Some would say it’s the most famous marathon in the world. It’s 26 miles and 385 yards, the same as any other. But there is something unquantifiable that sets this one apart. A magic, a feeling, an emotion that has been eloquently hashtagged by them media types this year as the #spiritoflondon.
Maybe it has something to do with the history, the fact we have all watched it on the telly box as kids, that is record breaking, heart wrenching, full of smiles, tears and every emotion inbetween, a carnival of human endurance, of ordinary people doing an
extraordinary thing, turning I can’t into I can, the weak becoming heroes, a display of the true #spiritoflondon
Started in 1981 by Olympic champion Chris Brasher and John Disley when 6255 runners crossed the startline, the event has grown and grown. A record 386,050 people applied what’s left of the 41 000 places this year once the good for age, club and charity places are given. Maybe that’s part of the magic. It’s Willy Wonka’s Golden ticket, the prize that any runner would give their high teeth for.
This year a record 7 IWRR gained their places in the public ballot, unfortunately most of them had to defer through niggles and injuries, leaving only Karen Phillips, Zoe Sherwin and Clare Adams left on the startline on race day. Unusually only 2 club members took a charity places. Alison Batchelor ran for Get Kidz Going and Garry Sharp running for Sense (his wife Sarah got him the place as a surprise 50th birthday present!) Dean Pike and Glen Jones won their places at the annual Christmas Awards Party via a game of musical chairs, whilst all our other runners gained their places via the Good For Age qualification process, showing what an amazing year of running the Roadrunners have had.
The runners were visibly nervous but excited as they made their way to Blackheath for the start. A few tears were shed as they kissed goodbye to their loved ones and entered the runners only enclosure.
10 am on the dot came and they were off. Started by none other than Her Majesty The Queen via a video link from Windsor Castle.
In true Roadrunners style there was a huge support crew sent up to cheer, scream and make as much noise as possible, and not just at our Roadrunners either
”You know exactly what runners need to hear from the crowd, because you’ve run a marathon” said Ladies Captain Julie Ray. “It can really spur on tired legs in the final stages”
After leaving mile 6 the support crew split to go to miles 22, 23 and 25 to catch their loved ones and club mates towards the end of the race when a boost from the sidelines is vital.
“It’s so emotional waiting for all your friends to come past you safe and sound” said Sarah Holmes “especially this year with the hot weather, it was such a relief to see them one by one and see that they were smiling still”
First across the line was Speedster Michael Douglas in a lightning PB of just over 2hrs and 55 mins. In just his 2nd marathon, I’m sure there is more to come from this amazing young man.
Bill Goozee was next to make his way down The Mall as he nipped just under 3 hours with Stuart Backhouse not quite 15 minutes later.
“That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done” Stuart said afterwards “The heat was a killer”
Punk Rock king Dean Pike was the next to make his way down the finishing straight outside Buckingham Palace. His trade mark Mohican hair was looking a bit worse for wear, as he ran his socks off to get himself a 4 minute PB.
Richard Harvey, Pete Sexton and Nick Kenney all came in within 5 minutes of each other to collect their medals.
The 1st of the girls was next in as Zoe Sherwin romped home in under 4 hours. A remarkable achievement for her debut at the distance.
“I ran that with everything I had. I was so hoping to go under 4 hours but I didn’t quite believe that it could happen given the conditions. But it did, I am so happy I could burst!”
Chairman Glen Jones got his medal next in yet another PB for him.
“That’s the best I’ve ever felt at the end of a marathon. I even managed to sprint down The Mall. The support on the way was fantastic, especially at Tower Bridge. It was a real OMG! moment that I’ll never forget!”
It was Julie Dixon and Garry Sharp though who both started out brilliantly but struggled in the latter stages of the race. Julie’s foot injury reared it’s ugly head and Garry suffered in the heat. Somehow despite there being 40000 other runners they happened to find each other in the last half a mile of the race. They stuck together and pulled each other through the never ending final furlong in the true #spiritoflondon
“I was so pleased to see Garry” said Julie “I had been walk/running for miles in tears. It was an amazing feeling to cross the finishline with a friend after such a hard battle”
Karen was next to see the finish closely followed by Nicky Thompson.
“I loved the crowds and especially seeing the Roadrunners on route, it really kept me going” said Karen
A very smiley Gill Bushell collected her medal next, with Alison Batchelor running with her brother soon after. Clare Adams bought the teams bidding to a close. Brilliant to see her back after a period away from running, she was also lucky enough to get a place in the ballot for the New York Marathon at the end of the year…. can’t wait to see how you get on there Clare.
So that’s it for another year. The roads are back open, the empty bottles swept away, the mile markers packed down and our capital city is back to normal again. Heroes made, stories to tell, memories forever. Team London you ran your club proud.
Same time, same place next year?…. oh go on then!
BALLOT OPENS MONDAY!!!!
M.Douglas- 2.55.37
B.Goozee- 2.59.02
S.Backhouse- 3.15.40
D.Pike- 3.28.17
R.Harvey- 3.29.25
P.Sexton- 3.31.25
N.Kenney- 3.34.02
Z.Sherwin- 3.57.30
G.Jones- 4.03.00
J.Dixon- 4.12.49
G.Sharp- 4.13.06
K.Phillips- 4.42.12
N.Thompson- 4.45.04
G.Bushell- 5.15.33
A.Batchelor- 5.17.29
C.Adams-5.42.09
