Old Brooksy's on the scrounge again!

C'mon! Give Sobell House Hospice some of your hard-earned cash and it will encourage me to run some more miles. Last year, I ran a total of 666.2 miles training for, and including, three events: The Carterton 10K, the Blenheim 7K and the Dublin Marathon. Through the generous donations of friends, family, clients and colleagues I raised over £1000 for Sobell House Hospice Charity. Knowing it was going to great cause motivated me all the way to the finishing line of the Dublin Marathon, therefore I've decided to carry on raising money for them this year.

Because I want to raise even more money for them, I plan to do even more running, starting with the Hotelympia 10K in Feb, The Reading Half Marathon in March, the Carterton 10K in May and then back to Dublin in October to see if I can achieve my sub-5-hour Marathon goal. I may fit in the odd extra event if it takes my fancy!

Please sponsor me! I know for many people this will be the second, third, fourth, or even fifth time you have sponsored me on a daft activity for a great cause. Believe me, I do not take it for granted; the charities and I greatly appreciate your support.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Sobell House Hospice Charity 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.

Thank You!

- STOP PRESS! Race Reports

Dublin Marathon, 27th October 2008

Completed in 5 hours, 44 minutes, 29 seconds. A new personal-best ... 2 minutes quicker than last year - YAY!

Carterton 10K, 11th May 2008

Well I had every intention of finally beating the 1-hour mark for this distance after only being 2-minutes outside it back in Jan. However, the sun must have thought otherwise as I had a very uncomfortable run in the relentless heat. I crossed the line at 1h, 7m, 36s. Well done to Pete & Mikey who smashed the hour marker. Hard lines to John who had to pull out with injury. Thanks to everyon that joined us at the BBQ after ... fantastic!

Sport Relief Mile, 16th March 2008

Well 6-miles in fact, and cross-country to boot. Not quite what I had in mind but good fun none the less. No official time; no clock could run that long ;-)

Reading Half-Marathon, 2nd March 2008

More than 16,000 runners entered this ... I'm pleased to say that I wasn't last! Great day running with friends and supported by my family. Official time 2h, 32m, 31s

Hotelympia 10K, 17th Feb 2008

There was a field of 750 runners, mostly from company-teams. In our "Brakes Fresh Runners" team we had about 40'odd. My official time was 1h, 1m, 50s - Not quite my 1-hour goal but still a personal best.

Answering my sponsors comments:

Linda, you're a star as always, thanks for your support!

Jon, I did my level-best to drink for all of us ... thoughts of last year were often with me on my way round. Cheers!

Don, Well having downed a few schooners with you in Oz (amongst the many places that we've enjoyed a bevy), you're probably right about having a great experience in Dublin. After a marathon it's called "carb replacement" and I need to replace more than most!

Terry, Cheers mate. You smashed me at the Hotelympia 10K so I know you'd have no problem with a full marathon ... let me know when you're doing one. Hope all is well in the world of Brakes.

Leigh, it amazes me I made it this far so thanks for the comment. Hope the kids are behaving themselves, especially Craig!

Mel, quite like the semi-retired idea ... but not sure about the "old boy" descriptive; running makes you younger you know.

A Mad Irishwoman, having met you I know this to be true! Can't wait to join you again in Dublin for a pre-race pint (and maybe even a post-race pint ... or even a during-race pint!) Cheers!

Simon, It surprises most people that I can drag this obese body round at anything above crawling speed. Thanks for the support and the comment ;-)

Sadie, you're far too generous and the only person to sponsor me twice on one page! Hope everyone else does the same ... Sobell House will be very pleased ;-)

David, Huge thanks and helping you was the least I could do for someone that can play squash for as long as it takes to run a Marathon. Good luck with your future adventures!

Pete, Well done to you and Keith at Reading. Thanks for the support and hope to see you at the Carterton 10K.

Jo, Many thanks, had a great day in Reading thanks, time listed above. Sorry that John couldn't make it.

Lesley Campbell (off-line sponsor) - Thanks again for your support

Gareth & Fiona, you are stars as always ... Many thanks. Have you got your entries in for Dublin yet? Look forward to running it with you.

Nickie, you and your team are simply fantastic. Many thanks for your generosity!

Thanks Steve, most people think I only drink beer, whisky and a bit of wine, now I'll have to add Cognac to my list of vices, not to mention putting out small table fires!

Keith, Thank you ... it's not luck I need ... it's training ... and weight-loss ... etc.

Phil, I'm pleased to report there are many pubs en-route and drinking beer is a bit like carb-loading.

Dad (off-line sponsor) - Cheers Dad!

JK, Great tip, but I think it could be considered cheating ... How about doing the London - Brighton? Might be up for that ;-)

The Hills, Thanks for sponsoring me again, I am also pleased to be carrying on this year, but next time just get me certified.

Kim, Thank you ... See if you can talk some of your team in to it.

Sadie, Will do and Thanks again

Tracey, Look forward to seeing you and Chris in Dublin. Please wait for me at the end ... it might be a long wait!