Episode 4 Gareth Thomas: Alfie's Angels

For the past four months, these people have been to hell and back.

Today, as 100 Alfie's Angels attempt to complete the Cardiff Half

Marathon, they will find out whether or not it's all been worth it.

Does anybody in here think you can motivate the person next to you to

complete the half marathon? There's your answer. 16 weeks ago Rugby

legend Gareth Alfie Thomas accepted his greatest challenge yet, to drain

from scratch 100 novice runners for this year 's Cardiff Half Marathon.

A total of 20 teams have been following a training programme set

by Alfie and training Guru James. We've followed three teams up close

and personal for the TV series. Team number one, the Ty Gwyn Mums. Eight

incredible ladies whose children all attend the same special needs school

in Cardiff. Team number two, the Royal Glam Nurses, a fabulous

foursome who will work on word 12 of the Royal Glamorgan Hospital. And

finally team number three, the Flying Filers, five Batty

beauticians from Haverfordwest. It's been a helter-skelter summer for all

of these teams as they've trained their way from couch potatoes to 21

K. But it hasn't all been a stroll in the park. At the very beginning

Alfie was convinced the nail bar girls wouldn't stay the course. I

can't see them doing it. He worried they were all about booze. Botox.

And smokes. But after an Alfie intervention... Your lungs after a

year when you smoke 20 a day. They've all knuckled down. Alfie has

been forced to eat his words. The nail bar girls, when I first met

them, I thought their party lifestyle and the fun element of

them was maybe all they were about, but boy was I wrong. They are an

amazing group of girls, individually and collectively. They are so

motivated, they worked extremely hard and they've been leaders in the

whole group. Let's get through it! Everybody looks to one of the nail

bar girls for conversation or some kind of motivation. They have turned

out to be from what I thought were a team that would struggle to a team

that has led the way. At the outset, the Royal to girls had the complete

opposite effect on Alfie. -- roiled the girls. Their working life is

tough and they will see some of these challenges is quite easy. How

wrong can one of Wales greatest sporting I can speak the nurse

quickly became casualties of their own infuser as. The nurses, when I

first met them, I thought they were a really strong team. But with the

amount of time they are on their feet at work and with training, they

were picking up injuries, they were over training. A fracture straight

through the bone. But they have such a drive and motivation and

dedication and that probably comes from their work a 12 hour shift,

then training, then going home to look after family, doing that every

day is an extremely difficult thing to do. They have inspired everybody

else. And then there's the Ty Gwyn Mums. The Ty Gwyn mums speak for

themselves. They've been an inspiration from day one. Faced with

incredible challenges at home, they've been walking a continual

tightrope to fit in the demands of training and family life. All the

other women have seen how these women live their lives and how

special they are. They've taken a determination they have every day

and they've used it differently. They've taken some of that

determination for me, I'll have some determination myself and do

something for me and they've done that. They've used that

determination. For all 100 of the marathon Angels, there have been big

sacrifices. Heartaches and happiness. They've marked off the

milestones across a summer of sweat that none of them will forget in a

hurry. And now ahead of them lies one last hurdle to overcome. But

it's the biggest one of them all. Joining 17,102 other runners at the

start line of the 2016 Cardiff Half Marathon. But first... Saturday,

October one 2016. The day of judgment is less than 24 hours a

great and in the grounds of Cardiff Castle, Alfie and coach James have

gathered all 100 Angels for a prerace evening they might never get

over. First off, thank you for being here this evening. We are on the eve

before the very, very big one. For myself, for all of that hard work,

to yourself as Angels, I have a special set of guests coming to give

you a last-minute worn up and get us ready as a team, ready to start the

half marathon tomorrow. Turn your attention to the gates. I hope you

enjoy... What has James got lined up? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No,

it's a fire engine. And 19 firemen. What? Are in need of some attention.

-- 100 a are in aid of some attention in preparation for the

half marathon. These firefighters are doing it tomorrow as well. This

random drop by isn't quite as random as it seems. The firemen with the

megaphone is Kevin and tomorrow he's going to attempt to break the world

record for running a half marathon in a full firefighting kit. Move

your arms around in a circle. His fellow firemen from Cardiff Central

station will be running around supporting. But tonight they are

here to take Alfie and the Angels through their warm up routine. And

now that's been achieved we get down to the real business of the visit.

Dress up Alfie and then... I think we all Mowen what's coming next.

You're going to get very wet. My God! I didn't know... Oh my god.

The things I do for you lot. Fair play, put everyone in good spirits

ready for the rest of the day and tomorrow. Forget about it for a

while and have some fun. And Alfie's fun evening has even turned funnier

as the firemen themed get-together gets gate-crashed by a newly wed

bride and groom. Who wouldn't want a wedding album photo of themselves

with one of Wales greatest rugby players stood in front of a castle

sopping wet in a full fireman skit? What are the chances? This is Elvis

on the moon territory! Here's to a long and prosperous life together,

Charis and Andrew. Don't forget to tell your grandkids you staged the

whole thing. Wow! Wasn't expecting that. And the Angels aren't

expecting what's coming next because following a traditional pre-marathon

pasta party at the Angel Hotel in Cardiff, Alfie has lined up some

surreal afters. I bet you wonder why you're out

here. I want to welcome you all to one of Wales's most iconic hotels.

