So that was the VLM that was. On a beautiful morning we set out for London's 30th and Virgin Money's first marathon. By 9.00a.m the sun had gone to be replaced by warm, heavy rain, which quickly disappeared to leave a muggy and humid atmosphere for the start. We had all sorted out our strategies. Andy B was going to take it easy and get round in a comfortable time but took a bit longer than anticipated in around 5.27. Andrew W met up with the 9 min mile pacer for the blue start and stuck with her until half-way, when realising he was a tad behind the time he wanted, he set of on his own to finish in 4.01.25. He was a bit frustrated at not beating 4 hours but is pleased to have survived his first big outing. Mark W led out the merry band of 8 min milers and was having fun until the Cutty Sark, where he aggravated a knee injury, which made him smile. He paced until half-way, joining up with the pace group from the other start, before passing over the stick and moving to one side for a break. Re-joining the race around 10 minutes later he bounced round the course more sedately and finished in 3.52.14. Not a tragedy but a bit disappointing. The support from Macmillan was fantastic, the pasta party a great success and the recovery centre a welcome relief at the end of the race. Thanks to all who have supported and we wish you all the best as we get ready to follow in the footsteps of Pheidippides inAthens as we celebrate 2,500 years since the first marathon:-)

The last training race has been copmpeted successfully at Taunton on Sunday. It was a beautiful spring day, ideal running conditions and a gently undulating 13.1miles. A walk in the park really!. Andy strolled round with enough confidence to consider pacing London for the 11 minute pace group so we may see him with his pace stick on the telly. Andrew ran a creditable 1.38.01, just 19 seconds off his best time. Not bad considering his training programme so far! Mark was a few seconds behind, his knee held up and with one physio trip to go was looking good for London until an accident at Tae Kwon Do on Sunday resulted in a bit of a bad ankle! Just soft tissue damage and interesting bruising but should be okay. Just keep taking the tablets and strap up well. It's taper time now and all three will be winding down ready for the run round the capital. Thanks to all for your support and hope you've enjoyed reading about some of our exploits. We'll update on how it all goes after the event.

Well I thought it would be time for a VLM update. Training is varied between us. Andrew W has done about enough to get round. Boothy is doing his usual stoic consistent performance and will be in peak condition to set a new London course record for himself this century. Mark W is struggling with ligament damage to the right knee but is strapped up well and ready to pace the 8 min mile group in a sedate 3.30ish sort of time. Some interesting preparation has seen the team off road at the Forest of Dean Trail half marathon, The Chedworth Roman 10 miler and a return to the ADIDAS Trail series in Feb, running in several inches of snow. Throw in the Hogweed Hilly Half and the Taunton Half on April 11th and there's no shortage of race prep. The drinking is going well but the conversion to Guinness has been held off late due to environmental concerns. Andy and Mark will be off to Athens in October to celebrate 2,500 years since the first marathon and contemplating if it should be their last. Who knows. I hope you've enjoyed our journey and look forward to updating you before and after the 30th London Marathon. Until then, thanks for reading and every penny you've donated so far

Well that's all eleven of the world's top ten marathons done and what can we say but thank you for your tremendous support and that we hope it will continue as Andrew joins us for the inaugural Virgin London Marathon as we attempt to complete the primary goal for Macmillan.

So what happened in Honolulu? Well, it was hot, very hot. Starting off at 5.00a.m in the pitch black the 20,000 plus runners assembled at the start in the pitch black with the temperature at 69 degrees already. We felt slightly apprehensive as this a new experience on many levels. It had taken 24 hours door to door to get here, we were neither body clock nor climate adjusted, neither of us had got in much training since New York, Andy through work commitment and Mark through injury; it was a very early start as we had to be on the bus by 2.30a.m and it was going to get hot. It reached 89 degrees by 9.00a.m. It was strange being one of the tallest competitors at 5'10" but with 60% plus of the field travelling from Japan and many of the AJA's (Americans of Japanese Ancestry) historically built it was interesting looking over the sea of heads to the start line.

