It'll have to be 2010...

Claire's hopes of competing in the 2009 London Marathon were dashed recently when she received news that she has not been successful in the ballot. Having decided not to run for charity in 2009, there is no other option available. However, Claire still has her sights on running the 2010 New York Marathon for which she'll be raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - who specifically contribute to Type 1 research.

Please feel free to place donations on the current fundraising page - see right --->>>

Maybe 2009 !!

Claire has applied for the 2009 London Marathon! She couldn't wait for the 2010 New York having visited this year's London event as a spectator. I might have guessed that she'd be up for another crack at it before her previously intended date. If she is accepted then she'll run for her own 'enjoyment' rather than for charity this time. There are only so many times you can ask people to donate. Perhaps New York will be a charity run.

Watch this space to see if she gains her place later this year.

£5024 - Marathon fundraising total

A whopping total has been raised over the last few months - exceeding £5000. Diabetes UK will be receiving £2500, a £500+ donation is being made to Diabetes UK Northampton Branch, with £2000 already having been forwarded to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Funds were split - with the majority going to the charity Claire ran the London Marathon for (Diabetes UK) - once we'd discovered the JDRF charity. These specialise in funding research into Type 1 Diabetes, the type son Charlie suffers from, and the type primarily striking young children more prevalently now.

We have kept a donation page live for JDRF, so please feel free to donate to JDRF at any time (or even join them to continue supporting this important charity) using the links on this page.

Thank you again to all who donated during Claire's build up to the 2007 London Marathon.

New York 2010 !!!

Having originally said that she'd never run another Marathon, Claire took just 3 days to change her mind. Now she's achieved her initial ambition, she has decided that it has to be abroad for the next one so has chosen to run New York Marathon in 3 years time. Apparently this delay is to give her loving husband a break from the demands of her training. At last she's back behind the ironing board!

JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) will be the beneficiaries of the next event.

Fantastic and Proud !!

Claire finished her first and (apparently) only Marathon in London yesterday when she ran over the line in an impressive 4 hrs 45 mins 9 seconds. We're all immensely proud of Claire's achievement, even more so given the extreme temperatures.

Having trained for a sub-4 hour run, Claire revised her plans when it was clear that the heat could otherwise cause problems. Sensibly she decided that rather than keep to the 8.5 minute mile she'd been running in training, she would slow to 10+. This was a very wise precaution and ensured she was able to complete the event in relatively good condition, and far better than some of the competitors who could not make the finishing line.

Cheered on by a very supportive family, Claire managed to briefly stop on a number of occasions to say hello! Both myself (Dan) and the main group were carrying large banners that enabled Claire to pick us all out - otherwise we would easily have missed her within the masses.

Thank you to all who made the journey to London in support of Claire - and to those who were avidly watching the TV trying to spot her.

I'll be asking Claire to write a few words in the next day or so, but at the moment she's resting her little legs. Well done Claire - I am very proud of you.

Claire writes, "It was an amazing experience and something that I will remember for the rest of my life. There are so many people to thank, who without I wouldn't have even made it to the start line. Through 5 months of preparation, training 6 days a week, my husband Dan never once complained when I went out the door as he came in from work, leaving him to sort the kids and make my dinner. Every Saturday I would disappear, sometimes for hours at a time, and Sunday was the only day I wasn't at the gym or out running - he's making me pay now though!!! No seriously, I couldn't have done it without him and I love him very much.

There were times when I needed Dan to come along (on his bike of course) to carry water and gels for me, and it was here that Anne, Pam and parents came to the rescue looking after the kids. Also there were times when Dan couldn't come with me and here's where my buddy Dave stepped in. A huge thank you for your support along the way and for believing in me.

Also I must thank Ruth and Gavin, not forgetting the gorgeous Izzy who travelled to see me run the marathon, they made an amazing banner which said 'Charlie's Angel Go'. It was a fab banner and really stood out in the crowds. Also thanks to Matthew, Steve and Alice, my lovely in-laws Anthea and Ian, and my buddy Dave in his silly hat!!! Of course I mustn't forget Dan and my wonderful children Megan and Charlie who were in my thoughts along the way and kept me going. They made the experience a little less painful although I did end up running 26.8 miles - instead of 26.2 - as I was doing rather alot of zig-zagging looking for them!!

Thanks also to everyone who sponsored me, I don't know the exact total yet but I'm confident it will exceed £4,000. Once again thanks to all, I couldn't have done it without you and I really could not begin to describe the feeling when I crossed the finish line, and Dave there's only one way to find out!!

I'll be back next year - but as a spectator."

Today, Diabetes UK have used my picture on their website!!

Should we banner?

No, that wouldn't be fair at this stage, but at least we can wave this (see pic) and cheer.

Final preparations for the big day are under way, and this has included making the banner that will hopefully enable Claire to spot us more easily amongst the throngs lining the streets of London on Sunday. 13 of the Clayton Clan (plus Claire of course) intend to be there to support Claire's fantastic efforts along the way. Strategically placed in numerous spots, we're all hoping to see her at least 3 times each during the race.

Nerves are beginning to set in a little but we know she has put in tremendous commitment with training and cannot have done more to achieve her objective of finishing. Hopefully she'll complete the course in under 4 hours, though this will largely depend on the congestion around the start.

Sponsorship keeps coming in and we're now nearing £4000 (including pledges). If anyone else wishes to sponsor, please use the JDRF donation page - this amount comes off the overall target shown on the Diabetes UK page.

Anyone who won't be there, keep an eye out for 38138 and shout your encouragement at the TV!!

A Wright Hassall...

...but Claire managed to complete the Leamington Spa 6.2 mile (10km) race - sponsored by solicitors Wright Hassall - to the sun this morning in 50 minutes 35 seconds, despite finishing in 21 degrees heat! She's now praying for a break in the weather for next Sunday.

Claire says congratulations to Dave who knocked an amazing 9 minutes off his personal best for the distance. Dan is not intending to run next year!