The Angel Hotel. All of Wales's greatest stars have stayed here,

from Tom Jones to Shirley Bassey, even the Welsh rugby team would stay

here. But none of them, absolutely none of them, have had the honour of

having this hotel named after them. So tonight, my lovely Angels, I give

you... Remember, 60 weeks ago, when I asked

you honestly to put your hands up to show you how many of you think you

could complete the half marathon. None of you put your hands up. With

all the determination, all the motivation, everything you've been

through in the last 16 weeks, I ask you for one last minute of honesty.

Put your hands up if you think you can complete the half marathon

tomorrow. There you are. So one last surprise. Tonight we've been invited

across the road to the Cardiff Arms Park to go on the field... A nice

rousing reception from the crowd and have a little feel of what's

tomorrow -- what tomorrow is going to be like. Off we go. The girls

have been doing fantastic, I thought I'd bring them here tonight to hear

what it's like to be in front of an amazing crowd. Let's hear it for

them! So the Angels round off a completely random evening by being

introduced to the blues crowd at half-time in their game against

Leinster. And they get right rousing reception. Good luck for tomorrow,

Alfie's Angels. Good luck sleeping tonight.

Sunday, October two. Half marathon morning. The three DVDs are heading

to meet up with the other Angels and there is tension in the air. My

stomach is all over the place. The nerves are mounting. But so are the

knocks. Nicola's angle is swollen, Lisa's knee has a minuscule Stey,

Rachel has shin splints and then there's nurse Jo. You're limping

when you're walking. How is it? The fracture is fine, I've pulled a

ligament in the same ankle. How are you feeling about getting around?

Petrified. What petrified as you? Letting everybody down. Really?

You won't let anyone down. You're not going to let anyone down. You

afraid of not finishing? As they join the other Angels preparing for

the marathon, Alfie sends Jo to physio Nicola who often patched up

Alfie when he was playing and will give Jo a last-minute fitness test.

It hurts a little bit up here. Bend your knees.

All I can do is to really try and make sure you can walk. I don't

recommend you try and run. I would like to say don't do it, but I know

you want to do it anyway! Exactly. Smacks of talking to you all those

years ago! I would say be sensible... Decision made. Jo joins

the walking wounded Angels getting patched up and strapped up ready for

the starting line, leaving Alfie to his own last-minute yet. I'm nervous

myself, really nervous. There are so many of them now. Rather than

thinking how good it could be, the potential of what can go wrong with

100 women. It's mad! Wrong? What could possibly go wrong? Check out

the contents of her legendary leopard-print bum bag.

Jelly babies and nicotine chewing gum. That is right, Betsan has been

three weeks off the fags. Cap and Charlotte's go faster eyelashes are

securely in place. And the rest of the Angels are as Eadie as a girl

guide troop which has been at the patrol leader's hip flask. 16 weeks,

amazing. They are ready, there will be so many emotions out there even

before we get across the start line. And they will finish? They are all

here, they are already and what a day for it. Top man. And suddenly,

here we are. The beginning of the end of an emotional, funny and

painful journey for Alfie's 100 Angels. Between them and glory, the

small matter of 13.1 miles. It's a beautiful sunny Sunday and all 100

get off to a good start. We're doing all right. We're getting there. By

the time they approach the marina, the majority are still sailing

along. But as they make their way towards the bay in the halfway mark,

two of the 100 have had to pull out through injury. But the rest keep on

keeping on. Nurse Zoe is striding away at the front of the pack.

Followed swiftly by Flying Filers Charlotte and Betsan. Nurse Sarah is

breathless but keen to share her journey so far. Love it. It is

amazing! I am so happy! It is good. Translation, she is tired but happy

to see her son in the crowd and she is busting for a comfort break. Cap

has more pressing issues to address. Is the make up still on? That is

amazing. Looking good, running well. These mums really can't stop. My

feet are killing me. Although they are happy to phone in their

progress. Just on the halfway, towards the Magic roundabout and we

are having a whale of a time, loving it, absolutely awesome! At the

halfway mark, a pile of Angels are pouring through. There are still 98

on the go. Some of them need refuelling. Thank you! And some of

them still have time to flirt and crack jokes. You do not look as bad

as you feel. You don't feel so bad that you don't look so bad yourself!

This one is amazing. These are getting me through, these girls. As

nurse Jo limps on through halfway, at the finish line and in an

extraordinary two hours and four minutes, the first Angel comes home.

