Dear students, parents, staff and friends,
Update 17/4/11: Well, here is the news! I ran the marathon in 3 hours 16 minutes so I am absolutely overjoyed. I took 12 minutes off my last time. It was incredibly hot in the last 6-8 miles but the crowds were fantastic at cheering us on. I was overjoyed to see RGS students shouting for me in the crowds, so a massive thank you to all of my support squads (family, friends and students). I am in a celebratory mood. THANK YOU to everyone of you for sponsoring me and motivating me to go the distance. I am extremely grateful.
Update 16/4/11: Dear all, this is my last opportunity before the run to say thank you for all of your support and kind donations. You have all given me the much-needed push to go the distance. Even though this is my 5th run, the nerves are still there and I am doing my best to keep calm. I will be pleased to stop eating the carbs as this has been a mammoth challenge this year! I can't wait for the gun to fire and to get going now. I will update what happens tomorrow night! Fingers crossed.
Update 15/4/11: I have now registered at the Excel centre and have my running number - 53335. I will be wearing the Jane Tomlinson vest (light blue) with my name on the front and Rochester Grammar on the back. I'm doing well with the carbo loading although sick of the sight of bagles, brown rice and pasta!!!
Update 13/4/11: A HUGE thank you to those of you who have sponsored me. It means so much. Touch wood, I think I'm over the shin splint injury, but still intend completing the 26.2 miles on Sunday. Your support is amazing! Apart from a couple of 20 minute jogs now, the next biggest challenge awaits - eating 500g of carbs per day for the next three days. Wish me luck.
Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. As you know, I will be running the 2011 London Marathon for the Jane Tomlinson appeal on behalf of The Rochester Grammar School. Jane Tomlinson is a true inspiration and I feel proud to be raising money for an appeal that represents both children's and cancer charities. Just look her up and be astounded by her achievements in the face of adversity - you can clearly see why our students chose her as the figurehead for their new 'Tomlinson' house. I pledge to do my very best and your support via a donation will give me the incentive to battle through with the training between January and April.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
Thank you so much.
Mr Bassan
