London Marathon
 The marathon left me with mixed feelings. I'm glad I did it because I really wanted to run 'The London Marathon'. The atmosphere, support and sense of occasion were definite highlights, it also was something I really wanted to do because many years ago it helped me through a difficult time after I got caught up in a bomb blast. I was pleased to finish it in 4:09:48 especially given that only in November I was injured and going out for twenty minutes and only running half of it. I also made it round without any lasting injuries. On the down side I struggled in the final third due to dehydration and the heat. This meant that I couldn't run all of it and I didn't enjoy it much towards the end. A big thanks to the club for giving me a place when I was struggling with injury and to Ann and Tommy for their support on the day. It was good to see Eric at the end too. I'd hoped to see other Stubbies and supporters but I must have missed you all, thanks for your support if you saw me. I raised about £750 for Coeliac UK which was another bonus and thanks to those that sponsored me. John Blake |
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After a pretty good nights sleep the alarm went. I turned over to my wife Siân and said “I’m staying in bed. I’m not doing it.” Her reply was “okay” and she turned over. It really sunk in then that there was only really one person going to get me around the course...
After a quick breakfast and shower, Siân sprayed my hair orange and then we set off for the short walk to the station. As we crossed Birdcage Walk/Parliament Square the hairs at the back of my neck went up. It started slowly – “There’s another runner!” the distinctive red bag a dead giveaway; then a couple more. As we approached Embankment there was a steady stream heading towards Charring Cross - gulp. After a short good bye Siân turned right and I went left, joining the flow to the station.
As the train passed through Waterloo East, I spotted John66 on the platform and, with a quick text, arranged to meet at Blackheath as we left the train. He seemed a little surprised at my hair. We then waited outside Starbucks for Enthusiastic to arrive before heading over to the Blue start together. In the enclosure, we saw some more Fetchies and then even more joined us and we chatted nervously about the race, the start, water etc. I spotted some runners from Brackla Harriers and went over to say hello and discussed some mutual running acquaintances. All too suddenly it seemed it was time to deposit our bags in the lorries and make our way into the pens. I was in Pen 9, along with John so starting right at the back.
I’m not entirely sure when the race started. I certainly didn’t hear a horn or siren but the crowd surged forward. As we approached the start line, I could see a number of men heading out of the pen to the urinals. I thought that was a splendid idea so said good bye and legged it. It was 9 miles until I saw John again...
The race itself is still a bit of a blur. The first few miles seem to have gone quite quickly but I was slower than the planned pace, mainly due to the number of runners. Things I do remember from the first half are:
Messing up between "Lap" and "Stop/Start" on the watch at mile 1
Saying hello to Wazelle the Gazelle and Toks near the start and Lady Sol a bit later on but not entirely sure where on the course.
My shoes sticking to the road as we go through Lucozade stations. I used gels every 4 miles and added some salt tablets to the water from 6 onwards. I kept passing other Fetchies – John66 at around 9 and a number of others whose names I can’t remember. I sent a pre-programmed text at 10 miles then before I knew it I was going over Tower Bridge and thankful for the breeze that appeared. After that I lined myself up for Fetchpoint with a passing thought of “oh that’s the Tower”. As I approached Fetchpoint I gave a loud yell and then spotted Siân in the crowd. Being in disguise didn’t help with the recognition but they were loud enough.
Docklands and Canary Wharf again blur a bit. I had no idea where I was – just counting down the miles. Gels at 16 and 20, water with salt tablets at 14 and 18. I passed a few more Fetchies, Stander and Cavey and I think Southcoastpete, as well, but he could have been after Fetchpoint, as well as a few more whose names, again, I don’t remember.
At some point, my right knee started hurting then went away. A blister appeared on one of my left toes. I remember it starting but not sure when...or when it just faded into the background of general discomfort.
Getting past 22, I again focused on Fetchpoint. There was no way, however, I was stopping for long as I wasn’t sure I would get going again. I grabbed a jaffa cake off Oceanspirit at the start of Fetchpoint then jogged along cocooned in noise until I spotted Siânat which point I dived in for a kiss ... jaffa still not fully consumed.
My next goal was to get through the underpass and see Em and family. My pace had drifted right off...I was 12min/mile and I just couldn’t get my legs to turn over any faster. I was overtaken by a fancy dress dog as we went in to the Blackfriars underpass. Once out from the underpass I was looking for Em. I thought I must have missed them but suddenly there they were and I was past with a wave and a shout.
I remember seeing Big Ben with the time at 3:40 ish and then spending some time trying to work out what time I might finish. 40km and I’m thinking “1.5 miles to go - I can do that in under 12 mins on a good day” but had nothing left in the tank. By this stage I’d stopped thanking people for the encouraging shouts of “Mykey!” but I snapped myself out of it - brought my head up, smiled and started shouting at the crowd when they went quiet, as I had earlier. I don’t remember Parliament Square and I have never taken so long to run down Birdcage Walk. Looking for 26 miles and seeing a sign saying “385 yards to go” instead made me smile. It seemed to last at least another mile but then it was all over. I vaguely remember doing an airplane in the final stretch but that might be my imagination...
