This year had seen myself entering the race as one of two runners whom have completed "three in a row"- that's three 145 mile canal races in three successive years, so this year I could be the only runner to complete four in a row, and a record that will be hard to match, let alone beat.

My support team have been headed by Steve Hill and Nigel Churchill in the past years, but this year Steve was away on holiday with his family and Nigel was moving house- so two good mates from Sneyd striders running club (Ian Hill and Bob Drew) stepped into the difficult task of navigating and organizing the whole of the support team and the logistics of following this modern day "FORREST GUMP".

The fact that I had finished in third place for the previous two years, was to put a little pressure on the two, for they would share my elation on the race or disappointment ( whatever the case maybe).

The weather report had told us that a bad weekend was on the cards, with wet spells on and off all the way, but after a while one never really gets bothered by a spot of rain as you focus on the task ahead- running to London's Little Venice.

I had two great additions to my team this year, they were two cameramen who would film my attempts on this years race- added pressure on myself I asked myself- no, this would act as an added incentive to run even harder and better last years performance.

On the startline in Birmingham's Gas street, the usual buzz could be sensed as runners met and greeted each other, the usual camaraderie was present too, as we all predict each others finishing positions and times-a way of motivating our fellow ultra runners, along the side of the canal we all gather waiting for our signal to start.

As we gather along the canal a silence seems to slowly take over as we "focus" on the tedious task of running for a whole weekend.

For many, the challenge will prove too much and they will withdraw from the race, some through injury, some through fatigue- but not before they have bravely battled on to give their best shot.

For me, running with the words "Asics supporting Glyn Marston on the Grand union canal race" on my back made me a target on the race, and they were a few who raced on past me in the early stages of the course, of whom some dropped out later on in the race. 

The rain was on and off, and my feet were soaking wet but I delayed changing my kit until the early evening, my support team had been great ( as usual) with Mac Mills, Phil Gelder and Simon Kimberly running with me along the towpath (not to forget Ian Hill and Bob Drew who were driving the support van).

I was a few hours ahead of last years time, so a personnal best time was in my sight- the next support team to meet me were Trevor Simms, Stan Harrison and Kevin Postin.

Trevor ran with me on the ten miles from Braunston, then Stan took over, with Kevin on the leg that would take us to Black Horse Bridge, in fact it was on Kevin's ten mile stint that we passed the 70 mile cut off point at Navigation Bridge near Milton Keynes ( you need to be here no later than 19 hours,or you are out of the race).

It is here that you feel great, with the race H.Q.van and other runners support team waiting for their runner to come along- you get a huge cheer as you pass, there is also the feeling of pride as you realise that you have gone through the cut off point with many hours before the cut off time.

As Kev ran with ne to Black horse Bridge, I indicated to my support team that a cup of tea would be most welcome at the moment- but as I stopped at the support van, a chill hit my body, I felt myself shiver as my body froze- I was shaking, my eyes were rolling, and I felt as if I was going to be sick .

Quick as a flash, my support team leapt into action- Trevor grabbed a few coats and threw them around me, the  lads started to huddle around me to get me warm again.

I had no colour in my face- just a very pale white face peeking from the covers that was wrapped around me.

Ian and Bob were contemplating pulling me out of the race- for it was their responsibilty to look after my welfare on the race, and no way would they let me suffer.

Trevor was hand feeding me sandwiches , and saying words of "come on, you'll soon be on your feet again" , in fact Trevor change me from my wet gear into some dry kit- he was determined that I would reach the finish line.

While this drama was happening, three or four runners ran past us- I felt deflated, I was a few places down in the race- would I get back into the leading pack ?

Ian decided to run the next ten miles with me, I think he was so concerned of my health, that he would run with me to make sure I had recovered.

Within ten minutes of being back on my feet, I was running (remember the BBC film crew were following us, so failure was not an option)-Ian had been amazed at my recovery, as we finished his stint on the towpath, he could'nt beleive that I was back in the race- but his advise was "Just reach the finish line,regardless of time and finishing position", don't put myself under any more pressure than I need to.

At Soulbury locks I was met by Dave Ireson, Steve Birch and Steve Titley , again I was realising just how fortunate I am to have such great mates to turn out in the middle of the night to support me, Steve Birch ran with me on the next leg of the race, but feeling fatigued (due to being sick earlier), I walked a great deal- not suprising that when I next met my support team , I had a rest ( half an hour's sleep in fact- which is within the rules of the race).

Dave Ireson set off with me next, and the thought of running through the 100 mile checkpoint, as we approached the checkpoint, we saw a runner whom had decided to call it a day- he withdrew from the race.

At this point I was in 8th place ( but still three hours ahead of last year's time), Now Simon who had cycled the whole distance ( as he does each year) had gone ahead to see the "state of play" , it was here that he predicted that I would finish in third again- as some of the other runners were just managing a walk, let alone run.

As Steve Titley took over as my support runner, a runner was in sight just ahead of me, with Simon's encouragement I mustered up the strength to run past him- as I ran ahead of him, I thought that I could slow down again once he was out of sight, but another runner was just infront of me again- and again I was encouraged to run past him (which I did).

It was apparent that the runners who had set off at a sprint in the early part of the race,were now feeling the effects of running too fast too early.

As Steve's stint had ended, Ken Highfield took over- Ken is a great support to have at this stage of such a race, his sense of humour is unique, and it is here that my ribs ache more than my legs ( due to laughing at some of his jokes).

As Ken run with me was ending, we noticed another runner on the other side of the canal , so Ken got me to pick up the pace and pass him (I was now in 5th place), but as I passed him ,he came after me to claim his place back.

Ken ran ahead to prepare some drinks for me, to minimise my stopping time- but Colin Highfield ( Ken's Brother), had other idea's - Colin told me to carry on, don't stop otherwise this runner will pass me.

So I missed this drinkstop, and carried on- putting some distance between myself and the runner behind, as I was contemplating easing back on the pace, another runner was a little ahead of us- so we pushed the pace to run past him.

As myself and Colin ran onto the Paddington arm of the race (the final 13 miles), Simon ran back to us to inform me that I was due to take third place, as another runner was a little ahead of us.

I eased into third place, and a sigh of relief as I was equal to my finishing place of last year, but almost three hours faster.

At the Woodrow Taylor bridge, my support team were waiting, with Ian Hill yet again preparing to run with me for the final ten miles, but instead of having the cup of tea that I was craving, I was informed that I was close to the 2nd place runner !!

I carried on with Ian Hill encouraging me, and before long the 2nd place runner was in view, someone on the opposite side of the canal picked up phone and called the team with this runner, they stopped dead in their tracks as they realised that I was closing in on them.

This guy had got nothing left, I ran past him and took 2nd place, he had no reply-too tired to challenge me for the position, he let me run ahead of him.

I ran over the finish line with the film crew from the BBC to greet me, and a few cheers from passers by, I sat down wrapped up in a blanket and fell asleep, only to wake up to be sick- and have a cuppa.

Second place, with a time of 33 hours 15 minutes- not bad, not bad at all, a huge thanks to my support team- without their help I would have quit midway through the race, as I would never had recovered from being sick.

So next year - a win ?    Hope so.     

Glyn Marston