The final update, sent 26th April, 2007...

My last London marathon update – promise. J

Given that I’ve been training for that ruddy race for the better part of 6 months & have been in your ear about sponsorship for at least 4, I think it’s only fair that you get your pound of flesh in the form of some unflattering photos, a couple of vids & maybe, if you can handle the tension, the truth behind my momentous battle with that pesky pooch, Scooby Doo.

Before we go on though, I really do have to once again say thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has supported me & sponsored me for this race. With your kindness & donations we have now raised just under £5,000 (A$12,000) & I know it sounds cornier than a very corny thing, but I really could feel all of youse out there with me. As Bette Midler might have said, you were the wind beneath my shoes. Or something. Anyway – obligatory plug for those of you still keen to chip in – the site will be open for the next couple of weeks as we do the final wrap-up & send the dosh off to the very grateful campers at Kidney Research UK – www.justgiving.com/thebob.

My time was officially registered as 4:09.17, meaning not only did I beat experienced marathoner Gordon Ramsay (that man has THE biggest head – saw it up close & personal as we raced, nay, staggered along Embankment), but I also got past former English rugby player Matt Dawson. Not bad for Fat Bob & something to cherish. Everyone I’ve spoken to said it was hard given temperatures of up to 27 degrees (might not sound hot for the Ozwegians amongst you, but when you’ve been training for months in 5-10 degrees, 27 is hot indeed).

Okay, enough of the updates & onto the real meat of this email – the truth behind my Battle with Scooby Doo.

I first saw Scoobs at around the 2 mile mark. I’d stopped for a widdle (as one does) & upon rejoining the pack I saw his bouncy brown head about 100 yards in front. “Okay Bob, there’s your marker” I says to myself. So off I trot to catch him up, passing him easily & settling into my race.

Miles roll by, I’m taking it slow, conserving energy, enjoying my time, slapping hands with the kiddies along the side of the road & generally having fun when up ahead I see Scooby again! What the hell, how did he get past me? Was I really going that slow? I know I was pacing myself & that there’s 36,000 people in this race but how did I miss a 7 foot brown dog overtaking me? So, off I run again to catch him up – this time however, throwing a nasty glance back over my shoulder to say “not again pal, not in my race”.

Okay, so we’re at 15 miles now, deep in the Docklands, sun beating down & only 11 miles to go. Starting to get tired, legs are weak, I’m sore all over but still up for the run of my life, when coming around the corner from Canary Wharf I see that feisty canine ahead of me again.

No. This is not happening.

After the near miss of the Reading Half Marathon Chicken Emergency I can NOT be beaten by a guy dressed up like a dog. And yet he had passed me again. Had I blacked out whilst running? Was I so busy concentrating on pounding the pavement that I missed his unmistakeable “hurro Shaggy, hehehe” laugh as he ran by? I was pretty sure no – but there he was ahead, running happily, tail wagging, ears bouncing. Bugger!

Now at this point I’d like to say I gallantly ran to catch him up again & once for all put his sorry doggy butt behind me. But no. I was a broken man. 16 miles into the London Marathon & I’d hit the wall, caused in no small part by knowing that not only did I still have 10miles to go, but a guy dressed up as a cartoon character was doing it easy. Every dog has his day & this was his – still, it’s kinda hard to take when you’re down & out.

So I struggled on, running, walking, limping, stopping to get my bearings & trying not to fall over. Running past Linda & co cheering at the 23mile mark, past Tower Hill, past Big Ben, past Gordon & Matt & finally onto Buckingham Palace & the finish. At last – done. Collect my medal, smile for the photo & almost collapse in sheer relief that I’d done it. I’d been beaten by a dog but I’d finished & I was happy.

End of story? Not quite. Hours later, I related my Battle with Scooby Doo to Linda & co over a couple pints, when with a smile she says “Oh Scooby Doo? We saw at least four of them running past, all spaced out along the course...”

Sigh.  And that, as they say, is that.

Finally – to the lovely Linda – thank you SO much for putting up with me, loading me up with pasta & rice & generally being the star you always are. I really couldn’t have done it without you. J

Cheers to all & thank you one last time - you’ve made this a very special event for me & for that – you have my heart.

Your friend,

Robbie