Thank you for taking the time to visit my fundraising page and YES, the old, fat bloke only went and did it again..!!

For a third year, the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths gave me the chance to run the London Marathon in memory of our dear son Kevin and as in the previous 2 years the experiance cannot adequately be put into words. What an amazing, brilliant, fantastic day....!!!!

After getting soaked at Greenwich before the start, we went off about 15 minutes after the gun with the weather nice and cool and overcast. It wasn't long before that changed to a bright, sunny and HOT day. I managed to keep up with my cousin for the first couple miles but then reality kicked in and I settled into a nice steady plod. After running most of way to halfway, I then started to feel a tad weary.

My lack of leg miles started to show, although at 10 miles I was 15 minutes ahead of schedule,  so in the second half a walk - run strategy had to be adopted, but help was on hand at regular intervals as the family were keeping me topped up with Jelly Babies and loads of encouragement..!! They were brilliant and a really welcome sight.

At about 18 miles I knew if I could keep going I could be on for a PB, so as the blisters got bigger and the day got hotter, I started to plan my sprint finish. I briefly saw the folks at 24 and 25 miles but couldn't stop to talk for long as the goal of a PB was now driving me on. When you see the 800 metres to go sign, the amazing feeling of loads of energy takes over but 100 metres later it goes just as quickly, so a final push and prepare for the finishing photo.

I managed to complete the course in 5 hours 27 minutes, a whopping 4 minutes quicker than last year, which I am very happy about and I have already applied  for next year......!!!!! 

Once again, I have been so lucky that people have been so generous in sponsoring me, I am way past my target amount with still more coming in. It is not too late to make a donation if you can and you will be helping FSID to continue their valuable work to help make Cot Death a thing of the past.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Sincere thanks, Martin