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

12. Rachel Jones deputy community and farmlife editor, Farmers Weekly Running: Berlin Marathon Age: 26 Running for: Together, a mental health charity in memory of my friend Dominique Fundraising target: As much as I can Training: One long run and two shorter runs a week. Also cycling the 20-mile round trip to work (when it’s not raining) and going to the gym, plus I have a couple of half marathons booked in. Target time: To get round! Circa 4 hours would be amazing. Current training diet: I’m using training as an excuse to eat out at every possible opportunity. I’m single-handedly keeping Wagamamas in business. Best piece of advice: Don’t underestimate the importance of good shoes and socks. Spen dthe money. Also, find a running buddy who for pace and enthusiasm. It’ll help you get out the door when all you want to do is sit on the sofa in your PJs. What I wish I’d known: How difficult it is to plan your training around work and a social life. Experience: This is my first marathon and there’s a good chance I won’t run another.

13. Gemma Blyth account manager, Estates Gazette Sponsor Gemma: www.justgiving.com/Gemma-Blyth26 Running: Brighton Marathon Age: 26 Running for: Rainbow Trust Fundraising target: £550 Training: Two long runs in the weekend plus strength and core and two runs at the gym a week. Plus I have a personal trainer once a week for a long run. Target time: Under five hours Current training diet: I have been eating a lot more food since I started training. I have a wheat allergy which means I have to carefully plan my meals. I make sure I have breakfast every day, including gluten free rice flakes with milk and a banana or porridge with dried fruits and honey or cinnamon. At the weekend I have a bigger breakfast with eggs and wheat free toast plus cereal. I am eating loads of carbs – potatoes, rice and pasta and bread and energy drinks. Best piece of advice: Ensure you stretch and take rest days. What I wish I’d known: How much it takes over your life. I’m alcohol free until race day. Experience: My first marathon

14. Running: London Marathon Age: not revealed Running for: Hertfordshire Community Foundation Fundraising target: £1000 Training: Running 2-3 times a week, totalling 20-30 miles, Injuries have slowed my progress. Target time: I just want to the cross the finish ahead of the Rhino. Current training diet: Same as usual – plenty of rubbish in larger quantities. Chicken fajitas are my secret weapon. Best piece of advice: Don’t get too focused on time and try to enjoy it. Invest in a good pair of trainers and there’s nothing like some Rocky music to get you through some difficult runs. What I wish I’d known: How hard winter training would be. It’s been a real mental battle on dark evenings. Experience: I am a complete novice, now or never. Kevin Brady training and account manager, Community Care Inform Sponsor Kevin: www.justgiving.com/Kevin-Brady1

15. Running: Brighton Marathon Age: 32 Running for: Rainbow Trust Fundraising target: £500 Training: Admittedly I started late this year, but I’m currently training 3-4 times a week which includes a long run. It’s been difficult fitting training around a new baby. Target time: 4 – 4.5 hours Current training diet: No alcohol. I haven’t changed my diet at all, I pretty much eat what I want when I want. Carb loading is essential before a big run though. Best piece of advice: Do not carried away and set off fast. Try to stick to your target pace at it’s a long road ahead, but above all enjoy yourself. What I wish I’d known: The .2 of 26.2 miles makes a big difference and feels like it’s never going to end. Experience: Ran the London Marathon last year and three half marathons. David Allen, key account manager, estatesgazette.com Sponsor Davey: www.justgiving.com/DaveyAllen

16. Running: Brighton Marathon Age: Not revealed Running for: British Lung Foundation Fundraising target: £500 Training: Four times a week in the gym, doing a mix of running, weights and aerobic exercise. I’m doing long runs at the weekend and my longest run has been 14.6 miles. Target time: 5 hours Current training diet: Pretty much the same, apart from lots of carbs and more vegetables. I have out alcohol until after the marathon. Best piece of advice: Enjoy it. What I wish I’d known: How time consuming it would be, but also how enjoyable and therapeutic running can be once you get through the pain barrier. I’m also thinking maybe I should have tried a half marathon first. Experience: This is my first marathon, but hopefully not my last. Deborah Farquharson recruitment executive, HR Sponsor Deborah: www.virginmoneygiving.com/DeborahFarquharson