Dear Family and Friends

Thank you all for supporting and encouraging us through the Disney Marathon.  We were deeply touched by the response of our friends and family and it really helped us to get through the arduous later miles of the race.  Believe me, we were thinking of you all as we slogged towards the finish. 

Lindsey went round, faster than expected but not breaking any records, in 5hrs 7mins.  Maria went out very fast and then suffered cramps and vomiting at mile 16.  She was put on a stretcher and told she had to withdraw but she said "I can't withdraw, I'm running this race for pancreatic cancer" and she jumped off the stretcher and ran off before they could stop her and take her out of the race.  She made it back in 4hrs 49mins. What a brave girl!   A lot of people commented on our Team Maria shirts which featured photos of Maria's father, Carlos, and Lindsey's mother, Mary.  We heard stories about how their lives had been touched by pancreatic cancer and how they would like to run with us for this cause. 

Through your generosity, in the US we have raised $4915 for the Lustgarten Foundation for research into Pancreatic Cancer and in the UK we raised just over STG1340 for Hayward House hospice.  These are wonderful organizations and we were so grateful to be able to run to benefit them.  We want to continue to raise money for them and we are trying to think of ways in which we can help them again (any ideas welcome!).  Thank you all for being a part of Team Maria and supporting us. 

Running has been such a wonderful experience for us both and we are keen to run with as many of our friends as we can, so if you feel like coming out for a run, or a race with us, please let us know, it would be fun to run with you. 

With love and best wishes,

Amor y saludos

Maria and Lindsey