The London Marathon is special. It was the first marathon I'd heard of that wasn't an olympic sport, the first time I realised that lesser mortals could aspire to lofty goals. I remember 30 years ago when I was working in London going to watch it and wondering who was going to scrape up the Mars bars in the morning. I don't remember any of the folk I knew training (except Guinness and pasta) but we were young.
Every year I watch the start and highlights on tv. Every year I cry with pride and a whole range of feelings I don't know how to describe as those happy smiling optimistic human beans hit the starting gate. It's a magic mix of hope and optimism; fear and trepidation and the belief and determination that through all the tears and smiles, they will make it to the end.
There is something so totally and wonderfully human about the marathon, something so true to our humanity and our spirit of adventure, our solidarity and our courage. And maybe our wonderful and totally mad belief that we can do anything if we put our mind to it. It's also about how much we care for each other, running for almost every charity you can think of and usually in memory or celebration of someone they know and love. Runners helping each other, supporting each other.
That's us out there - hundreds and thousands of us, running a really long way. Wow!
This year was really special because I knew a lot of runners in the London Marathon. I knew what they'd been through to make their dream come true. The personal bests, the building up the distance over the long months of preparation, the injuries, the setbacks. Everyone had their own journey to get there, their own story, their own ending now. I also know a few folk in the crowd cheering them on - other runners who know how much that cheer matters when you're on the road.
I stand in awe of each and every one of the thousands of you ordinary remarkable people who donned your trainers and set off on an epic 26.2 mile journey. Most of you made it more or less in one piece, some did it quick - well done. Some did it slow - really well done - much harder to run for 6 hours. The marathon is about distance more than anything else - that's the challenge.
Some of you didn't make it round, or maybe couldn't make the starting line despite all your hard work We feel your pain and you have a much harder journey ahead, but you will be back and you will do it, honest. And we will all cheer extra loud cos your journey was even harder and longer.
To you all I send a massive hug and healing vibes for those aches and pains. You make us all proud to be human, proud to know you and desperate to get out there and run those marathons with you!
You are fab. We salute you!
Take care,
Suex
