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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">‘<em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Long and Winding Road Race’</em> – Liverpool Marathon 9 October 2011</span></span></strong></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong>UPDATE:- I am pleased to announce that I completed the Liverpool Marathon course in a time of 3 hours and 53 minutes, beating the 4 hour target I set myself. I crossed the finishing line exhausted and very emotional! It was a hard slog particularly around 18 to 24 miles when my legs seized up and I got cramp in both legs. All of your kind donations and sponsorship both on-line and off-line, got me through and those of you who were on the course cheering me on really gave me a boost. Your generosity has helped raise over £2000 pounds for the Sundowns Charity, far more than I ever imagined, and the donations are still coming in! You are all amazing and I couldn't have done it without you - THANKS A MILLION - Chris</strong></span> <em>(new photos from the day posted)</em></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">In January 2009, my cousin’s twin daughters Holly and Lucy were born prematurely and both were very poorly for the first months of their lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lucy’s start in life was particularly tough, being born with Downs, as well as having to overcome a heart condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the last two and a half years she has made amazing progress and continues to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is a real inspiration to us all. Lucy, and her parents Tom and Bev, have already benefited from the help and support of the Sundowns charity and will continue to do so in the years ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As one of Lucy’s godparents this seemed the obvious choice and a really worthwhile cause to get behind. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sundowns do some fantastic work supporting children with Downs syndrome and their families in Wirral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a small charity they don’t attract the publicity and funding that some of the larger national charities do. The chance to raise some money for such a worthwhile cause has been a great incentive and has certainly spurred me on with my training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">So on Sunday 9 October I will be setting off from Birkenhead Park to run the 26.2 mile course which covers part of the Wirral coastline, goes through the Birkenhead Tunnel, around the Liverpool waterfront up to Sefton Park and finishes in front of the Liver Buildings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Training seems to be going well, although I received a huge reality check when attempting one of the longer training runs (20 miles) a couple of weeks ago and I am now starting to realise just what I have let myself in for! With only a few weeks to go the pressure is certainly on! I hope to complete the marathon course in just under 4 hours and will let you know how I get on.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Thanks for listening and for your support.</span></div>
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