Story
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #ff0000; font-family: Arial;">I am running the London Marathon this year to raise money for Help the Hospices. They provide care and support for people at the end of life - in the UK alone 250,000 people are treated by the charity each year.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #ff0000; font-family: Arial;">I have set myself a 12-week training programme and am targeting a finishing time of 4 hours. Having done the same marathon in 2006, I know it will be tough but rewarding.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #ff0000; font-family: Arial;">More importantly, I have committed to raising £2,000 for the charity, so am grateful for any support that you can give. Thank you very much</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Arial;">Pre-marathon update on 16 April 2011:</span></strong></p>
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<div><span style="color: #0000ff;"><span style="color: #0000ff;">I am still competing ! </span></span></div>
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<div><span style="color: #ff6600;"><span style="color: #0000ff;">I have run 412 miles since setting up the page and feel as ready as I'll ever be. I am aiming for a time that starts with a 4 …. (which will improve on my 6 hour effort in 2006).</span></span></div>
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<div><span style="color: #ff6600;"><span style="color: #0000ff;">Very excited and looking forwarad to it .....</span></span></div>
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<div><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I finished and loved every minute of it. The crowds were awesome - lots of noise and encouragement. <span style="color: #000000;"><font size="2">
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<p>My finishing time was 4.26, which is roughly where I thought I would be and not bad considering the heat - I heard one claim that it was the hottest marathon for nearly 20 years. This placed me at 15,332 out of 38,000 runners. I also shaved 90 minutes off my PB…..</p>
<p>I was particularly pleased to outrun the Jimmy Saville impersonator at 15 miles who was smoking a huge cigar. I also left Calum Best for dead after about 6 miles, I think he was distracted by the screaming girls …. The official marathon website shows that I beat Iwan Thomas MBE by 12 seconds - not everyone can say they've outsprinted an Olympic champion…..</p>
<p>More importantly, thank you to all those that sponsored me and gave messages of support. I raised £2,500 for <em>Help the Hospices </em>which is down to you</p>
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