DUBLIN MARATHON UPDATE

** DUBLIN CITY MARATHON PICS NOW ONLINE **

The marathon is complete, we all made it around the streets of Dublin.  The weather was excellent, maybe even a little too good - cool, with sun shining but a strong wind at times.

I will get some pictures on here as soon as I can, meanwhile, here is the official times:

GREAT NORTH RUN COMPLETE

Eight of us took to the streets in Newcastle in the largest Half Marathon in the world.  We all managed to finish - and a big thank you to everyone who has sponsored us so far.  The running doesn't end here for three - Sam, Mark and Matthew are running in the Dublin City Marathon on Monday 29th October - so if you haven't sponsored us and would like to, then please free...

The Great North Run official times and positions:

* No official time recorded.

THANK YOU FOR VISITING OUR FUNDRAISING PAGE

After the success of last years event, we are all taking part in the Great North Run 2007 to help raise some funds and awareness for our chosen charity C-R-Y [Cardiac Rick in the Young].

Unfortunately not all 7 of the Nicholson siblings will be taking part, only 6 - as Paul now lives and works in Hong Kong with his wife Marie.

The Great North Run is the largest half marathon in the world with over entrants in excess of 50,000.

Thanks to everyone who has sponsored us in the past, and hope you will again - it is a fantastic cause, and would like to give it the support it deserves.

Thanks for visiting, Matt Nicholson

MEET THE 2007 TEAM

Sam NICHOLSON (38)
Sam is working hard to improve on his pace from last year - the trio of Sam, Jonny and Andy will be competitive this year!!
Sam will also be running his first marathon; the Dublin Marathon on 29th October - so watch out Jonny and Andy.
[GNR'06: 2h 15m 31s ~ 19,690th]

Davy NICHOLSON (37)
When Davy said he was taking part in last years event, he had his critics, his silenced them on the day - and will be out to smash the time he set last year!  Priory #1 will be to beat Carol Vorderman again!!
[GNR'06: 3h 11m 03s ~ 34,843rd]

Mark NICHOLSON (33)
Mark has become progressively faster over the half marathon distance since he started running, and I am sure he will want to cut some more time off his pace - maybe event challenge the trio of Sam, Jon and Andy?
Mark will also be running the Dublin Marathon on 29th October, his second marathon.
[Silverstone'06: 2h 30m 13s]
[GNR'06: 2h 23m 18s ~ 23,869th]
[Dublin Marathon'06: 5h 10m 57s]

Jessica Nicholson (30)
This will be the first time Jess has run a half marathon.  She is training hard, and could be the surprise package this year!  She clocked a decent time in the Great BUPA Ireland Run back in April and will want to build on that.
[Great Ireland Run 10k: 1h 05m 25s]

Jon NICHOLSON (30)
Jonny will definitely be out to stay ahead of both Sam and Andy Williamson (whom he beat by only 8 seconds) - but can he maintain the pace again Sam's marathon training?
[GNR'06: 2h 15m 29s ~ 19,666th]

Matthew NICHOLSON (26)
This will be my fifth half marathon, and will be aiming to break into the top 1,000 runners this year - won't be easy, but will give it a go! 
I am also taking part in the Dublin Marathon on 29th October, my third [day after my birthday, boo!]
After the disappointment of injuring myself before the Belfast Marathon this year I will be working hard to hit my 3h 30m goal.
[GNR'06: 1h 33m 53s ~ 1,037th]
[Dublin Marathon'06: 3h 43m 10s]
[Silverstone'07: 1h 33m 53s] *yes, exactly same time as GNR'06
[Belfast Marathon'07: 3h 53m 04s]

Rebecca GIBSON (24)
Becky is another half marathon novice, but is keen to set a good time after her performance in the Great BUPA Ireland Run back in April.  She also ran the first leg of the Belfast Marathon relay in May.  But can she keep up with the pace?
[Great Ireland Run 10k: 1h 03m 00s]

Ruth NICHOLSON (22)
Even at 22, she is still the baby of the family - a fine display last year by Ruth [running with Davy and Paul], but will want to go one better this year and finish in under 3 hours.
[GNR'06: 3h 11m 03s ~ 34,844th]

WHY C-R-Y?

When it came time to choose a charity to fundraise for, we wanted to pick one that had a personal meaning to us; therefore we decided to dedicate this fundraising to John McCALL.

We got to know John very well through Armagh's rugby community and his family circle.

John was an amazingly talented young man, whose life was cut short at 18 by a heart condition. John was gifted in many areas; most significantly with his artistic flair and raw skill on the rugby field.  Even for a man of 18, he had achieved so much in the sport; Captaining his Royal School 1st XV side to Ulster Schools Cup victory and going on to represent Ireland in the U19 Rugby World Cup in South Africa.

MORE INFO ON C-R-Y

Every week 8 'apparently' fit and healthy young people die in the UK from undiagnosed heart conditions. 

Hundreds of young people die unexpectedly of heart defects every year. C-R-Y works to raise awareness of Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) and campaigns for proactive screening of young people. It offers help and support to those who have suffered a loss, provides medical information, carries out Mobile Cardiac Screening and ECG Testing Programmes within local communities and contributes to medical research.

For further info on C-R-Y, visit http://www.c-r-y.org.uk/

SPONSORSHIP

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Cardiac Risk in the Young 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.

So please sponsor us now!

Regards

Matthew NICHOLSON