Paul has given the following account of the pair's participation in the marathon, in a bid to raise funds for the Watchdog Early Learning and Development Centre in Central.

"It was still dark when we started at 6:25 am from Newlands and headed south on the M4 route to Muizenberg. Even at this early hour, many spectators lined the route, some still in their pyjamas and dressing gowns, clutching hot tea or coffee, but all shouting encouragement to the runners.

At the 15-km mark we hit the lovely village of Muizenburg on the Indian Ocean and followed the scenic coastline around to Fish Hoek where a large crowd was gathered tucking into their breakfasts at the many cafes which lined the route. At this stage Peter decided to press on without me as he was determined to beat me this time around after I had beaten him in the 2004 Comrades Double Marathon.

The halfway mark of 28 km at Noordhoek was reached in two hours 52 minutes which I was pleased with as it gave me over four hours to complete the second half which included several large hills.

The long ascent to Chapman's Peak was next, a steady 3-km uphill but the scenery over the Atlantic Ocean was worth it! The marathon mark of 42.2 km was reached in four hours 50 minutes so I was confident that I could cover the last 14 km in two hours. The water and powerade sachets were greatly received by all the runners as the temperature continued to rise under a cloudless sky. I have never drunk so much in seven hours and have no idea where it all went as I didn't go to the toilet once during the whole race!

It was nice to finally get another descent after Constantia Nek was reached and on past Kirstenbosch Gardens. Back to Newlands at the 52-km mark with the crowd getting thicker all the time as the finishing point at Cape Town University neared. Many of the crowd was feeling the effects of a few beers at this stage and I must admit I would have loved a beer instead of all that blue powerade and water!

One could hear the noise of the crowd as the finish became ever closer. I knew I could relax now as I was going to make the seven-hour deadline. Thousands of spectators and runners who had already finished were lining the run in over the University rugby pitches and I managed to spot a relieved Peter near the finish line. A very emotional moment as I crossed the line in six hours 55 minutes. Peter had completed the race in six hours three minutes, a very commendable effort. He was already on his second beer of the day and it wasn't long before I caught up with him on that front!"

Thanks to Force members

On behalf of all the children at Watchdog, Peter and Paul thank the many Force members who have sponsored and helped them raise around $576,000. All the money raised will go towards refurbishment of the second Watchdog Centre, an annex to the Union Church in Jordan, Kowloon. When fully open in September this year, it will mean that 60 children on the waiting list will start receiving full time education. The money will help Watchdog provide intensive and all-round educational and therapeutic services to pre-school children with special educational needs, helping them achieve their full potential at the earliest possible age.

Paul (left) and Peter have raised more than $570,000 for children with special educational needs

Paul completes the 56-km marathon in six hours 55 minutes

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