The document contains profiles of several individuals running marathons, including the London Marathon. It provides details about their age, charity they are running for, fundraising targets, training routines, diets and marathon experience.

1. Running: London Marathon Age: 27 Running for: Anthony Nolan Trust Fundraising target: £1700-£2000 Training: I train twice a week with my running club, which includes interval and hill training. I do a long run every Sunday and try and do a few easier runs during the week. I am running about 40-45 miles a week. I have completed two half marathons to get used to the crowds. Target time: Under 3.30 hrs Current training diet: I have been eating a lot more since I started training, but I have been keeping to a healthier diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables and protein. Before a long run I have plenty of carbs the night before and a big bowl of cereal, toast and energy drink pre-race. Best piece of advice: Listen to your body if you get an ache or pain – missing the odd run is not going to harm your training . What I wish I’d known: That training would take over three months of my life. Experience: This is my first marathon Tom Mullen client services manager, Client Services Sponsor Tom: http://www.justgiving.com/tom-mullen

2. Running: London Marathon Age: 30 (on the day of the marathon) Running for: International Childcare Trust Fundraising target: £2000 (but raised £2363 so far) Training: Running about 30 miles a week, as well as three spin classes, one weights session and one swim. Resting heart rate now 45bpm. Target time: Under 4 hours Current training diet: What I mainly eat. Porridge every morning, lots of pasta, bananas, blueberries, nuts, protein shakes. Gave up smoking and alcohol (alcohol only temporarily). Best piece of advice: Increase distance slowly What I wish I’d known: How expensive it was going to be (£100 for a pair of trainers on top of kit, protein shakes etc). Experience: I have never done anything like this before. I only started running last February. I have completed two 10km races and have run a few half marathons in training. James Lawton online sales executive, Totaljobs.com Sponsor James: http://www.justgiving.com/James-Lawton

3. Running: London Marathon Age: 35 Running for: Clic Sargent Fundraising target: £2000 Target time: 4 hours Training: I'm running about 40 miles a week and rather than supplementing this with any gym work, I clean up my children’s mess. The latter is by far the more punishing of the two. Current training diet: I’m making extensive use of red wine and bar snacks, as apparently, both are rich in carbohydrates. I also eat porridge every morning, which I’m enjoying slightly less. Best piece of advice: “Don’t do it, you idiot.” As usual, I didn’t listen. What I wish I’d known: I’d always assumed the London Marathon was essentially just crowds of jolly people running past, just like the BBC makes out. But veteran runners tell me it’s more like a scene from Apocalypse, with all manner of bodily fluids lining the streets and half dead bodies. So that’ll be nice. Experience: None, although I did win a bronze medal in the Salisbury schools mini marathon when I was 10. Jim Larkin – researcher, Estates Gazette Interactive Sponsor Jim: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=jimlarkin

4. Running: London Marathon Age: 30 Running for: National Deaf Children’s Society – my nephew Noah is deaf. Fundraising target: £2000 Target time: 4 – 4½ hours Training: All running and what seems like all the time – about 30-40 miles per week. Current training diet: Healthy eating and not too much booze or coffee! Carb loading in the lead up to a long run. Best piece of advice: Enjoy it. What I wish I’d known: How much food people give you along the way. Experience: This will be my second London Marathon. Beth Pooley exhibition coordinator, Salon Exhibitions Sponsor Beth: http://www.justgiving.com/michaelandbeth2011

5. Running: London Marathon Age: 30 Running for: The Katie Piper Foundation, founded by my sister to improve the delivery of an advanced rehabilitation and burns clinic in the UK. Fundraising target: £1000 Training: My training isn’t really happening as it should. I’ve been working at RBI-US in Denver for the past seven months. I ran the Denver Marathon in October, but over the last few months temperatures have been as low as -24C without the wind-chill factored on top, so I’ve only managed a few runs on the treadmill. I’m going to be relying on past experience to get me round. Target time: 4 hours Current training diet: I always try to eat healthy, but leading up to the marathon it will be more carb-focused. Best piece of advice: Be prepared for the last 6 miles, which are entirely a mental battle. If you believe you can succeed then you will. What I wish I’d known: I’m always learning new things through running. Right now I’m looking into forefoot running and trying to adapt to that. Experience: This will be my 9 th marathon. Every one is a huge challenge and the level of mental and physical strength required can never be underestimated. Paul Piper researcher, Estates Gazette Interactive Sponsor Paul: www.katiepiperfoundation.org

6. Running: London Marathon Age: 44 Running for: British Heart Foundation Fundraising target: £1000 Target time : 3.5 hours Training: Three runs a week, with 4-5 gym sessions including swimming, as I am aiming to do a triathlon this year as well. Current training diet: I eat a healthy balanced diet apart from when there are cakes or biscuits around, which is quite often with my team. Best piece of advice: It’s always good to set yourself a challenge and this is a great way to rise to the challenge, raise money for charity, enjoy the day and hopefully achieve your goal. What I wish I’d known: I’ve done it before so now I know the pain I’ll have to go through Experience: Normally run one a year or if not at least a half marathon or something silly like the grim challenge. Kevin Stewart online services manager, Operational Development Sponsor Kevin: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KevinStewart

7. Running: London Marathon Age: 30 Running for: Action on Addiction and Help for Heroes Fundraising target: I have a ballot place so I don’t have a target in mind, but I’d like to raise as much as possible. Target time : Under 5 hours Training: I’m running 20-30 miles a week including a long run at the weekend. I train with my local running club or run home from work. Current training diet: Sticking to a healthy balanced diet, avoiding alcohol and only carb loading on Friday nights in preparation for the long weekend runs. I have a chocolate milkshake post long run. Best piece of advice: Invest in a Garmin, it’s changed my training regime completely. Experience: Ran the London Marathon in 2008 and four half marathons. Jane Shackleton marketing manager, estatesgazette.com Sponsor Jane: http://www.justgiving.com/janeyshackleton

8. Running: Brighton Marathon Age: 33 Running for: Rainbow Trust Fundraising target: £750 Training: Running four times a week totalling 30-35 miles – although the distances are increasing, plus play squash once a week. Target time: Anything under 4 hours would be nice. Current training diet: Same as usual with regular Nandos and Haribo supplements. Best piece of advice: To get running shoes that fit properly – I lost eight toenails during and after my first marathon. What I wish I’d known: How bad the weather was going to be over the past few months – motivation to go outside in shorts and t-shirts has been low. Experience: This will be my third marathon. Joe Turner financial accountant, Finance Sponsor Joe: www.justgiving.com/Joseph-Turner

9. Running: Brighton Marathon Age: 38 Running for: Rainbow Trust Fundraising target: £1000 Training: Around 25 miles a week currently, but I am training for an ultra marathon later this year so will peak around 60 miles. Target time: Under 3.30 hours Current training diet: Just loads of anything I can get my hands on. I don’t really change my diet, I just eat more of everything. Best piece of advice: It’s all in the head What I wish I’d known: It’s all in the head Experience: This is my fourth year running and I have done three marathons and one ultra marathon. I’ve decided this will be my last ‘season.’ Stephen Desmond head of content, Totaljobs Group