<b>Day 8</b><br>
The NMYP May Marathon runners completed another 26.9miles on day 8 to push past 250 virtual miles as they relentlessly make progress on their virtual goal of running from Lands End to John O'Groats as a team, visiting interesting sites along the way. 

Setting off from near Severn Beach village on the mouth of the seven estuary the intrepid runners skirted past Thornbury, slight detour to Berkeley Castle (see below) and through Cambridge (no not the uni Cambridge) then past Frampton on Seven to settle down south of Hardwicke in Gloucester. Another very solid days effort from the team. 

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Strange fact 8</b><p> Berkeley Castle was built in 1153 and it is best known as the scene of the abdication and then brutal murder of Edward II in 1327 and for being besieged by Parliamentary troops in 1645. It has been home to the Berkeley family for over 850 years and is still intact. Built to keep out the Welsh you will see trip steps designed to make the enemy stumble during an assault, arrow slits, murder holes and enormous barred doors, slots where the portcullis once fell. Amongst it treasures it houses Francis Drake's cabin chest, Queen Elizabeth I's bedspread, and the banner that the 4th Earl of Berkeley took with him to the Battle of Culloden. Another must visit location post lockdown, a virtual visit cannot do Berkeley Castle justice.<p>

<b>Shout out to:</b> Jack, Serena, Joe and Hugh who are all now into double figures and well on the way to their personal marathon goals and to Annabel Fairman for adding more miles to the team of 22 runners.