,000 other heroes and finished in 5 hours 34... The whole day was fantastic, no grumbles, and if I were to try to put the experience in to one sentence I think it would be: 'The crowds of supporters and fellow runners really restores your faith in humanity

Belfast last year in 3:11, but did not really do the full training. This year I followed the sub 3hr schedule and felt really confident that I could break 3hrs. I ran 2:51, so can I say a big thank you to Runner’s World for getting me there. One

. He looked gutted.The most memorable moment was seeing my football hero Tony Cottee struggling out of Docklands and, as a fellow runner for the Bobby Moore Fund, giving him a "gee-up."For future events, I will train properly rather than doing one run a

-prepared, having trained for six weeks. I used the Runner’s World emergency schedules which were excellent. But work pressures and a nasty cold cut into this last-minute attempt at training. I feared for my life as I stood at the back of pen nine at Blackheath! I

event and it still chokes me.I was expecting my best moment to be running down the Mall, but to be honest when I got there I really couldn't care less!The best bits by far for me were the starting line (knowing that I was part of the best marathon

an extraordinary thing. But it did confirm that Lucozade sport is not the drink for me!I have spent the time since finishing with a huge grin on my face and am flashing my medal at every opportunity. What a fantastic event! A big thank you to all the runners

for organising us at Mile 17! It was great to meet so many other Runner's World forumites, both trotting past (pausing only for a chat and a handful of jelly babies), and lending voice to the cheering.I spent a joyous race handing out baggies of jelly babies

instead of sitting behind the fence sipping tea)But after I debriefed I found I was fascinated with the whole world of marathons, like how many people do it. How there were 35,000 runners with a single shared desire, how much of a spectacle the whole thing

surely have gone to bed on Saturday night pleading: 'Whatever you do, Dad, don't get overtaken by a rhino'."John Brown, 4:50Many thanks to the Runner's World pacer. Sticking with the 11-minute mile group made my first marathon (at 57) a lot easier

their 22-mile marker on the other side of the road.14, 15, 16 miles and we are still going strong with a never ending chorus of cheering and support from the thousands of spectators lining the route.17 miles and there are the signs for the Runner’s World