London Marathon

2007

I completed my fourth London Marathon on 22 April 2007, for the second time dressed as Elvis. Including Gift Aid, I managed to raise around £1300 for Save the Children, who I ran for in memory of Jonny Wilson – a glorious soul who will be missed by all who ever met him.

It was a hot day and everyone seemed to suffer and struggle, but I managed to battle round in a time of 3:39:09, despite starting to walk at around 16 miles just to cool down (taking off the wig for a bit), and getting a monster stitch in the final mile or two because I'd eaten some jelly babies!

The warm weather brought out the crowds and I must admit it was the most noisy and encouraging support that I've experienced; even if I had to decline the constant encouragement to start running again when I felt totally spent!

2006

I dressed up as Elvis to run for Turning Point in the 2006 London Marathon, raising around £1100. The crowd was amazing and swept me along for most of the course, but too much "Uh-huh" and "Thank you very much" and waving to the crowds took its toll around mile 22 and I had to walk for a bit.

I managed to get interviewed by the BBC, but didn't make the telly. I walked a few more times, but someone in the crowd gave me a Mars bar (not a peanut butter sandwich unfortunately) and I soon got some energy to plod along the final couple of miles, finishing in a very pleasing 3:21:22 with not too much chafing from the outfit!

2004

I completed my second London Marathon in a time of 3:17:33, raising around £950 for Oxford Children's Hospital. It was quite a wet day, but not too cool and almost perfect running conditions - for me anyway! I never hit the wall and was very pleased with my time.

2000

My first London Marathon experience saw me finish in a time of 3:50:36. I ran for the Renal unit at Churchill Hospital in Oxford, raising around £1250. I struggled at the end, but enjoyed the day, especially the chastening and humbling experience of being overtaken, in the space of a couple of minutes somewhere around Docklands, by a grey-haired old lady, a one-legged man and a Womble! All part of the London Marathon, I've since discovered.