Virgin London Marathon Results
Results here.
Tony Smith's experiences - After 12 weeks and 915 miles of training the big day came round very quick. Surprisingly, I had a fairly injury free 12 weeks and managed to juggle my long runs around the HRRL races. Fortunately I was able to secure a place representing the Army, in the Inter Services Marathon Championships (Navy v Army v RAF) which takes place annually at the London Marathon and with this you get a Championship start. The Championship start reduces the stress on race day with your own little admin area at the blue start and you get to start the race just behind the Elite athletes (so no excuses for a bad start!).
0945 and Sir Richard Branson is about 20 meters away stood on the starters podium, dressed as what I can only describe as a very odd looking fairy! He starts the race and the Elite men are off at sub 5 min miles from the off. I let them do their own thing and try and be disciplined and start at my race pace plan of 6:30’s.
You can’t help but be carried along at the start and the first 3 miles are a tad quick (6:18, 6:20 and 6:10!). I then joined forces with a couple of RAF runners who were also doing 6:30 pace and joined them for the next 14 miles. Their pacing was spot on at almost every mile marker and we went through half way just over 1:25, bang on for my target of 2:50.
The two RAF guys started to drop off the pace at about the 18 mile point and I pressed on. However, at mile 20, there it was, sat there waiting for me....The Wall, not so much a 6 ft wall but maybe a small garden wall. My pace didn’t drop dramatically, in fact I was still catching and overtaking runners that had picked up a much bigger wall than me! I dropped over 2 minutes in the last 6 miles but ran up The Mall with the biggest smile on my face. I could see the clock just click over to 2 hours and 52 minutes and finished in 2:52:42.
Susie Macgregor's experiences - I finally got to the start of the London Marathon. After being injured last year and having to defer, I was pleased that after all the training I had done, I was to be part of the London Marathon 2010
What a fantastic day. After meeting the rest of the Stubbies at the blue start we headed off to our allocated pens. I thought that I would be more nervous than I actually was. I think having Verity by my side helped tremendously. Once we actually got over the start line it was slow going all the way and very frustrating that I couldn't get into my pace. I had to keep focused and not get stressed and just enjoy the day.
The supporters were fantastic and to hear people shouting your name was such a boost. I did start to get emotional at about 20 miles and had to remind myself to keep it together. I think that I was just overwhelmed by the whole thing. I managed to spot my husband at 9 & 11 miles and then heard a shout out from Mike Harper which was great. It gives you such a lift when you see someone you know.
Towards the end I was tiring as was going into unknown territory at 22 miles. My Garmin went wrong and registered 24 miles but was only in fact at mile 23 so that was hard to get my mind back on track. When I finally saw the finish, what a great feeling. I ran over the finish and collected my goodie bag and medal and headed off to collect my kit bag and was just walking in a total daze until some man shouted at me that I was to collect my kit bag from his lorry. I then entered the meet and greet area and was walking round with my finishers t-shirt and medal on and feeling really proud that I had actually completed my first marathon and was still able to walk and talk !
I really enjoyed the race and was lucky enough to get Good for Age for next year so I will definitely be entering next year and do it all again !
I would also like to say thanks to all my running/training partners. You all have helped me a great deal with your words of wisdom and experience and couldn't have done it without you !
Rays London Race experiences - Similar to Tony's heavy mileage - I hit 714 miles in my 16 week programme to run London (may be not enough) and I ran a few distance races of Cranleigh Meon Valley and Surrey Spitfire - I thought I was ready to do "my time" in my first London after being refused so many times! So I say a Big thank you to the committee for giving me a place this year.
Being in pen 3, I was happy thinking I would have a good start to the race, but the amount of runners ahead was huge!! you just had to get on with it!! I met and over took Nick Kimber at about 3 miles. And at the start I met Richie (Denmead Runners) who ran with me up to about 17 miles, when I moved ahead but within a short time he over took me to finish better than me.
I was very happy until the 20 mile mark when I suppose you could say I hit my wall. I slowed badly but did not stop running till the finishing straight- I had no more left in my legs but I did run the last ten metres to over the line.
The atmosphere was amazing, the noise all the way round was fabulous, I did not realize how loud it was going to be!
Yes I finished- Yes I enjoyed the day- but now I still want to break the time I have set myself for the marathon !! So it looks like my dear wife Karen will suffer another 4 months of running, spectating and pasta!! (oh no,not more pasta!!x x)
Why? Just because the time is there to be broken!!!
Many thanks to all who helped me during the training and who were at London supporting "the Stubbies"
Place Category |
surname |
BIB |
Category |
HALF |
Finish time |
||
574 |
562 |
370 |
» Smith, Anthony P (GBR) (Running for the Army) |
758 |
18-39 |
01:25:28 |
02:52:42 |
3437 |
3090 |
480 |
25092 |
45-49 |
01:31:50 |
03:24:10 |
|
4514 |
3978 |
293 |
3584 |
50-54 |
01:40:59 |
03:30:46 |
|
5530 |
752 |
136 |
24324 |
40-44 |
01:50:36 |
03:36:59 |
|
6373 |
5419 |
1119 |
22644 |
40-44 |
01:48:55 |
03:41:23 |
|
6802 |
5746 |
3064 |
25091 |
18-39 |
01:48:32 |
03:43:48 |
|
9440 |
7809 |
1106 |
19915 |
45-49 |
01:54:41 |
03:54:59 |
|
11148 |
9119 |
678 |
25093 |
50-54 |
01:59:32 |
04:00:46 |
|
14844 |
11823 |
879 |
22473 |
50-54 |
01:57:18 |
04:15:23 |
|
18947 |
4332 |
764 |
25089 |
40-44 |
02:08:34 |
04:30:05 |
|
25111 |
18444 |
2469 |
23976 |
45-49 |
02:10:24 |
04:54:29 |
|
25793 |
18848 |
1425 |
16752 |
50-54 |
02:20:09 |
04:57:29 |
|
| 26773 | 7351 | 417 | » Macintosh, Sandie (GBR) | 41419 | 50-54 | 02:23:42 | 05:01:57 |
31053 |
9217 |
1567 |
25090 |
40-44 |
02:26:31 |
05:28:45 |
More photos here.