Thanks to everyone for your amazing support. When all the pledges come in, I’ll have almost doubled my pledge to Winston's Wish!  The race, alas, didn’t go quite as smoothly as the fundraising …

I was up most of Saturday night/Sunday morning with a gastric bug. I couldn’t face breakfast on Sunday morning, and started the race with a high temperature (thank goodness for the rain!) and an empty stomach.  I was in physical (and psychological) distress for the first four or five miles and then, after an emergency toilet break, the toxins subsided, and miles seven to 14 were almost enjoyable.  It was great to see my 'kerb crew' at mile 14. Only problem was, I was well behind my target pace, and fell in with the slower crowd.  My legs were empty, too. The Isle of Dogs was congested with slow-moving traffic, and my target time became clearly unachievable.

It was a tremendous boost to see the fundraising team from Winston’s Wish at mile 21, and my kerb crew again. After a five-mile battle with Tigger (I’d already conceded defeat to the superior speed of Orinoco Womble) I crossed the line at 5h 42m.

I’m still feeling queasy, and disappointed with my time, but, considering I nearly didn’t make it past the starting line, I’m glad to have made the finish!