For the benefit of my very generous sponsors, here's the photographic evidence!!
09:22am, and full of nervous energy!

09:28am heading in to the starting pens, with 7,000 other runners!

09:29am, with 42 kilometres to go!

10:20am - 50 minutes late due to Police delaying the start


Entering the Queensway Tunnel in Birkenhead (where they filmed Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!), one of the two tunnels which goes under the River Mersey

And emerging from the Tunnel in Liverpool, after crossing the 13.1 mile half-way point

The course ran past the historic Albert Docks on Liverpool's famous River Mersey water-front, and the cold drizzly rain set in...

The sight of the iconic Liver Building (one of the "Three Graces" on Liverpool's water front at the Pier Head) lifted my spirits as the end of the run approached

And after nearly 4 hours and 40 minutes, the last few hundred yards

and the

My hard-earned finisher's medal, and the actual time I recorded (which tallies with the official timers), and me staggering past 14 miles. My GPS cut a few hundred metres off my distance whilst I was running through the tunnel.

It was a fantastic day, with great support from massive crowds who turned out to cheer us on, and the helpers who kept us hydrated with drinks stations along the route.
The winning time was 2 hours 35 minutes, and the final stragglers came in around 7 hours. My official position was 3,003, I hope not too bad for a first (and last!) marathon attempt. Never has a cold beer and a hot Indian curry tasted so good afterwards!!
Thank you to everyone who supported me, and generously donated funds which I will divide equally between my three chosen charities: Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Cancer Research, and Help for Heroes. You kept me going as my strength started sapping away on the last 10 miles... cheers!
Mike Wood
