WE DID IT.

What a race, absolutely fantastic experience.  Feeling pretty tired and a touch sore by the end, but finishing it was never in doubt.  The time was a very respectable 10 hours and 27 minutes (although it took us 5 mins to cross the start line, so actually 10 hours and 22 minutes). 

Although not exactly in the top 10, we did manage to finish way into the top half of the 12,000 strong field. 

Thank you all for your support.  This site will continue to accept sponsorship for another month, so feel free to sponsor us if you haven't already.

All the best,

Jamie and Darren.

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56 miles up hill, from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, South Africa!

For those of you who have done a marathon, imagine crossing the finish line and knowing that you are less than half way.

For those of you who have not had the delights of a marathon, image a normal working day - get up, go to work, work, have lunch, work, go home, have supper.  Now imagine that during all of this time we have been running. (We intend to beat the 12 hour maximum and finish in around 10 hours)

That's right, it is a long way.  56 miles is from Oxford to Birmingham.  We have chosen a slightly more interesting route however, from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.  Known as the Comrades Marathon, it is one of the largest Ultra Marathons in the world with some 14,000 runners and a string of legendary stories.

Comrades 2006 is an "up" run, with some two thirds of the 56 mile distance being run up hills of varying steepness.  There are five notable hills on the route, the last of which, Polly Shortts,  we are particulary looking forward to.  Only a few Kms from the finish it is billed by the organisers as "the ultimate in heartbreak hills".

We have chosen to run this year for Mencap.  Over the last few years we have raised money for Scope, HemiHelp and Great Ormond Street and this year we wanted to raise money for another charity supporting the needs of people with learning disabilities. 

For those of you that don't know, Jamie's daughter, Holly has Cerebral Palsy and has recently been diagnosed with Autistism.  Through charities including Mencap, the advancements in support for people like Holly has been extraordinary.

We are looking to recover our travel and entry costs for the race, but still hope to donate in the region of £7000 to Mencap.

If you are interested in more details in the actual race, have a look at the official website at www.comrades.com

Please dig deep and sponsor us online.

Many thanks in advance,

Jamie and Darren.

 

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