Cross Rhythms reader TIMOTHY CLARKE decided to run the London Marathon for charity - and the charity he chose was Cross Rhythms.

As millions of TV viewers will know, the London Marathon is one of the most awesome spectacles in the sporting calendar. For the athletic elite it is a chance to prove their prowess in one of the greatest of sporting challenges -over 26 miles along the streets of London. For thousands of "fun runners" though, it is a chance to dress up in silly clothes and, in many instances, raise money for charity. Amongst those who took the courageous step to enter this year's marathon was 36 year old Timothy Clarke, a manager in a London furniture factory and father of two. The charity that Timothy chose to support was Cross Rhythms.

Commented Timothy, "My wife and I got the God Digital package about three years ago and I've been absolutely knocked out by Cross Rhythms radio. I think what the station is doing is unique and has a profound ability to affect people's lives. When I found that my application to enter the London Marathon had been successful Cross Rhythms was the charity I wanted to support." In fact, Timothy only made his application a month before the closing date and considering that of the 80,000 applicants only 32,000 are selected to run he believes he had some divine help.

Timothy began training at Christmas time. "I had no running background at all. Cross country at school was a bitter and cold experience while my first training run I only got 50 yards down the road," Timothy chuckled. Despite this, the runner was soon regularly running 14 miles every couple of nights. At the day of the great race Timothy found he wasn't at all nervous. "I really had the peace of God, I believe. I got up at four in the morning, spent some time with the Lord and then got on the train. When I got there the day turned out to be absolutely wonderful. It wasn't too hot or too cold although I did get suntanned on my legs!

"People were predicting that I'd have trouble with my feet. I did most of my training in tennis shoes and only got a pair of trainers for the event, but nothing like that happened. People were calling out to me and encouraging me and I completed the run in four hours and 29 minutes. I read a Scripture in UCB's The Word For Today booklet, Isaiah 40 verse 31, 'Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint,' and there was real power of the Holy Spirit in that Scripture." Timothy raised over £900 for Cross Rhythms through his epic run.