Thank You Sainsburys and Their Customers!

Volunteers from YMCA Training and the Royal British Legion would like to thank the co-operation of staff at Sainsburys and their customers who helped us raise a total of £4,808.64p, which is fantastic. Collections took place between 12th and 17th April at the Weedon Road store.

March Madness Complete!

Apologies for the late update but the March Half Marathon Madness is complete. Bourenmouth Bay dispatched in a finishing time of 1:43:40 and thankfully the rain stayed away. A beautiful run along the coast starts at Bournemouth Pier, heads out to Durley Chine, up a steep climb to the top of the cliff. There is a mile or so stretch before a decline back to the promenade via Alum Chine through the tropical gardens. Then it's back past the pier crowds and out past Boscombe to Southbourne where the course takes you to the cliff top again. A short hop around Southbourne and back along the cliff top to Boscombe Pier. A huge decline here kills your calves before the final mile and a half to the crowded finish at the pier.

It has been a difficult challenge with a couple of set backs off the course. A stinking cold between races one and two, sadly we lost our dog before number three and an upset stomach before number four. Thinking of the army lads training and working out in Afgan puts it all into perspective though.

Thanks to everyone who has sponsored the cause so far and for all your good luck messages. I'm already thinking of my next challenge. Mark

Half Marathon Number Three Complete!

A glorious setting greeted around 600 runners to the Water of Life Half Marathon next to the River Thames at Bisham Abbey, Bucks. Mark completed half marathon number three in 1:41:04.

"This was a beautiful off road course with a number of kissing gates and three bridges to negotiate in the first three miles. Because the course was out and back, it meant the same challenges faced my tired legs in the final three miles too. It was an ideal day for it though and a great way to start spring. Legs feel a little tired today but raring to go at Bournemouth next weekend."

Halfway There!

Two down and two to go for Mark's Challenge! He completed Silverstone on Sunday 14th March in 1:42:40 after battling a cold all week. "The last two miles were horrible but I was pleased to get to the finish line. I'll be resting this week and looking forward to feeling a bit fresher at the Water Of Life Half Marathon this coming Sunday.

HOTELENDERS FANZINE

The first donations have started to appear on the YMCA Training Heroes' webpage www.bmycharity.com/ymcatrainingheroes, thanks to everyone who has supported us so far.

Mark and Jules produce HotelEnders, the fanzine of Northampton Town Football Club and are donating some of the proceeds from Saturday's sales to Help for Heroes. If you're at Sixfields on Saturday to cheer on the Cobblers, make sure you buy a copy of the fanzien to support this wonderful cause.

Easter Collection At Sainsburys

YMCA Training Heroes will be staging a bucket collection at Sainsburys at Sixfields over the Easter week. If anyone is passing us whilst doing there weekly shop, please throw a few coins (or notes) into our collection.

One Down Three To Go!

Mark completed his first half marathon of his challenge at Milton Keynes yesterday (7th March) in 1:38:02, a personal best time. A crisp sunny morning greeted around 3500 runners to the MK Festival of Running and the crowds were on hand to cheer runners across the finish line.

Mark said, "I am delighted to have completed the first part of this challenge and was going to take it easy to get around but at mile ten I knew a good time was on so I started racing. The course was relatively flat except a few undulations in the last mile. I'm looking forward to Silverstone next week." In addition to Silverstone, Mark is running at Bisham Abbey and Bournemouth to complete four half marathons in four weekends in March.

Thank you to everyone who had sponsored Mark so far, you can donate online at www.bmycharity.com/ymcatrainingheroes