after many years of trying to get in I signed up for a charity place. Living close to and working along the route it was fantastic to finally get in.

the pre race expo was great ..was able to get up on the Wednesday evening so missed the crowds. Sadly as it was a few days before payday I left without buying anything ( there was so much I wanted dammit)

on the day I walked to the red start and the process to find the pens was easy. As a slow runner it felt like we waited in the sun for so long to start no shade but can't blame VLM for the very hot weather. I know the course well having supported along it bit I hadn't realised just how loud there supporters are ..wow..it really felt like most of London had come out to support.  

sadly as a slower runner we experienced stops from mile 7 onwards without water and resorted to picking up part used ones and taking water from spectators. One crew at mile 9 said despite the weather warnings they has only got 4 extra pallets of water. This was my only negative of the event, especially when seeing so many fellow runners clearly in distress at aid stations. I feel VLM let us down badly here and should have learnt from.the debacle of last year's Brighton marathon.

The atmosphere over tower bridge was like nothing on earth and all along it was the immense support that kept me and my injured friend going. crossing the line late afternoon despite our time was amazing and I proudly sported my medal all week at work.