1. Running: London Marathon Age: 30 Running for: The National Deaf Children’s Society. My one year old nephew Noah is deaf and NDCS have been incredibly supportive to our family Fundraising target: £1500 Target time: 4 hours Training: I train five days a week with a long run on Sunday. I’m running around 35 miles in total but this is increasing week on week Best and worst things of training for the marathon: Best - seeing Noah and my family at the finish Worst - running in the snow and rain! Post-marathon meal: Champagne and pizza! Experience: I’ve never run a marathon before but I have always been a runner. I come from a family of runners and my Mum has done the London twice before. This is my first London Marathon but I hope it won’t be my last. I’d love to do the New York Marathon next! Beth Pooley exhibition coordinator, Salon Exhibitions Sponsor Beth: http://www.justgiving.com/bethlondonmarathon2010

2. Running: London Marathon Age: 29 Running for: The Katie Piper Foundation. It’s a new charity set up and being run by my sister who had sulphuric acid thrown in her face in 2008. There has been wide media coverage about the case and also a documentary produced by Channel 4. She’s now trying to get her own charity off the ground to help the many people that have written in to her and also to campaign for a greater level of burns care within the UK. www.katiepiperfoundation.org.uk Fundraising target: £3000 Target time: 3 hours 45 minutes Training: Short runs in the week and long runs at the weekend with gym sessions mixed in for core, stability and strength work. Best and worst things of training for the marathon: Best - seeing yourself develop over the months and how much better you feel from exercise. Worst - having to train for the majority of the time through the cold and wet winter months. Post-marathon meal: A big Sunday roast with all the family. Experience: I’ve run three marathons before, including the London and Edinburgh Marathon. However, they don’t get any easier! Paul Piper web services analyst, IS Infrastructure & Operations Sponsor Paul: www.justgiving.com/pipers

3. Running: London Marathon Age: 51 Running for: The Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity as they supported my family for over 10 years when my daughter was alive and ill with Leukaemia Fundraising target: £2,000 Target time: My target time 6 hours but I know that realistically I may have to walk some of the route Training: My training consists of gym based core work three to four times per week and running four times per week Best and worst things of training for the marathon: Best - the support and advice from friends and I that am eating much more without gaining weight! Worst - the amount of time needed to train, losing toenails and looking a complete mess whilst running Post-marathon meal: My post marathon meal will be a roast dinner without the meat as I am vegetarian! Experience: I have never run a marathon before and don’t plan to do another one Maria Goldby occupational health advisor, HR/Occupational Health Sponsor Maria: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MariaGoldby

4. Running: Brighton and Edinburgh Marathons Age: 32 Running for: Cancer Research Fundraising target: As much as I can get Target time: 3 hours 20 minutes or better, my best marathon time is 3 hours 11 minutes so ultimately beating that, but it all depends how I feel on the day Training: Three half marathons in March and a longer run leading up to the marathon. Going to the gym four lunchtimes per week and two evening gym sessions. Two training runs per week and an evening track session. So basically nine separate sessions per week Best and worst things of training for the marathon: Best - is feeling healthy, clean living and the sense of achievement Worse - niggling injuries that never go away Post-marathon meal: After Brighton - a huge Sunday roast. After Edinburgh - 12 pints of Guinness and a huge Sunday roast Experience: I have run seven marathons since April 2007, these two will make it nine in total. I can’t imagine a year without a marathon now! Darran Ford senior web systems analyst , IS Infrastructure & Operations Sponsor Darran: www.justgiving.com/DarranATP2010

5. Running: London Marathon Age: 23 Running for: Scope, as I know two people who suffer from cerebral palsy Fundraising target: I am doing the marathon with a friend so we have a joint target of £3,400 Target time: I hoping for 5 hours-ish, but who knows! Training: Lots and lots of running and aching. I’ve had a couple of injuries along the way too. I haven’t changed my diet much which I really should Best and worst things of training for the marathon: Best - the feeling you get after a long run or beating a personal best Worst - running in the freezing cold Post-marathon meal: We’re having a party if I get through it, so probably party food Experience: I have no running experience whatsoever. When I first started running I could only do two minute intervals on the treadmill. I decided to do it for a big challenge, and it’s definitely that! Rachel O'Sullivan researcher, Estates Gazette Interactive Sponsor Rachel: www.justgiving.com/annaandrachel

