With only 43 days (and counting down) until the start of the London Olympics 2012, sports fever is mounting all over the UK. In recent weeks many of us will have witnessed the Olympic torch as it has made its way around Britain, being carried by hundreds of different people and to countless places. Its final destination is the opening Olympics ceremony on July 27.

We are also delighted to see news of another Olympics relay, billed as The Real Relay. Raising funds for the charity CHICKS, which provides free respite breaks for disadvantaged children from across the UK, the Real Relay is currently taking place in the UK.

The aim of the Endurancelife Real Relay is to follow the entire route of the official Olympic Torch around the British Isles in one continuous non-stop journey, running every step of the way.

Starting from Land’s End at midnight on Monday, May 28, 10 days behind the official Olympic Torch, the Real Relay will involve hundreds of runners running through the day and night on an 8000-mile mission to reach London in time for the Olympic Games opening ceremony.

Hundreds of runners have already signed up but there are still stages that need runners. If you take part you’ll be helping achieve one of the greatest Olympic endeavours of all time – and raising funds for charity.

OutdoorLook team member FionaOutdoors joins the Real Relay

It was a spur of the moment decision. Made this morning actually. A triathlon friend of a hill running friend sent out an email pointing out a gap in the relay in Scotland. The gap is 11 miles along the West Highland Way from Inveranan to Tyndrum.Tomorrow at 5pm. The start is only about 45 minutes of a drive from my home and so it seemed rude not to agree.

I signed up, gave my donation to CHICKS and then told my partner I might need some assistance by car. He would run it with me but he has an injured calf muscle just now.

Eleven miles is still at the limits of my running ability but runners can run up to 10 minute miles and I see this as a pace I can sustain for 11 miles. It’s an off-road route and so I’ll be wearing my trusty Inov-8 off-road trainers. (I still don’t have the barefoot miles under my belt to run in the Merrell Pace Gloves.)

Within 30 minutes of signing up, the runner that I will be handing the relay baton to at Tyndrum got in touch via Facebook. Then I contacted the person who will be running in the relay before me.

It all feels a little surreal and I am not entirely sure of the route although I’m hoping for waymarkers on the West Highland Way. I will reach the village of Crianlarich at the half way point and so I hope my partner will be able to give me a little support.

There is a good chance, too, that I’ll find a triathlon or running friend to join me on this section. There are still some stages that require runners so if you have a free hour or two and fancy a run in the next few weeks, check out the Real Relay

I’ll report back on Monday to say how I got on. I just hope the rain stays away!