Very many thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

(Update Tuesday 2nd May):

Firstly a huge thank you to all those who have supported this year's run, it really is terrific to see so many people contributing, particularly those who have done so on a regular basis, I remain very grateful to you all. 

I am delighted to report that yesterday's run was completed successfully, albeit in significantly warmer weather that an Ulsterman would normally expect to encounter locally! Some relief was available through a few thoughtful householders who directed the spray from their garden hose for runners to run through at several locations. However the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service took this to another level altogether, issuing an apparently inviting deluge onto the road outside their station at Whitla Street, just after perhaps the hottest and most boring part of the run, up the cycle path from Gideon's Green and all through the Duncrue industrial estate... As I ran cheerfully into this the effect was shockingly similar to jumping into an icy sea, directly after sunbathing and required a degree of recovery in itself..

Much later on I recorded a time of 5 hours and 22 minutes - nearly 10 minutes slower than last year. The last few miles seem to get longer each year and making it to the end all the more of a relief!

Great congratulations are due to this year's event winner - African, Bernard Rotich, who finished in just two hours, sixteen minutes and four seconds.. Also, perhaps even more notably, 31 year old local mother of four Laura Graham from Kilkeel who romped home as the leading lady runner - the first local Athlete to win the lady's event since 1999!

This year I have chosen Papyrus - a National Charity that concentrates its efforts on helping to prevent suicide in young people. Their service is aimed directly at those who find themselves contemplating suicide and also those who are worried about someone. From a strategic perspective they also seek to campaign and influence national policy on this deeply sad and all too common occurrence. As part of their approach they help to empower young people to lead suicide prevention in their own communities.

By the end of last year's event, collectively since our first event in 2008, the sum donated to the wide variety of Charities had reached no less than £17,007.69 - we are already close to achieving a further £2,000 this year when the gift aid is taken into account, this is all tantalisingly close to a humbling £20,000! Just change the number on the end of this year's link to /1 for 2008, /2 for 2009 and so on to revisit some of our past events..

So thank you once again for visiting this year's page, if you do decide to contribute this really will be appreciated by Papyrus.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

With my best personal regards,

Tim