<p>UPDATE: Sunday 22nd April, 2012</p> <p>So, it's a week after the event and I'm feeling great. Not a pain or achy leg in sight!!</p> <p>I completed the marathon in 4 hours, 14 minutes and 24 seconds. For a first marathon, especially on a hilly course, I am so pleased with my time.</p> <p>The race was difficult, especially during the later miles! But I didn't stop and pushed all the way through to the end. I know my Gran would have been proud.</p> <p>I would like to thank everyone that has donated; this cause means so much to me. I have reached my target, but why stop there? Any more donations will be greatly appreciated!</p> <p>Marathon done for this year...time for a head start on next years. Got a decent time to beat :)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>UPDATE: Saturday 30th March, 2012</p> <p>After recieiving the news of my Gran's continued illness I made a private decision to withdraw myself from Brighton Marathon. However, following dicussions with family and close friends I have been reassured that this is something my Gran would never accept and would never agree to.</p> <p>My Gran passed away peacefully on Monday 26th March. She had an amazing love for animals and one of my fondest memories of childhood is the amount of animals and pets we cared for as a family (although we did have to keep the goldfish away from my Mum). She was also so pleased that I had accepted a volunteer position at ZSL London Zoo.</p> <p>With all this in mind I WILL run Brighton Marathon and raise money for animal conservation and preservation of their habitats, but I'll be running for her. Every inch, foot and mile will be for her.</p> <p>Thank you to everyone who has sponsored to fair; you donation means even more to me now.</p> <p>***</p> <p>Hello all,<br> <br>Thank you for visiting my JustGiving fundraising page.<br> <br>After years of saying, 'I'm going to run a marathon this year', 'I'll definitely run a marathon next year', I've finally put my name down for my first marathon! I will be running 26.2 miles in the Brighton Marathon on Sunday 15th April for the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).<br> <br>ZSL is a charity organisation who are devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. With animal extinction rates 1000 times higher than the natural level, over half of all known species could become extinct within the next century. The work of organisations such as ZSL are important now more than ever. <br> <br>As well as running ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, ZSL manage and contribute to conservation programmes in the UK and in over 50 countries worldwide. These include conserving the Amur Leopards of Russia and Asian Elephant right through to the Aye-Ayes of Madagascar and Ghost Frogs of South Africa.<br> <br>In London and Whipsnade Zoos, ZSL has valuable assets which enables captive breeding programmes and research into animal science and veterinary care. They are also excellent platforms to communicate important conservation issues to visitors and help educate future generations in the importance of conserving our world and its wildlife. In 2012 ZSL London Zoo will see construction begin on a state of the art enclosure and hub to coincide with an on-going campaign to save the Sumatran Tigers, numbers of which have dropped by a massive 95% in the wild.<br> <br>For more information visit <a href="http://www.zsl.org/">http://www.zsl.org/</a><br> <br>I have pledged to raise &pound;500 to be donated towards such conservation programmes and developments. However, I am looking to raise at least &pound;750 for this on-going and vitally important cause. Every penny counts and all donations will be greatly appreciated.<br> <br>Hope to see you in Brighton!<br> <br>Danny</p>