Pre-Race:
Exciting build-up to a great race. Huge expectation as Mo Farah prepares for marathon debut against possibly the strongest ever field of runners ever assembled for this distance.
Perfect weather forecasted. Bought loads of race kit at the fantastic expo at the ExCel (kit that could not be used for race because it had not been used for training).
Travelled up to London on race day by train along with thousands of participants and supporters. Great atmosphere.
Jim and Helen wore their legs out the week before at Brighton Marathon. Emma had just recovered from a nasty tummy virus. Mike had no excuses.
Jim and Helen got text messages an hour or two before the start, because TV coverage was showing clips of them filmed at the expo a few days earlier.
The Race:
Nearly 36,000 runners and maybe 150,000 supporters in ideal conditions in a well organised big city marathon. Amazing experience. Your name being shouted out by spectators every step of the way. Running across Tower Bridge and past other monuments with no traffic.
Emma, Helen, Mike and Jim were lucky enough to be in good-for-age pens, so everyone running at similar pace and no major bottle-necks.
Emma and Helen ran together for most of the race. Mike and Jim were together until mile 16, when Jim's legs turned to lead.
Emma and Helen ran good fast races and both got close to their personal bests.
Jim slowed progressively in the last 10 miles and was overtaken by an astronaut wearing a massive helmet plus a bride in a wedding dress.
Mike cruised the final mile, knowing he was on target, and savoured every moment as he crossed the line in 2:59. A personal best.
Post-Race:
Lots of fun and games trying to all meet up amongst crowds of runners and spectators, without mobile phone coverage because everyone was texting simultaneously.
Mo did a good debut, coming 8th and beat the current Olympic Champion (amongst others) but he was a minute slower than Steve Jones' 30 year old British record of 2:07 (which included a toilet-break incredibly).
The results software is quite sophisticated. Mike finished faster than 96% of the entire field and he overtook 111 runners in the last 5miles. Jim was overtaken by 1,022 runners in the last 5 miles (but he did manage to overtake 9 runners during that time).
It was fantastic to get texts and facebook messages from well-wishers. A big "thank you" to all at MSTC for their support.
|
Place overall |
Place gender |
Place category |
Name |
Club |
Runner no |
Category |
HALF |
Finish time |
|
7578 |
1333 |
180 |
Mid S... |
28603 |
45-49 |
01:50:22 |
03:43:47 |
|
|
3493 |
3145 |
277 |
Mid S... |
31471 |
50-54 |
01:28:07 |
03:19:47 |
|
|
8724 |
1678 |
233 |
Mid S... |
29219 |
45-49 |
01:50:24 |
03:48:51 |
|
|
1312 |
1247 |
158 |
Mid S... |
29299 |
45-49 |
01:28:31 |
02:59:25 |