I Sit in Amazement!

I sit...because I'm tired after a grueling day. I spent the day with several of my friends out on the streets of London--in the glorious sunshine. After getting up early, riding the tube all the way across London and walking around, cheering--we're beat. But the tiredness we feel can in no way compare to that of our friend and colleague, Hachie Gal. Today, the 26th of April, Hachie Gal completed the London Marathon.

She's been training religiously for months and despite a cramp and unseasonably warm weather--she mustered bucketloads of determination and will to get across that finish line. She's simply amazing to have completed one marathon--but this one makes the perfect dozen for Hachie Gal. In the process, she raised enough money for the Guide Dogs to get one dog through puppy training and support it during it's life in service to a blind person.

With military precision, Budman led Hachie Gal's motley support crew to all the agreed stops to provide her gel packs and sports drinks and the ever important bananas...
Here's a picture of the crew (I'm photographer) as we started the day.

From the left: Stef, Paulster, Budman, and Chris.

Here are a few shots from the day.
This is Mile 7, the first place we met up with Hachie Gal--good spot, Stef!


Here's Hachie Gal at a stop with Chris and Budman.


We followed Budman from stop to stop and wedged ourselves into the crowd to ensure that we could spot our runner and pass along the supplies and/or encouragement. Along the way, we got to see lots of crazy costumed runners and people running their hearts out for their favourite charities.

The London Marathon is famous for runners dressing up in Fancy Dress [Costumes]. Today was no exception. We saw: The Devil, a Dalek, Several Superheroes, a tomato, a bear, a fox, The Hof and Pamela Anderson in their Baywatch Days, a couple of Fred Flintstones, Cops and Robbers, a Yellow Submarine, several Rhinos--quite an array of characters.

Here's the devil, getting away from me...


Oh...well, there was this one time that it took all 3 boys to figure out which way to go.


After finding Hachie Gal after the finish, we went to a great burger joint near Budman and Hachie Gal's house for dinner and a rest.
Wow, did we ever deserve that! Here's a picture of all of us, taken by a fellow supporter.


Congratulations Hachie Gal! Well Done. We are inspired by you and very proud of your accomplishments.