***UPDATE***
I completed the race in what looks like a dreadful time of 2hours45mins, but that doesn't begin to tell the story... Basically I went out at a searing pace and reached halfway in 34mins, however promptly collapsed with what the medics feared could have been a ruptured calf. After a lot of oxygen and a trip in an ambulance, I spent an hour in the medical centre before finally being discharged to waddle my way along the final four miles. Hopefully it's just a strain of the calf. In total I completed 9miles running in 1hour11mins plus a mile in the ambulance!
It's still possible to sponsor me!
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On 26th October I will be running the BUPA Great South Run in Portsmouth. The GSR is Europe's premier 10-mile run with a starting line-up of 19,000 runners.

I ran the course in 2006, finishing in the top 3,000 in a time of 1hr24mins. With a lot better preparation, I hope to go at least a few minutes faster this time!

I am running this year in order to raise money for Smile International, a local charity which provides humanitarian aid and development projects in various countries over the World. I travelled to Uganda in 2007 with Smile and saw first-hand the wonderful work the charity is doing in supporting a local school where orphaned children are given support and funding to allow them to receive an education.

I work at Balgowan Primary School where we are in the midst of collecting Christmas shoeboxes for distribution in areas of suffering and poverty by Smile. I'd like to think that the money I raise through this race will help to pay for the transport costs for the boxes we have collected.

Your sponsorship would be greatly appreciated, so please take the very short time it takes to sponsor me online. Justgiving is a very efficient way of doing so- the money goes quickly to Smile and Justgiving can ensure a 25% Gift Aid and 3% supplement are added to your donation.

Many thanks for your time. I look forward to the challenge of the GSR and thank you in advance for your donation.

Sam