The Meadows Marathon is taking place this Sunday! Places have been filling up so fast that we have over 800 signed up. However, we have extended the deadline by two days, which means today is the last day. Please visit www.meadowsmarathon.org.uk to avoid disappointment. Runners can sign up on the day, but there is no guarantee that there will be any space left.

I know that many of you have been training hard, especially Kevin McGuffie, who wants to beat his time from last year by 15 minutes. Thank you and good luck to all those who have entered!

Entertainment on the day will include drummers, cheerleaders, brass bands and the bhangra dance society. All will contribute to the electric atmosphere the Meadows Marathon is known for.

I am really looking forward to seeing what costumes people have come up with this year! Watch out for a whole fruit basket from the team at EGP Mongolia, including a bunch of grapes, an apple and a banana. It will be hard to miss Toby Murray, a student at the University of Edinburgh, as he will be running in a sumo wrestler suit for Macmillan Cancer Support. The animal welfare society will be dressing up as safari animals for the Born Free Foundation. Also, new charity Mary’s Meals has a large crowd from Oban fundraising for them, perhaps in tutus!

Six year old Chloe Coupe has decided to run the 5km Fun Run of the Meadows Marathon with her Granny, Midge, for the charity Mindroom. The charity raises awareness of all kinds of learning difficulties and provides direct help and support to children and adults in their schools or workplaces, as well as training for education and health professionals. Chloe, who has already raised £120, has said, "I want to help children who can't talk or learn like I can!"

Scottish Love in Action has around 130 runners fundraising for them. Among the runners there are 30 travelling up from Durham University and 15 from Aberdeen University. This year the runners will have helium balloons attached to them, so that they will be easily recognised around the course. Some may also dress up as white chickens, which is the affectionate nickname the Indian partners of SLA have used for visitors from Scotland.

Please come along on Sunday to join in and support the runners!

Spread the word about the Meadows Marathon!