<p>****UPDATE: While I may have gone well over the target time I set for myself, your donations and support helped me through a difficult final 10 miles on Sunday. Thanks very much. I have the medal here to remind me of the experience, and Gol will be grateful for the money you've donated. My finish time was 3:42, well outside my 3:00 - 3:10 estimation, but it's not easy to foresee the many challenges a marathon throws at you! I'm still pleased that I got a place at London and I'll be back for more in October (Snowdonia)!****</p> <p>Ahh, London 2012.</p> <p>Seats for the athletics at the London Olympics are as rare as rocking-horse poop but I entered the ballot for the London marathon instead and it turned out alright. I'm in.</p> <p>I don't have a lofty target but after hearing about a local Welsh charity I thought that if I could raise a few quid for them, it'd go a long way.</p> <p>Check out <a title="Gol Cymru" href="http://www.golcymru.org/gol_home_english.html">Gol Cymru's website</a> if you've got a minute.</p> <p>To sum up, it's a group of Wales football fans who travel thousands of miles to follow their team. Despite the perpetual disappointment of not qualifying for major tournaments, they give something back to communities in countries they visit by donating to orphanages and other local projects. Fantastic ambassadors for Wales.</p> <p>I know other people who have to raise thousands of pounds for charity just to take part in London marathon and if you know one of them, sponsor them. But if you were thinking about supporting me round the 26.2miles then please feel free to donate any pence or pounds you've got down the back of your sofa/ bank account.</p> <p>Also, I'm aiming to finish in under three hours. Wish me luck.</p> <p>Thanks</p> <p>Doug</p>