Hi everyone!

This year is a little different to previous years, as I have managed to get lucky on the London Marathon ballot and have my own place under my own steam for once.

As I am free to choose whoever I want to run for for charity this year, I am going to run for the Alzheimers Society in support of my Great Uncle, Harry Pope and my Grandmother, Johanna Colvill - both of whom are in the advanced stages of the disease.

I am also running the Reading Half Marathon on Sunday March 2nd, which I should be setting myself another new personal best in, as my Marathon training has so far already taken me past the 15 mile barrier and is continuing to proceed ahead of schedule. I am aiming for the doubly ambitious whammy of a sub 1 hour 40 time for Reading and hopefully a sub 4 hour time in London on Sunday April 13th.

I shall be updating this page with my progress, so watch this space!

So thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

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

James,

February 18th, 2008

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Update: Today I smashed four minutes off my personal best for the Reading Half Marathon, finishing in a time of 1:43:58. I am quite pleased with this, seeing as I was ill only last week and have had to fight my way back into fitness since.

All steam ahead towards London now!

Massive thanks to everyone who has already sponsored me :o)

March 2nd, 2008

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Sadly, Uncle Harry passed away this morning. He had been suffering from Pneumonia for most of the week, and was 84 years old.

RIP Harry Pope, 1923-2008.

March 23rd, 2008

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Well, today was the day, and I'm pleased to say that I not only did I complete my second London Marathon, but I also smashed 45 minutes off my previous time, finishing in a time of 4 hours 26 minutes.

Huge thanks to everyone who has supported me during all the training and build up, and of course to all of you who have so generously sponsored me.

As an added bonus, I was shown crossing the finishing line on the tv highlights, so hope to have this as a YouTube link tomorrow :o)

James,

Sunday, April 13th 2008.