A massive thank you to everyone who has donated and supported us all. We don't have a final total yet but we have raised approximately £2050 including all paper sponsorship and gift aid. It makes is all worthwhile. Some of us are out running again and some of us are still recovering!!

Update - well we did it! Weather was a bit rough but much better than last year and the rain meant we didn't get too hot. We all have our own stories of how it went individually so catch up with us if you can.  A huge thanks to those people who have and are still donating, we really appreciate it. Who wants to join us next year??

With less than 1 week to go before the Great South Run (10 miles) in Portsmouth we'd like to introduce this year's runners representing Operational Analysis, R&D and the college at Hurn. Please support us and encourage us because, believe me, we NEED you!

This year we are raising money for The Anthony Nolan Trust which focuses on leukaemia treatments and bone marrow transplantation. It manages and recruits donors to one of 2 bone marrow registers in the UK and carries out pioneering research to help make bone marrow transplants more effective. In other words it matches the person needing the donation with the donor. Approximately 16,000 people are waiting for a donor.

So let's introduce the runners/joggers and the 'just hope we finishers' -

In no particular order:

Richard Hayward (OA): sprinted round last year in an amazing time, this year hopes to get round in a similar time if his knee doesn't let him down.

Sam Prince (OA): despite a microchip malfunction last year Sam successfully got round in a very respectable time. This year Sam hopes to finish in a similiar time. He has his own personal reasons for supporting this charity so this run means a lot.

Simon Martin (OA): Simon says "I'm not sure what on earth made me think that this would be a good idea, but the fact that we will be raising money for a very worthy cause makes it seem a little more appealing. This will be my first proper race, so I'm feeling very nervous. I suspect it will be very different from running whilst chasing deer and foxes around Whiteley (they usually win, but they do have the slightly unfair advantage of having twice as many legs). I will be disappointed if I don't get round under 75 minutes, but this could turn out to be a complete flight of fantasy. My main goal is not to be overtaken by anyone wearing an 18th century diving suit".

Craig Foster (R&D): an old hand at this running lark. Only last weekend Craig took part in a fell race (big hills). This year Craig hopes to do the same sort of time and really hopes for better weather otherwise it's wellies again.

Matt Hill (OA): successfully did the run last year in a daffodil yellow outfit! This year says "I'm running for the free T-shirt and carrier bag. Having reduced this year's training schedule from 8 to 5 weeks, I'll just be happy if I match last year's time".

Mike Hine (OA): a first timer but looking good in training, "I'm hoping for a time of 1hour 25 minutes if my knees don't pack in, and I'm only taking part because you roped me into it!" (Rhona denies this)

Damien Murphy (ATCO): has taken up running for the first time just for the GSR. Damien mostly wants to beat Rhona but says " I really want to run all the way to prove to myself I can do it and of course raise some cash for a really good charity, everyone seemed to have so much fun last year I wanted to join in".

Rhona Murphy (OA): managed it last year in 1 hr 39 mins but realistically just wants to get round this year. "Managed to accidentally squirt myself in the eyes with lucozade, (other brands are available), at 2 successive drinks stations last year so will stick to water this year. I suspect I will be the last of us all to finish so I need extra support please".