Way back in 2013 when I decided to compete in a large number of long distance races in fancy dress to raise money for Kidscape I asked my son, Jack, for his thoughts on a possible costume.

It was his obsession with Star Wars which therefore resulted in me clattering all round the country dressed as a Stormtrooper.

Last year Jack took part for the first time in the Great South Mini Run in Portsmouth, as I have done the Great South Run (10 miles) a few times before. The Mini Run is for children aged 3-8, and is a 1.5km course which starts at the same place as the main run does the following day.

Jack has been entered into the Mini Run again this year, and I shall again be running with him. I am delighted to confirm that he and I will both be in costume. I will, of course, be appearing as an Imperial Stormtrooper as usual, but I will be joined by none other than Darth Vader himself!

We bought, and then customised a Darth Vader costume for Jack, and last weekend he successfully ran a 1.5km stretch of the Hull Parkrun in East Park, Hull. He then went on to run/walk a further kilometre of the course, despite the costume being very challenging. I was extremely proud of the effort he made and of his achievement, and have full confidence in him for this weekend.

Some photographs of him in costume taking part in the Hull Parkrun on October 18th are below.

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