6. Running: Brighton Marathon Age: 40 Running for: Cancer Research UK. My father in-law was diagnosed with cancer over two years ago, and a lot of the treatment and care he has received would not have been possible without the backing of Cancer Research. Fundraising target: £500 + Target time : 4 hours ideally, but finishing will be just fine. Training: Two mid-week runs of four to five miles each and one long run at the weekend of 10-20 miles. Also riding 70 miles on my bike every week to and from work Best and worst things of training for the marathon: Best - satisfaction in achieving something that I never thought was personally within my reach and knowing it is all for such a great cause Worst - the weather and the pain both physically and mentally of undertaking the long training runs Post-marathon meal: A big slice of satisfaction pie! Joking aside, chicken pasta and lots of it Experience: I have run a couple of half marathons and one 16 mile event before Nick King infrastructure manager, IS Infrastructure & Operations Sponsor Nick: www.justgiving.com/nrking

7. Running: London Marathon Age: 40 Running for: Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign. Fundraising target: £3,000 Target time: 4 hours 30 minutes, but would love to do it closer to 4 hours Training: I am training most days in my lunch break with one long 2-3 hour run at the weekend Best and worst things of training for the marathon: Best - the freedom and the beauty of Richmond Park Worst - the early start on a Saturday morning. The aches and pains. Trying to juggle it all working full time and running a home with three small children. Post-marathon meal: I’ve not thought that far ahead Experience: I have never run a marathon before. I only started running about 2 years ago in order to lose weight and got hooked Julia Meehan senior editor, ICIS Pricing Sponsor Julia: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JuliaMeehan

8. Running: London & Berlin Marathons Running for: The Royal National Institute for Deaf People Fundraising target: As much as possible! Target time: To simply cross the finishing line of the London Marathon as this is the fourth year I’ve attempted to enter Training: Preparation is practicing my drink handover techniques for the drink stations along the route, and hand techniques for grabbing jelly babies from little kids who cheer the runners! Best and worst things of training for the marathon: Best - not having the wife around! Worst - waking up early around 6:30ish on most Sunday race days and thinking why oh why Post-marathon meal: All the drinks and jelly babies I collected along the way, but failing that - dim sum Experience: I’ve run many 10k and half marathons to date and enjoy driving to places where I have never been before! Bruce Li data analyst, Estates Gazette Interactive Sponsor Bruce www.justgiving.com/bruceli

9. Running: Brighton Marathon Age: 30 Running for: Vasculitus Foundation. It is really good to be doing something for a good cause and to mark the life of a good friend that is no longer with us Fundraising target: £2000. Target time: 4 hours 15 minutes Training: Gym four to five mornings a week for muscle resistance training and spinning. Two long runs (10-20 miles) and two shorter runs a week (30-40 mins) Best and worst things of training for the marathon: Best - is a great sense of achievement after completing a training session Worst - the fear of not being able to do it on the day and letting people down, not to mention it does take over your life! Post-marathon meal: Spaghetti bolognese or a big steak. Experience: I have only ever previously run half marathons. I have always said that I will do one marathon at least in my life! Who knows this may be the start of a few, however it does take its toll on the body Louisa Davidson telesales account manager, XpertHR To sponsor Julia please contact her on 7042156 or email [email_address]

10. Running: London Marathon Age: Old enough to know better Running for: St Peter & St James Hospice Fundraising target: As much as possible Target time: 5 hours Training: I’m following a 16 week schedule. Running five times a week which consists of one short fast session, one long run and three medium runs Best and worst things of training for the marathon: Best - Thursdays and Saturdays (rest days) Worst - the other five days Post-marathon meal: As the last few weeks will be a pasta-with-everything diet it will be anything but Experience: I have run four half marathons in the last three years. I ran the London Marathon in 1983 and then after a year stopped running and only restarted about four years ago David Wells support analyst, IT Services Sponsor David: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DaveWells