Jo's colleague and close friend, nurse Zoe. I didn't think it was

ever going to end! Followed closely by Flying Filers Charlotte. The

adrenaline is absolutely pumping. My legs are like jelly. Not bad going

for two complete strangers who 16 weeks ago had never done any running

at all. Then third across the line is Angela. I did 110 K last year but

that is all I have ever done so really pleased. Out on the course it

is thirsty work in the unseasonal October sunshine but Kat is keeping

her bottle and clutching for dear life her emergency bum bag make up

supplies. Ty Gwyn Mums are in perfect rhythm. Did the first bit

with Alfie boy. I'm dancing to all the music, loving it! Nurse Leigh

and the flying filer Lisa helping each other in adversary. Just

getting round with an injury. Really hurting now but we are sticking

together and we are going to finish it. At the finish, Betsan was the

latest Angel home, a little worse for wear. BLEEP but it is not all

bad. My toenail is fine. And then next up nurse Sarah. I am happy. I

am relieved. But how is fellow nurse Jo? She's still a full four miles

from the finish. As Jo clings painfully to her dreams of

finishing, many of the other Angels are already there. How did I do

that? I do anything I can talk! That was amazing! I have done it! Thank

you very much. That was amazing! Amazing! And here is another Flying

Filer crossing the line. This is for mum and Nanna Angela. Did you enjoy

that? At times. It was tough. I had to push hard. With half of the

Angels safely across the finish line, another bunch are approaching

the 12 mile mark known as hell Hill. Tell me about this hill? I am loving

it. It is just a hill, get over it. So mum Cass is loving it, what about

Kat? I never in a million years would have thought I would be able

to achieve this. But now I am at the halfway point so it is realistic

now. And I gave up smoking. It is my make up still on? I topped it up

once but I haven't done it again. See later, boys! Ty Gwyn Mums lives,

Nick and cherie are not feeling quite so sparky. The heat is killing

us. We did about six or seven without stopping. It is so hot now.

My feet are hurting, the legs are hurting. The blisters coming. Next

to soldier up murder mile come mums Christina and Sally. But at least

they have Group Captain James to bolster morale. Arms and legs are

moving, we are inside the last mile. There are a couple just ahead. We

are getting it done. Bobbing along! Wonky donkey style. So Sally and

Christina feel like wonky donkeys. How about fellow mum Rachel? I am in

so much pain, so much pain! But this atmosphere has been absolutely

overwhelming. People have pulled me through. I am going to well up,

don't. It has been amazing, literally amazing. I can't believe I

am nearly at the finish. But I am in so much pain and I can't wait to see

my babies. I need to finish and get across that line and see my babies.

Thank you, guys. Rachel Plouffe on. Swollen knee, shin splints and all.

-- Rachel ploughs on. She is followed by casualties nurse Jo. We

have one leg at Jo Root to get over the line. She has run 13 miles with

one leg. Very painful but the atmosphere is really into. -- the

atmosphere is brilliant. She is in agony but she ain't stopping for no

one. On the home straight, their families nervously await the first

Ty Gwyn Mums. Three of them are on the way and the others are not far

behind. Right on cue, here they come. So glad that's over! Ben Moore

Angel teams. We have done it! And here is Rachel. I did it, I did it!

Well done, Rachel. Thank you. I can't believe I did it, I crossed

the line, 13.1 miles! Next home, Kat. I am crying. My make up, sort

it out. More Angels and a nun. And Glory be, more Angels still. Here is

Hayley and Cass bounding over the line.

The support has been fantastic. All the locals giving out drinks and the

kids high-fiving. Coming down to the home straight, Leigh and Lisa

supported all the way by husband Graham. Awesome. As for so many of

the Angels, their families are waiting at the line. That is the

first time I have ever done anything with her. For that, well done. Well

done! Next up, that brace of Shanks's ponies, Sally and

Christina. I couldn't have done it without

Christina. We are like a couple of wonky donkeys. I am so hot, so hot!

Most of the Angels have landed, is anyone still out there? Alfie is out

there with Joanne. The support on the course is the nominal and the

camaraderie between the Angels was amazing. The atmosphere, I am

speechless. And talking of camaraderie, Jo has unbelievably

made it, thanks to the large part to the encouragement of fellow Angels

Claire and Vicky. And of course, Alfie. Well done, you were amazing!

I am in agony, I want to throw up! I feel amazing though. I am really

proud of myself. I didn't think I was going to do it this morning. I

was in so much pain when I woke up. I didn't want to let anyone down. So

where is Alfie hiding? I think I'm overwhelmed. The strength of some of

these people. I've watched them running on one leg for 13 miles.

Just so they could say I have done it. That is special, that. I am

proud to have been a part of it. So many of them. So many of them.

A couple left on the course. I don't want them to think they have been

left on their own, so I think it is important that they cross the line

and everybody is still there waiting for them. Two Angels were forced to

drop out through injury while some was eliminated from the final tally

for not following the complete course. An astonishing 97 of Alfie's

100 Angels finished the race. You are over the line! Over the line!

The finish line is yours, go on, oh and it! It is yours! A round of

applause. Keep going, keep going! And in case you're wondering, just

to top an absolutely awesome day, fireman Kevin did indeed break the

world record. # She'll be coming round the mountain when she comes!

Today, only five days since this race was run, the majority of

Alfie's 100 Angels are planning, contemplating or have already signed

up for their next competitive run. Alfie's 100 Angels, we salute you.

Hello, I'm Sangita Myska, with your 90-second update.