Posted By Malcolm Hogarth I am doing the Marathon on Sunday (First one and I turned 49 yesterday - I must be mad!). Anyway as it is Friday afternoon I thought I would just try to get some last minute advice from you lot. I have trusted (dangerous I know) the organisers to do their suitable and sufficient risk assesment. I have spent the last four months in training and fundraising and have got my safe system of work - not too fast.I have got my jelly babies, carbo gel and vaseline ready. Is there anything else I need to do? (I will be careful not to mix up the vaseline and carbo gel!) Yours, Marathon Mal

Posted By Andrew Longhurst Enjoy it. The people you meet along the way will carry you further and than you imagine. When you want to slow a little, adopt another group or runeer and when you want to go a little faster do the same thing. You will probably change groups a dozen or more times but enjoy their company while you are with them and when ready to move on just do so - you will find this aspect astonishing and rewarding. Andrew Longhurst

Posted By Peter MacDonald Write your name in big letters on your running vest. It's amazing the boost you'll get with people shouting your name and encouragement in the final 2 or 3 miles. Also, what ever you do don't eat or drink anything different from normal from any of the sponsor vendors. And take a few sheets of loo roll with you too. Nothing worse than pre-race nerves getting the better of you and being the 200th person in a portaloo with no way to..........you get the picture. Oh, and keep moving for as long as possible afetr the race to balance out your blood flow from your legs back to the organs to stop you feeling sick. Enjoy!!! I found the combination of one hours sleep and twelve pints of guiness post race a good wind down. Pete

Posted By Mark Talbot Take a cab. ...but if you are still determined to run, good luck, hope you enjoy it. I am jealous of your determination.

Posted By Merv Newman I found that a generous application of vaseline on the nipples and (dare I say it ?) between the legs (males only) and buttocks was entirely beneficial. And carry a bottle of water. And do not wear a silly costume. Merv (3hrs 35.22) Yeah ! Can any CSP beat that ?

Posted By Merv Newman Mild (very) expletive The lamb is over with, the next bottle is nearly empty. It's now a hard choice between the hammock and watching the marathon. And see my posting under "H&S quotes" Merv

Posted By JEFFREY SMITH Probably had to run back from the finish line to work and not yet arrived... Seriously - did you do it and what time? (very jealous of your resolve!)