5.00a.m came and following the national anthem a tremendous bang set of a spectacular firework display to send us on our way. Even in the dark the town looked spectacular. Christmas lights, decorations, sleigh bells, larger than life seasonal figures from santas to snowmen in abundance and people out on the street that early to cheer. The first six miles back throughto Waikiki were run through wide urban areas and then we wet out toward Diamond Head and a bit of a climb up the side of the volcano. Not too tough but could have done without it in this heat. A mainly flat course saw us head east and one hour later as we looped back toward the coast the reward was a spectacular sunrise over the ocean, a memory to cherish and savour as we think back in future years. The water stations were regular and well manned, the crowd support was good and there were some interesting sights such as the supporter on a bike, with a pannier in which a dog, dressed as Santa Claus was being carried in this sweltering heat...only in America. The biggest support was clearly for the Japanese, who must have brought at least two fans for every runner and they entered the spirit of Christmas, many sporting furry hats although not sure gold sequins are good for head dress. Running at a steady pace we eventually wound our way back toward Diamond Head and a fairly tough climb from 23.5 to 24.5 back up the side of the volcan.o...It hurt but the downhill coast and views made it worthwhile. A long straight sweep to the finish, shell garland t-shirt and medal and that was it. Finished and a full range of emotions. Bit of a life plan fulfilled, we could now wear the shirts Andy designed to commemorate the achievement, but he race isn't over. The journey was more important. Along the way we saw some some spectacular sights, we were supported tremendously in our mad cap idea, we've had some great fun, we've been to places we wouldn't normally have gone, we've seen some very good friends suffer, we've  lost people close to us, we've learned that the race isn't necessarily that important, not even with ourselves and we've both learned that when we want to we can achieve something extraordinary. Today was about completion. It was the most painful race either of us have ever done for a variety of reasons but it didn't really matter. Today, no matter how tough it got it was always going to be special and it was.
We have so many people to thank for their ongoing support. Jon, always behind the idea and always a word whenever we've spoken and your fantastic boost, thank you. All you repeat offenders who keep coming back again and again topping up the fund, thank you. All you guys who've been touched and shown us what we're doing has been worthwhile. Friends and colleagues from our present and past who've rallied round in many ways, thank you. The ever presents from the Runners World Wagon Train, your continued encouragement and meet ups have helped enormously, thanks guys. To our families who put up with our comings and goings, many thanks, without your suport it would not have been quite so easy to do!

We're off now to enjoy some more sights, take in some history, rest up and get ready for London...We'll be in touch!!

To help us on our way we have a new member in our fundraising team, Andrew Williamson, who, while still at school, has been accepted to run the first Virgin London Marathon. Andy B got a place in the ballot too and Mark's just got a place too. It seemed only right that we finish off our epic journey at the place where the idea was conceived...London and so we're working hard on pushing to reach our fundraising target by then.

 It doesn't seem like three years since we had that beer generated madcap idea to do the world's top ten marathons by December 2009.(There are 2 lists with 11 different marathons between them Doh!) and now that we've completed New York it seems almost unreal that the journey will soon be over.
Running the 5 boroughs and 5 bridges on Sunday was all the more poignant as the week before had seen a farewell to friend, fellow RD at Somerfieldand colleague at ASDA, Kevin Taggart as he lost his 6 month battle with lung cancer. It was good to join Team Macmillan at this event and remember Kevin as we ran.
The race was not as kind as we'd hoped with Andy slipping to 4.50 from an anticipated 4.30 and Mark's recurring knee injury slowing him down to 3.51. The first 20 miles for both parties was a fantastic experience and seeing the Macmillan supporters at the start of 1st avenue was a tremendous boost. As we struggled in the last 6 miles, especially through mile 23, the lift from the Macmillan crew at 24 gave us the final lift to face the last couple of very painful miles. Our pain, however, is temporary and will soon be gone. Now it's just Honolulu before we head for a lap of honour round London in April. I hope you can join us.

It's been an eventful time for both of us, filled with highs and lows but the good news for Macmillan is that we are still self funding. It's just us turning up, doing the business and hopefully doing some good along the way. We have lost a number of friends and relatives to cancer and some good friends have come through some epic battles. Macmillan have been there for them and so we're here for Macmillan

Hope you like Andy's artistic photo of the bean in Grant Park, the picture of the Verrazano Bridge, which we'll cross in November and that you raised a smile at the effort on Mark's face as he ploughed round Washington. We hope you like some of the other additions too!
Macmillan do some cracking work and again this year many people we know have had some interaction with the Big C. With your help guys, we can help make those interventions more often, more meaningful, and much better.

With London, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Stockholm, Boston, Chicago, New York and Washington behind us we look forward to "What's next" and to making a magical figure for Macmillan Cancer Support.

We hope you like the update.

Best wishes

Andy, Mark and Andrew