We did it! writes Nub News regional editor Layth Yousif

It was tough, but somehow we managed to run the 13.1 miles to secure donations of more than £1,100 - with every penny going to the brilliant Willow Foundation.

My partner, Faye and I made it across the gruelling course which runs through the wonderful city of Edinburgh - all the way out to the finishing line in the beguiling seaside resort of Musselburgh, located on the coast of the Firth of Forth.

A massive thank you to each and every one of you that contributed to the cause through your hard-earned cash - which will now go to Willow to help fund their amazing operations in helping people with life-limiting illnesses enjoy a special day.

Thank You

When I first met the Willow team - including the brilliant Maria Alexander - at their offices in Welwyn back in February, I decided I'd stride manfully up the three flights of stairs to meet them rather than using their lift.

Well, by the time I got to the top I was puffing away. I'm not sure Maria could believe that I was for real, as I sweated and wheezed through my tea as we discussed fundraising plans.

Luckily they believed in me, as did my wonderful partner Faye (who I am contractually obliged to state finished 'hours' ahead of me in the Edinburgh Half Marathon), and off I embarked on a three month crash course in running - while attempting to shed some extra lockdown-induced pounds shall we say.

It hasn't been easy heading to the gym most days for a run - after completing the London Marathon a few years ago, I won't even run across the road to avoid traffic, such is my dislike of pounding the streets and the running machine. And my old line about me hating the treadmill because it makes me drop my doughnuts still applies.

Thanks also to the staff at Archers Gym in Hitchin for their support, including boss Maria, whose motivational powers gave me a boost the day we headed up (with my weight somehow two stone lighter) to Scotland's capital for the race.

Determined not to let anyone down, I somehow managed to get to the finish line despite being the slowest in the half marathon.

As my best mate said to me afterwards, 'You got the medal and the sponsorship - that's all that matters,' even if I had to practically fight off the recovery truck, so keen were they to 'retire' me ahead of the Edinburgh marathon leaders catching up with me, after starting a full two hours ahead of them.

However, I'm nothing if not persistent - let's just say I eschewed the recovery trucks' requests for me to step down in the strongest possible terms.

Reaching the finish line at Musselburgh

I must admit there was quite a stir when I reached the bridge at Musselburgh, near to the end of the race.

A police outrider on a noisy motorbike sidled up to me as I ran the course, and in a strong Scottish accent asked: "Are you ok pal?' I replied I was, even if I was running a bit slowly. "Well,' he answered, "You'd better bl***dy hurry up as the Marathon leaders are coming through."

I steeled myself at this unexpected occurrence, and pushed myself to run as fast as I could over the bridge that led to the centre of Mussleborough before the top class runners came through.

At the other end of the bridge were hundreds of well-wishers cheering on what they through would be the leaders of the Edinburgh Marathon.

Imagine their surprise when they saw an overweight, middle-aged, balding man, puff slowly if not gamely, across their bridge.

The look of utter confusion on many faces certainly raised a smile later in one of the Royal Mile's many wonderful old pubs, as I recounted the story, but at the time, my face must have worn a look of horror - as I could hear the leaders of the 26.2 mile race coming up on the inside behind me.

Thankfully, through my painful attempts at sprinting for 50 yards after already running more than 10 miles, I managed to get to the other end of the bridge first - moments before the elite runners who absolutely whooshed past me, as the crowd graciously cheered us all on.

Totals raised

And while I may never be anything other than a painfully slow runner, it was moments such as these the above that added to a memorable day. One that saw the Willow Foundation end it more than £1,100 better off.

With my Gooner Fanzine editors hat on - and I also have to say a big thank you to everyone who helped boost Willows coffers on the last day of the season back in May, as well as the Gooner contributing to Willow's annual Duck Race charity fundraiser - I believe, between us all, we managed to reach a final total of around £1,500 for Willow, in a bottom line figure we'll confirm next week.

By the way, it's still not too late if you would like to donate to our page here

In the meantime, masochist that I am, I'm pondering running another half marathon next year. Watch this space. And thanks again to everyone who donated. Cheers.