Raised: 147%
Target: £1,000.00
Raised so far: £1,469.62
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My story

 

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.

I'm running the London Marathon on 13th April followed by the Edinburgh Marathon just a few weeks later. 

Having never raced a marathon before, I have stupidly set myself the somewhat ambitious target of recording a time under the 2 hours 45 required to qualify as an “elite” runner.

Whilst I'm out pounding the pavements getting ready for 52.4 miles of extreme pain, (which will no doubt last long after the races have finished), I'd be grateful if you would please dig deep and sponsor me online.

I'll be back to give updates on this site on how I'm progressing and after each race.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: ACROSS 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.

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Update 10 Feb 2008

My first warm up race went really well.  Wokingham 1/2 Marathon in 1hr 17min17sec which puts me bang on target to get round a marathon in just under 2:45.......in theory !! 

Thanks for all of the sponsorship so far! Keep it coming :-)

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Update 17 March 2008

Oh well - I guess I was hoping for too much. A minor calf injury has cost me 10 days of training and meant that I had to miss my second and final warm-up race yesterday.  Still, I'm starting some gentle training again today with just 4 weeks to go until London.  This has all the twists and turns of a Hollywood blockbuster in the making!!!

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Update 15 April 2008

The London Marathon was fantastic - everything people say about it being an experience not to be missed is an understatement.  The race itself went perfectly to plan until I got to the Isle of Dogs (about 15 miles) and it started raining cats and dogs for 20 minutes along with a gale force wind that came out of nowhere.  I went on to finish in 2hrs 45min 33sec just missing my target time but like any good sportsman, I have my excuses at the ready and blame those 33 seconds on the wind and the rain.  I'm now hobbling around looking like I've been caught short but I hope to get back training at the weekend so I'm ready for Edinburgh in just under 6 weeks time when I should be ready to shave a bit of time off and get under the dream 2:45 barrier.

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Final update after the Edinburgh Marathon on 25 May 2008

I started the Edinburgh Marathon in some trepidation given the predominantly easterly course which was exposed to the strong easterly winds coming off the North Sea that we have been enjoying for the last week.  Given this headwind I thought my chances of improving on the London time were very slim but somehow I managed to dig deep to finish 25th overall in 2hrs 43min 49sec.
 
Here is a link to my official result and race splits
 
Since I've squeezed under the 2hr45 barrier I am delighted to say that I'm now qualified to start from the AAA Championship start (the "elite" start) at next year's London Marathon.  This gives me the chance to start with the Kenyans as opposed to starting behind the celebrities and having to take a lengthy detour around the likes of Jade Goody and Gordon Ramsey.
 
Thank you again for all of your support

Well done!! You're Mad!! Next marathon sub 2 hrs 35?!! Donation by Jo 01/06/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Hope you break the 'dream' barrier Donation by Chris G 12/05/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

I now know you can do it and the rumours i heard that you didnt have a hope were unfounded and malic Donation by John Mc Ginley 18/04/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good Luck - I know you'll do it. Donation by Gran 17/04/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck Phil. Go for it Donation by Paul Guilfoyle 15/04/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Run Phil, Run! : ) Good Luck X Mwaah Donation by Laura 12/04/08  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Good Luck Phil! Donation by Dom Sheerman 11/04/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Go, Phil, go! Donation by Kevin(the hare) 09/04/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

1p per 50 yards Donation by James 08/04/08  

£9.22 + £2.60 Gift Aid

donation made on behalf of the guys at work Donation by SJ, Elspeth, Carole, Helen and Katie 08/04/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Roar!!!!!!!!!!! Donation by helen 08/04/08  

£15.00

Good Luck Phil You are awesome!! Donation by Ian Barnes The Framer 02/04/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

That's 20p per mile. I'll double it if you meet your 2.45 goal. Good Luck! Donation by David Eaton 26/03/08  

£10.40 + £2.93 Gift Aid

Where's the challenge? This is your idea of an easy Friday night! Donation by Imo 23/03/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck! Enjoy what lies beyond 20 miles... Donation by Tricia Allen 22/03/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

70th birthday money, take care run well Donation by Shelagh Allen 20/03/08  

£160.00 + £45.13 Gift Aid

Good Luck Donation by Sandra Proctor 18/03/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good Luck Donation by Jason Turner 17/03/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Unbelievable dedication. Good Luck!! Donation by Gerry & Rene 16/03/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

You're barking .... best of luck. Not that you need it!! Donation by Steve Sullivan 12/03/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck! Donation by Robert Hewitt 02/03/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Great challenge but know you will breeze round the course.... Best of luck Donation by Greg 27/02/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

gggggggggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Donation by Roast 18/02/08  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Good Luck Phil... Donation by Bhavin 15/02/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck Donation by Rob and Jane 10/02/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good Luck, it's a £ per mile so if you hit the wall I save money ;-) Donation by Anthony Cake 08/02/08  

£26.00 + £7.33 Gift Aid

With you all the way Donation by Mum 07/02/08  

£104.00 + £29.33 Gift Aid

Fair play - that's very impressive, and just the incentive I need to get down the gym! Donation by Kathy 06/02/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good Luck Running Man! Donation by Louis Byrne 06/02/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

enjoy, because we will, when you come into work Donation by noels 06/02/08  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £1,038.62
  Offline donations: £431.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £288.71

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