Thats it done! I ran the marathon on 01st April 2006 around Shaibah Logistic's Base, out here in Iraq.

I ran 3 x 13.5 km circuits (40kms) and then an additional 2.5kms to take the total to over 42kms-26.2 miles.

It took my skinny legs 3 hours 9 minutes and 12 seconds (including an enforced dash off the route to find a portaloo, due to something that I had eaten the night before disagreeing with my stomach-thankfully one trip put an end to the potential crisis).

DONATIONS CAN BE MADE UP UNTIL THE END OF APRIL WHEN THIS WEB PAGE EXPIRES.

I am currently in Iraq at Shaibah Logistic's Base (just outside Basrah city) with A Sqn, The Queen's Royal Lancers who are manning a Squadron of Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicles.

Some background as to why I ran this marathon:
In 2000 I spent 6 months teaching at the monastery and its school. I then returned to visit in November of 2004 during my leave, having returned from my first tour in Iraq.
I found that the children and teachers were as ridiculously charming and hospitable as ever. However, in the four years that I had been away, very little had changed at the school as far as improvements in resourses or infrastructure were concerned.

St Mary's school has about 1500 pupils, boys and girls and also runs evening classes for adults who are catching up on their education that they may have missed when they were younger. The education of Ethiopia's children is vital in order to allow the country and its people to break away from the heritage of poverty and suffering that has so afflicted Ethiopia for many years.

Please dig deep and sponsor me online. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Ampleforth Abbey acting on behalf of St Mary's School as a registered 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.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.

James