The London Marathon is one of the biggest running & fundraising events in the world and takes place on Sunday 17th April 2011.

West Midlands Lupus Group has 12 runners in this year’s event and along with a further 20 runners for LUPUS UK we want to ensure all of our runners get an extra special cheer!

The cheering point will be located at 24.5 miles along the embankment opposite the London Eye.  Just look out for the big LUPUS UK sail banners!

We hope you can come along and enjoy a magical day supporting our Lupus Runners as they take on the challenge of a lifetime!

Join the LUPUS UK/WMLG London Marathon facebook event.

If you require any further information please contact John via email john@lupusrunner.co.uk.

Official Virgin London Marathon website.

Google Map of the cheering point.

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2010 got off to a great start, with the help of my good friend Stuart Woodhams, my website underwent a major revamp.  This has made such a difference to my goal of raising awareness of lupus and the site is now receiving hits from across the world.

In late January, I had the news that would change the course of my training and what the London Marathon would hold for me.  At this late stage a member of the Lupus Golden Bonded Team had withdrawn their entry and my wife Kate quickly stepped up to fill the vacant place.  We would now undertake this magical journey together!

In February, lupus awareness truly went global with the help of Wendy Mallas, Liverpool Football Club and Fernando Torres.  Wendy had once again created an amazing painting that she donated for me to auction for Lupus UK & Lupus West Midlands. Myself and Viki were invited to Liverpool’s training ground to meet Fernando so he could sign the painting.  LFC featured the story on the club’s official website resulting in hundreds of hits from across the globe on my lupus site and helped raise £800 for the painting!

February also saw an increase in the milage I was running but that brought about its own problems.  By this point my knees had become very painful and I was spending most nights sat with ice packs on them.  But with the support of the Cannock Rheumatology Team and a local Osteopath, I managed to control the issues very well.

In March, we reached a big mile stone for us both, we ran 10 miles! For both of us this was a huge goal to reach, hitting double figures we both began to feel like the marathon was possible, we even started looking forward to the ice baths!

During March, we also saw a huge boost to our fundraising thanks to a local restaurant who offered to support us.  The Padma Lounge in Cannock helped organise a fantastic evening and with support of other local businesses who offered their raffle prizes we raised an amazing £815.

At the beginning of April I was very proud to be elected to the West Midlands Lupus Group committee.  This has aloud me to refresh the groups website and further build on my fundraising efforts.

In the week leading up to the marathon an extraordinary thing happened, our fundraising hit £6,000.  This was made even more special by a guy who follows me on twitter and had seen we were approaching this milestone.  He amazingly sponsored us to make this incredible milestone!  It has been people like this who have made all the aches and pains worth it, and will help change the lives of people suffering with lupus!

Race weekend saw Team Hibbsy take to London proudly wearing our lupus awareness t-shirts and lupus banners flying high.  It was a truly magical experience that I’ll never forget.  Every minute was enjoyable. Right from the very start there were well wishers cheering us on. Shouting words of support, playing music, clapping and honking. Their spirit drove us on.  Team Hibbsy had taken position at 5 miles and as we saw them cheering, we knew that we could do this!

At the finish the crowd seemed even deeper and louder as the last three miles lay ahead.  We drove forward and kept up the pace with the finish line as our spur.  When we ran alongside the embankment we knew that there wasn’t much longer to go.  Big Ben loomed large above us and as we approached the Mall we were so proud of our achievements.  Holding the tears back, we held hands and ran the last 800 metres.  We had made it.  Elated and sporting our medals, we posed for an official shot!  Team Hibbsy were of course waiting for us and we relished our fan’s attention.  I took off my medal and placed it around Viki’s neck; this is why we were there; to support her as she faces the burdens that Lupus had imposed upon her.

As we enjoyed a rest from running, we were in for another big shock as we got the news of our fundraising total.  A mind blowing £7,000.  We couldn’t have done this without the help and support of many people, particularly Team Hibbsy who have been with us every step of the way!

My next big challenge was the Great North Run.  The Great North Run holds a special place in the hearts of my family as my mom and grandparents are from Newcastle having moved to Hednesford in the Midlands in 1964 when my granddad found work in the local colliery.  This was another special weekend for Team Hibbsy as we enjoyed visiting the many great sights and I was immensely proud running in their home city.

October was Lupus Awareness Month and a big thank you goes to JustGiving who kindly featured my story to help raise awareness!

As we come to the end of 2010 both Kate and myself are back in training for the 2011 London Marathon!

I’d just like to thank you all for your continued support and wish you all a fantastic 2011.