Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my Just Giving page.

I completed the London marathon on April 26th 2015.

It was a wonderful experience. My predictions came true - I was passed by the chicken at the 18 mile point. I ran most of the way with six people dressed as rhinos. The high spots on the costume front were the aptly named Testicle Man who was raising money to combat testicular cancer, and the ostrich who inadvertently revealed on the final leg that he had decided the thing was best completed without underwear. 

My own performance started well. The first 13 miles were great - I did them in 2 hours 20. Unfortunately the second half led to injuries and I hobbled down the Mall as otherwise I'd have had to roll. My total time was 5 hrs 32.

Once you stop, take it from me, everything seizes and you can't move at all. I looked like Jack Sparrow, only less lively, and I craved noodles.

Plusses - the atmosphere, the crowds, the camaraderie, the setting, crossing Tower Bridge, the start, the finish, the sense of having done it, Cancer Research team cheering us all on, everyone cheering us all on, not actually being tired, racing a rhino to the finish, seeing my friend Mike waving me on in the Isle of Dogs, and having "What a Beautiful Day," playing at top volume through my earphones just as I thought I'd got nothing left.

The minuses - the possession of feet that are the same age as the rest of me, and the very modest sense of humiliation at being overtaken by a lighthouse. Said feet were perfectly happy to be pounded at the pavement for a couple of hours but after five hours they were asking very loudly for a nice pair of slippers and an hour in front of Jack Bauer. It is, though, amazing what the human body can do fuelled by 18 jelly babies.

Thank you so much for all your generous sponsorship. I'll leave the page up for a few days in case anyone else would like to sponsor Cancer Research. Cancer Research really does prolong lives - it's made a massive difference in my working lifetime. 

Donating through Just Giving is simple, fast and totally secure. Just Giving will not pass on your contacts or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for Cancer Research.

Thank you SO MUCH. Mary