11. Running: Brighton Marathon Age: 32 Running for: Find Your Feet – I was influenced by Madonna’s incredible charity work in Malawi and wanted to run for a non-mainstream charity that targeted this country. As a Farmers Weekly employee the cause is extra special because they train poor and marginalised families in Malawi and India to improve their harvests Fundraising target: £500 – any more would be a real bonus! Target time: 3 hours 30 minutes Training: Two short 10-mile runs in the week, since January, one long run every Sunday morning of up to 20 miles Best and worst things of training for the marathon: Best - I feel better and have more energy and greater concentration at work. The sense of achievement at watching your improvement is amazing Worst - Starting a long run during the cold weather and icy conditions. Once you are out running you are OK Post-marathon meal: Lasagne and salad washed down with a few pints of Guinness (hopefully I will still be standing) Experience: I have been distance running for more than 15 years but this is my first 26-miler and I can’t wait Philip Case arable reporter, Farmers Weekly Sponsor Philip: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/philipcase

12. Running: Brighton Marathon Age: 39, so just young enough to finish before I turn 40. Running for: The Dementia Relief Trust Fundraising target: £1000 Target time: 4 hours 15 minutes Training: Weekly long run (12-18 miles) and 2-3 shorter training sessions in gym – not enough! Best and worst things of training for the marathon: Best - noticing the progress on a weekly basis Worst - the amount of time it takes every weekend Post-marathon meal: A Mars bar Experience: I previously ran the Rotterdam Marathon in 2001 with a time of 4 hours 20 minutes Jeroen Kuerble publishing director, Business Leads Sponsor Jeroen: www.justgiving.com/Jeroen-Kuerble

13. Running: Brighton Marathon Age: 56 Running for: Action for Kids in north London; helps disabled children; my brother was severely disabled and this is the kind of charity I would have liked to have seen about when he was young. Fundraising target: £500 Target time: 4 hours Training: Four runs a week, including fartleks and intervals and 15-18 run; hopefully a 20 mile run on good Friday before the tapering. Best and worst things of training for the marathon: Best - Wet and cold winter running sessions. Worst - getting new personal bests at 10k and 17 mile in the last month (48:48 and 1:28 if you’re interested) Post-marathon meal: Steak and chips with a glass of champagne. Experience: I’ve been running regularly for fitness for 35 years. I’ve ran half marathons - my best time being 1:44:45 but I’ve never run a marathon before. Keith Hassell sub editor, Community Care Sponsor Keith: www.justgiving.com/keith-hassell

14. Running: I already ran the LA Marathon on 21 March and my next race will be the London Marathon . Age: 27 Running for: Guide Dogs for the Blind - I have a family friend who uses one and I know how much work they do and how amazing they are! Fundraising target: As much as possible! Target time: 3 hours 45 minutes Training: Consists of three runs a week – two before work in the week, one long run on a Sunday and I also do spin classes. Best and worst things of training for the marathon: Best - early morning runs, watching the sun rise and being able to eat lots! Worst - running in snow, ice, wind, rain, oh and the dark . Post-marathon meal: I’ll probably end up in Pizza Express after the marathon – yum! Are you running in any form of unusual costume? I ran last years London Marathon in a pink glittery fairy outfit (left) - this year I’ll just stick to the bright pink top! Experience: I ran the London Marathon last year in just over 4 hours and have also run two half marathons, my best time being 1 hour 38 minutes. Holly Vivian deputy client services manager Sponsor Holy: www.justgiving.com/hollyvivian2010

15. Running: London Marathon Age: 37 Running for: The Children’s Trust in Tadworth, They’re a locally based charity who do a fantastic job with the children in their care. I’ve visited the trust on a number of occasions and you can see evidence of all the hard work that they do. Fundraising target: £1600 Target time: I would like to finish the race, and if I could do that in around five and half hours I would be delighted. Training: An average four runs a week, at least one swim, three of the runs are about 45-50 minutes long and then there is usually a long run at the weekend normally two to three hours. Best and worst things of training for the marathon: Best - completing the Hastings half marathon, which is approximately 6 miles uphill . Worst - the weather conditions for training this winter. Post-marathon meal: A roast dinner with all the trimmings. Experience: My running experience prior to embarking on my marathon training was nil. I literally had to start from scratch and run for two minutes and walk for one minute and so on. I haven’t run any marathons before, I’m thinking after all this training that one may be enough. Lorna Holden key account manager, Community Care Inform Sponsor Lorna: www.justgiving.com/Lorna-Holden