Hi, I’m Neil from The Stress Management Society. I ran the London Marathon in April 2010 with the goal of finishing in 5 hours and raising £1,497 to help save the tiger (did you know there are only 3,000 left in the wild?).
Initially my marathon went well until 15 miles when I had to slow down to a run/walk pattern. By 20 miles I worked out that I’d fallen behind so much that I wouldn’t break the 5 hour barrier. So I decided to just go for it, push through the pain barrier and pick up the pace.

Then I came across Matt, a marathon pace maker (someone running just for other people to set their pace to). I informed him of my goal and he suggested I stick with him as he was on track to finish in under 5 hours.

Now this guy was running fast and I had to dig deep, ignore the pain and use every last ounce of reserve energy. No toilet stops. No water stops. Just pushing myself and running faster than I did when fresh at the beginning of the race. I have never been able to do anything like that before. I just visualised a tiger walking free and safe through the jungle, and this seemed to work.

But then the mood changed. Matt said: “Listen, mate, there’s a mile to go and even at this pace you’re not going to make it under five hours. Maybe 5.02 or 5.03. So if you want to break 5, you’re going to have to sprint.”

...I don’t even hesitate, but shift up another gear. At this point, the race is no longer a physical challenge. It’s a mental and emotional battle. So I give myself all the help I can. I am chanting as loud as I could “I can do this, I can do this” over and over. Some people give me strange looks. But others – and I’m amazed by how many – call back “yes you can, yes you can”. With that cheering I find the strength to push harder than ever before.

Now the blood is pumping, my legs are pumping, my arms are pumping... and here’s the finish line. The clock above it says I have seconds to go before 5 hours. I let out an enormous roar and give it all I’ve got... and... then I feel really lightheaded... I don’t remember what happened next... I just know I’m meters from my goal and my mind goes blank.

Next thing I know, I open my eyes and there’s bright white light surrounding me. I’m aware of how still I am. Am I floating? I feel woozy but there’s a weight pushing down on my chest. My first thought is “I’m dead’. I slowly raise my hand to my heart to see if it’s beating, and... hello... I find a medal hanging round my neck. I’m wearing an oxygen mask too. I suddenly realise that I’m in the hospital tent, very much alive. And I was grasping proof that I’d finished my marathon!

A passing doctor told me I had keeled over unconscious as I crossed the line. I was exhausted and dehydrated, but otherwise OK.

I still didn’t know whether I had broken the 5 hour barrier as I logged onto the Marathon website and I discovered my time was 4 hours 58 mins and 58 secs! I was 1 min and 2 seconds under my target!

It has taken me 6 years and 4 marathons to achieve this and I am so proud that I have finally done so. And I’m now officially retired from marathon running. Next year I’ll be in the crowd, cheering on the runners. (What a powerful thing encouragement is.)

Thank you to everyone who has supported me with the marathon over the years. And thank you for anyone who supported my cause this time around, either through your cheers or your cheques. You can find out how much I continue to raise here https://www.justgiving.com/runningfortigers.