In an email from our friends in Gravelines, France we recieved this press cutting from La Voix du Nord (The Voive of the North), acompanied by the following translated text.

“Dear Friends,

Please find attached the article from La Voix du Nord (newspaper “The Voice of the North”) reporting on our 2 Scout friends, Alex and Malcolm of the 5^th Scouts Division in Dartford, our twin-town, at the start of the French leg (of their marathon).

I hope you will enjoy it.”

Alain Létreux
Responsable du Groupe “Pêcheurs d’Islande”
des Éclaieuses et Éclaireurs de France
Secrétaire Adjoint des Amis du Jumelage

<Translated>

Start of the French leg in front of the Arsenal building in the presence of: 

A delegation of 12 scouts from the 5^th Scout division in Dartford who arrived this morning to mark the occasion, led by Paul Boreham in charge of the group, together with two representatives.

Bertrand Ringot from the General Council and Mayor of Gravelines; Councillor Raoul Defruit, President of the Youth Commission and friend of the “Amis du Jumelage” – Friends of Twinning; Edmonde Jourdain, secretary of the “Amis du Jumelage”; Alain  Létreux, representative of the group “Pêcheurs d’Islande ” – (Icelandic fishermen) of the Guides and Scouts of France in Gravelines, with other members of the group and the joint-secretary of the “Amis du Jumelage”; Christian Hogard, representing the group “Paul Emile Victor” (a French explorer) from the Guides and Scouts of France in Loon-plage with other members of the group. 

Day 7 – London – Dartford Marathon:

Sunday 23rd October 2011 – The day MORE scouts came.

08:40 at Dartford Train Station heading for London and Trafalgar Square the start line for the last leg of the 777 Challenge.  Both of us stiff legged and more than ready for the culmination of the weeks effort.  The support team had grown yet again with a crowd of Scouts and Leaders travelling up with us boosting our spirits. On arrival at the start line we were met by yet more supporters.  The first 6 miles we were accompanied by Scouts from Early and Burne Troup who set off at blistering pace of 8 minute miles.  After looping around Oxford Street and Hyde Park we ran back into Trafalgar Square having already totalled nearly 7 miles.  Leaving our scout escort we continued across to the South Bank and through Docklands, for this stage I have one word and its painful.  We were met at the top of Greenwich Park by more runners and support cyclists as we pushed on up the steep climb of Shooters Hill, we were willed on by shouts of encouragement.  As we entered Welling, the 20 mile point, we were again joined by yet more scouts and leaders from the 5^th Dartford.  Next we passed through Bexleyheath and Crayford cheered on by groups of supporters who stopped traffic enabling us to pass unhindered. By this point people from the local pubs and shops we passed joined the groups of Scouts on the streets cheering us passed.  We descended the final hill into Dartford the pace increasing as we knew the final stretch was ahead.  On entering Central Park we headed for the bandstand and at the finish line we saw the welcoming party and our hearts lifted, at 15:13 on 23^rd October 2011 we had completed 7 Marathons in 7 Countries in 7 Days all but one of which was under 5 hours, not bad.

I would like to thank Darren and Matt our immediate support team, for their immense efforts, unwavering support and patience in keeping us going when we were fed up.  I would also like to say a big thanks to the 5^th Dartford Scout Group for letting us use their banner to run under and the leaders, scouts and parents for supporting and running alongside us as well as all those who have backed us financially.

Brilliant effort and thank you.

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Press……. please contact media@5thdartfordscouts.org.uk for high resolution pictures

Day 6 – France Marathon (Gravelines):

Saturday 22^nd October 2011 – The day the scouts came.

After getting up at 0830 (a nice lay in!) we had a traditional French breakfast and after some confusion as whether to put coffeeor cereal in the breakfast bowl we moved to the town hall to meet with the Mayor and the local councillor.  Alain from the Gravelines’ Scout Group was an excellent host, providing us with free accommodation and arranged local Scouts and local media to be at the start of the marathon.  Scouts and leaders from the 5th Dartford Scout Group had also made the journey across the channel to run 6th leg.  Alain provided a car to escort us around the marathon route and led the way out of the town.  The car set off at an epic pace about 10mph and was quite cheeky to keep up with, but after a few miles we again settled into a lumbering stride and headed off around the docks towards Dunkirk.  One of the Leaders, Keith, ran the whole distance with us and provided a welcome relief and change of conservation.  It must be said that the scouts who met us in France really kept us mentally strong and they kept up a good pace keeping our minds focused away from the monotonous pain and the sheer boredom.  Finishing under the castle gates we had time for a quick drink with the supporting French and 5th Scouts then headed directly for the tunnel, England, home and the final leg.

Twelve of 5th Dartford scouts travelled out to Gravelines to support Alex & Malcolm in their penultimate marathon. An early rise at 5am was called for with the two cars traveling by Euro Tunnel to meet with them by 10am. It was fantastic that Alain had also enlisted the help of the Mayor, twinning committee as well as Loon-Plage scouts to come and support the start. The majority of the scouts ran the first 5 miles and then the last 5 as well, with Keith completing the whole marathon with Alex and Malcolm. The route finished back in Gravelines town square, where a well deserved rest and a lemonade was enjoyed before returning home. I understand from the scouts taking part that nearly 500 in sponsorship money was raised.

Congratulation to all…

Day 4 – Belgium Marathon:

The most miserable day so far began with a 6 hour drive from Germany to Oostende in Belgium.  Once into Belgium we headed straight to the sea front of Oostende with the intention of running the 26 miles along the coastline towards France.  Running along a seemly never-ending costal route made this leg the most mentally challenging of the 5 marathons so far.  It seemed impossible to visualise the end and this had a negative effect on morale throughout.  Progress was slow and I must admit that we had to stop to ‘get a grip of ourselves’ on several occasions.  During this leg we hardly spoke to each other and were seldom close together, preferring to focus on individual thoughts which seemed to be largely based around the pains in our joints and legs.  We finished in a very upmarket Belgium town called Neiwport for some chips and Overall it was good to get this one down and get on to France.