Dear All,

I thought that I had hung up my running shoes, for this year anyhow..........

However, in a moment of weakness, my charity (Merlin) offered me a place in December (after assuring me I was 10th on their holding list & so had relatively little chance of getting in!). I even did the decent thing of not entering until the ballot had closed with > 200,000 entries received. Oh um!

At the rapidly deteriorating age of 45 (knee-joints at least), I'm attempting my fourth consecutive London Marathon.

In 2007 I came ~ 10,000th (out of 35,000), in 2008 I came ~12,000th & last year (suffering cramp for the last 10 miles) I finished ~ 17,000th.  My son is studying sequence theory: can you guess what he has predicted for my 2010 time?! As long as I beat the man in the deep sea diving-suit I'll be happy.

Any fancy dress ideas would be gladly received - if of the non-chafing variety! I have been vetoed from wearing a mankini though!

Over the previous three years, thanks to your help,  I have raised £8k for charities (losing a combined total of five toe-nails in the process - too much detail?!). To spur me on (and to prevent me bottling-out) I am committed to raising money for MERLIN (disaster medical response charity)- which is a very worthy cause (see their website at www.merlin.org.uk). They are one of the twelve organisations that work under the umbrella of the Disasters Executive Committee. As you would expect, MERLIN is currently stretched assisting in Haiti after the earthquake there, but they also have major health and medical commitments ongoing in 20 other countries. 

I must admit that I am a long way short of the necessary fitness levels and the recent bit of snow on the ground has given me ample excuses to avoid doing many miles. In preparation, I hope to do the Wokingham half-marathon at the end of February, which should spur me on - by sheer panic alone!

I would greatly appreciate any support (& sponsorship) you could give me.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: MERLIN will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

Many thanks,

Clive