion, taking us to the St Jacques departure point at Boulevard Saint-Germain.

Timings were staggered according to ability - the elite athletes were out on the track at 8am - as well as due to the numbers taking part. When you consider I was entrant 49,105, you get an idea of the sheer scale of the race, and the amount participating. 

For me, the start line was a grey area -  quite literally - as that was the colour zone for those expected to finish in under two hours. I had been tempted to start from the 1h 50 zone -  and, in truth, secretly hoped I could make that time. What I didn't want was for those anticipating completing the course in 10 minutes later than myself to then overtake me en route.

As it turned out, my own departure time, scheduled for 10am, actually came half an hour later. Around five miles in, I went past the two-hour pacemaker, still expecting to be passed late, on, but managed to finish in 16 seconds over one hour 50, only two minutes off my best half marathon time - achieved six years previously when I was the right side of the age of 50.

But what an atmosphere on the way round. There were thousands shouting encouragement -  I was personally given an 'Allez Monsieur' - as well as good luck banners, my favourite being one that said, in French, '17k to go until cake'. One spectator held up a card stating 'No pain, no gain' - but that was no time to be thinking about bread, I thought. And there were magic mushrooms to spur runners on - pictures of the ones used in Mario Kart, which we were encouraged to tap for a boost.

There were musicians on every corner, from live singers, to brass bands and drummers - and I would argue these had more stamina than me. I was only on the road for under two hours, while they performed for the duration of the race, which ended at Place de la Bastille. The route even took the runners through a road tunnel illuminated with the sights and sounds of a mobile DJ. It didn't take in the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysee and Arc de Triomphe, but we had plenty of time to enjoy those sights - and more, including the impressive Notre Dame Cathedral, during the rest of our stay in the capital. And my other half accomplished her own milestone by scaling the heights of the aforementioned tower and Arc. A triumph indeed.

But I'll leave the last word to the recipients. Anna Pendlebury, fundraising and grants lead at the Haven Wolverhampton, said: "The money raised will make a real difference in the lives of the women and children at the Haven Wolverhampton. This funding could help provide emergency accommodation, essential items, and vital support services like counselling and therapeutic interventions. 

"For those escaping domestic abuse, this is a lifeline that ensures they have a safe space to rebuild their lives and recover from their traumatic experiences. Every pound raised brings hope and security to victims and survivors, and we are incredibly grateful to Mark for going the extra mile and taking on this challenge for The Haven."

Contact The Haven Wolverhampton via its 24-hour helpline on 08000 194400, or email www.havenrefuge.org.uk