Former OD Society President Ian Smith (L, 1983-1989) will be taking on the '3 Countries' Marathon Challenge alongside his wife Niki on October 11 2026. The route will begin in Germany, before following the shores of Lake Constance through Austria, looping through Switzerland, and back to Austria. Ian admits that his sporting ability at school was "pretty unremarkable," as he was largely connected with "standing" (cricket - mainly fielding on the boundary), sitting (rowing) or lying down (shooting). 

His greatest athletics triumph was running (and briefly getting lost during) the Dunelm Run in 1987. However, at the age of 55, he has decided now Is the right time to run his first ever marathon and raise some much needed money for Prostate Cancer UK, Pancreatic Cancer UK and the Alzheimer's Society – the JustGiving link is https://www.justgiving.com/team/ian-and-niki-3-countries and any donations, no matter how small, would be very gratefully received.