1)  Entries are currently over 10% up on this time last year so hopefully we are going to get a record number of runners on 10th August.

2)  As usual, at least half of our entrants are from off-island and with a good number from outside the UK too  -   USA; Canada, Singapore; Dubai; Italy; France; Poland; Germany and Ireland included.

3)  Notable entrants  - 

Gerry Forde  (wheelchair athlete) is returning yet again.

Peter Ferris - another of our regulars.  This will be his 21st visit I think.   He's a mega-marathon man and raises huge amounts of money for charity.  This year he ran the North Pole marathon in April and is planning on doing the South Pole Marathon and the South Pole 100km in December.  If he succeeds it will be a world record for him  -  first person to do all 3 in one year.  His website is http://uk.geocities.com/run4peter/home.htm 

Steve Edwards  -  is returning this year for his 454th marathon.   He also won the

"10 Marathons in 10 Days" challenge this year in a world record time.  (you already have him highlighted on the website)

Michelle Atkins  -  is making her first visit here.   She is the first lady ever to complete the "10 Marathons in 10 Days"   and so holds the world record.

So we have will have 2 world record holders here this year!

Michael Ogle  -  blind runner with two guides.

4)  Youngest   ....  Christopher Lodge (17) and Becca Cowley (20) in the Half Marathon  and

                            Claire Danson  (19) and Andrew Hill (21) in the Marathon.

5)   Oldest  ......     Jean Snelling (72) and Henry De Silva (74) in the Half Marathon, and

                            Gina Little (63)   and Les Bailey and Les Dawson (both 71) in the

                            Marathon.

6)   And the icing on the cake  !!   ........

Our Marathon is going to be filmed by Red Shoes Ltd.  (part of Colin Jackson's media company).   They have been commissioned to do a series of mini- films about Marathons which will be shown on Fox TV and possibly also Sky.   Their usual format is to follow the "stories" of 3 runners with pre-race interview; following through the race and then post-race interview.   I think they have chosen 2 local runners and also Kevin Brosi who is coming over from Texas for his 90th Marathon.   The film company are still interested in talking to any other local marathon runners  -  contact details are  ...  Oliver Warman  oli@redshoesltd.com

7)   We are still accepting entries for both the Marathon and the Half Marathon.   And, don't forget, walkers are welcome in the Half Marathon - at 13.1 miles it's an excellent training session for anyone planning on doing the End to End walk in September.