This was my third go at the Birmingham Half-Marathon, now renamed as the Great Birmingham Run. Last year I just got within my target of 2 hours, but this year my main goal was to pace the run better and have enough in the tank to get up "Haile's Hill" that even the great Gebrselassie found a struggle near the end of the course.

And I made it... in 2 hours 9 minutes 24 seconds! Here's the full story. www.banting-family.org.uk/personal/great_birmingham_run_2013.html

Once again I was running to raise funds for the Amani Children's Home in Tanzania, which offers the hope of a better life to children who would otherwise have nothing. Earlier this year the youth group from my church visited East Africa and spent a day at Amani. "Each visit re-confirms to me what an amazing job this project is doing," said Cathie, who was one of the leaders of the trip and knows Amani well. I raised over £500 for Amani in 2010 and again in 2012. With your help, I've done even better this year.

Have a look at the Amani website to find out more about how the money will used... then have a look at your credit card, and keep it handy as you click the "Donate now" button.

Thank you for your moral and financial support!

Phil Banting

P.S. If you are a UK income taxpayer, don't forget to enter the relevant details so that Justgiving can recover the tax paid and increase the value of your donation.