I crossed the line at 4 hr 51 mins 13 second..way outside what I had wanted but from that point it was look up, smile, raise arms, cross the line, stop the watch and ask for a new pair of legs. “Ooo that scaffolding looks good!” So, up I jump, pull up on the scaffolding and my legs cramp up. Stagger to the medals...or were the chips cut off first? Goody bag, text, eat the most delicious apple in the world...ever. See Sioux, collect bag stagger on. Horseguards was crazy so tried to ring Siân to say I’d meet her on the other side but she was already coming through the arches so I meet her there.
Off now to the MS Society reception to be rubbed down by 2 lovely young ladies. It was very funny! When they tried to stretch my hamstrings, my hip cramped up. Tea and sandwiches consumed we headed to the pub. One drink was enough Sian had a g&t. I was on cider. Meeting even more Fetchies was great. We then walked another mile back to the flat via an Indian restaurant which didn’t mind our state of dress or my hair too much.
I finally fell asleep around 8.30.
Mike Edey
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Wow, I did it..... my 1st marathon completed!! £1280 of funds raised for St Vincents Hospice in memory of my Mum. I want to thank everyone who supported me raising funds and also everyone who supported me on the day but most of all I would like to thank the club for making it possible by allowing to have a club place. The advice and support received over the weeks before and on the day itself really made the whole experience just the best ever. I loved every minute and feel very lucky to have been given the opportunity. Thanks Team Stubby, you are all AMAZING!! Donna Mitchell |
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Emily Foran flew through the finishing line at the London Marathon in a time of 3h 20m 52s smashing the world record for being the Fastest Marathon Dressed as a Fairy!! Race report from officially the worlds fastest fairy: GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ at the VIRGIN LONDON MARATHON 2011
Superman Leads the Charge as Records Tumble on Historic Day
London - 18 April 2011 – Guinness World Records, the official authority on record-breaking, today confirmed that 35 new Guinness World Records were achieved at the 2011 Virgin London Marathon; more than at any time in the event’s history. 150 runners were provided with on-the-spot verification as they attempted to break records ranging from the Fastest Marathon Juggling a Football to the Most Rubik’s Cubes Solved Whilst Running a Marathon.
Superman, AKA David Stone from Exmouth in Devon, flew through the finish line in a time of 2 hours 42 minutes and 46 seconds, smashing the record for the Fastest Marathon Dressed as a Superhero in the process. Hot on his heels was Sheffield’s Jon Morgan who, dressed as Fred Flintstone, recorded a time of 2hours 46minuted and 59seconds breaking the Guinness World Record for the Fastest Marathon Dressed as a Cartoon Character.
Male runners wearing ‘female nurse’ uniform always go down well with the marathon spectators, but Kevin Harvey, a 36 year-old physiotherapist from Birmingham, proved no laughing matter with a finish time of 2hours 52minutes and 26seconds, breaking the Guinness World Record for the Fastest Marathon in a Nurse's Uniform. Arguably the most impressive run on the day came from Carl Creasey who attempted the Fastest Marathon Carrying 60 lb pack. A Sergeant serving in the Royal Marines, Carl from Ipswich achieved an agonising new record in a time of 4hours 50minutes and 56seconds.
Marathon stalwart John Sandford Hart from Mudeford achieved two Guinness World Records with Fastest Marathon Completed on Crutches – one leg (6h 24m 48s) and Most Marathons Completed on Crutches (6).
Germany’s Uli Killian achieved a new Guinness World Record for the Most Rubik’s Cubes Solved Whilst Running a Marathon (100 solved in 4hours 45minutes 43seconds), while a team of 47 runners led by David Whillans showed true team-work by making it round the course in 7h 28m 43s to take the record for the Most Runners Linked to Complete a Marathon.
One of the final Guinness World Records achieved on the day also provided the most jubilant celebrations. 7 hours and 55 minutes after the marathon officially started, a band consisting of 20 musicians crossed the finishing line and achieving a new Guinness World Record for the Fastest Marching Band, having played for the entire 26.2 mile course.
- Ends -
For more information on the Runners and Pictures please contact press@guinnessworldrecords.com or Damian Field on 0207 891 4518
Full List of Guinness World Records Achieved on the day:
About Guinness World Records Guinness World Records is the universally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement. First published in 1955, the annual Guinness World Records book is published in more than 100 countries and 25 languages and is one of the highest-selling books under copyright of all time with more than 3 million copies sold annually across the globe. Guinness World Records celebrated its 50th anniversary edition in 2004, a year after the sale of its 100 millionth copy. Guinness World Records also annually publishes the Gamer’s Edition; a records book devoted solely to the world of computer gaming and high score record achievements. The Guinness World Records website (www.guinnessworldrecords.com) receives more than 11 million visitors a year. |
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LONDON Marathon - Our son Peter – a Stubby finished in 2-52:18 and was 555th overall. Peter was the last one in our family to run this event. Trevor as a student ran it in 1991, 1992 and 1993, Anne in 1995 and John and Roger in 2007. Ann & John Fairhurst. |
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