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 web analyst, Global Web Operations Sponsor Paul: www.justgiving.com/paulpiper

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