Lloyd's under 30s

London Marathon – A History

The City of London got its first marathon after former Olympic champion Chris Brasher returned from the New York Marathon feeling exhilarated and wanting to make the same event happen in his home town.
London truly deserves to have its own marathon race, as this was the city where the present marathon distance was set. In the 1908 Olympics, King Edward VII wanted the marathon race to start in the courtyard of Windsor Castle and end in front of the Royal Box at White City Stadium for the queen to see. This distance was 42.195 km as opposed to the original distance of 39,90 km in the first modern Olympics in Athens. The king’s command has been reality ever since.
The first London Marathon appeared in 1981, and the race has been widely popular right from the start. In the latest version of the marathon, on Sunday April 13 2008, more than 34,000 runners out of 92,000 applicants finished the race - making it the third largest in the London Marathon history. Each year almost a million people come to watch the runners from street corners and from the city’s impressive variety of pubs, making the event not just a marathon, but also a 42 km long street party. The next party will be on Sunday April 26, 2009.
The course of the Flora London Marathon is fast and flat, and basically runs along the River Thames on the south side and then the north side after crossing the river by the famous Tower Bridge. On the way from the start in Greenwich/Blackheath to Buckingham Palace, marathoners will pass a number of famous London landmarks, including Tower of London, London eye and the 140-year-old clipper ship, Cutty Sark. The fastness and scenery of the course makes the organisers describe it as ‘An Historical Jog around London’. You’ll have to come and see for yourself, if it’s an understatement to call this event a jog.
Fundraising plays a big role in the Flora London Marathon, and organisers claim it to be the largest annual fundraising event in the world. Since the first London Marathon in 1981, the participants have raised a total of £315 million for charity.


April 13th – The Big Day

The hard facts first: I finished in 4 hours 31 minutes and 59 seconds. My splits, at the end of this account, show a reasonable first half, but that I failed to keep up the pace in the second. My average pace was 10.22. I was 19,981st overall, the15,624th man and came 2,143rd in my age group.

I have run the London Marathon once before in 2005, managing a fairly respectable 4 hours and 5 minutes. This year i wanted to run faster and break that magical 4 hour barrier; however, I knew that realistically there was no chance. My training was sporadic at best, my diet wasn’t ideal and I was still drinking far too much! I set myself a realistic target of 4 hours 45mins – 5 hours.

I was determined run a more intelligent race than 2005; I told myself that this was a marathon, not a sprint. I told myself that I should be running 10 minute 15 second miles. Well, I crossed the start line 45 seconds after the elite runners, and although I spent the next 6 miles being overtaken by the field (including, rather disappointingly a gorilla!) I was still averaging 9 minute 15 second miles, I was comfortable – so what the hell, I kept that up!

I managed to catch, and pass the Maasai warrior tribe. This gave me a massive lift, as the support following these chaps was amazing; however, as the sunshine gave way to dark, ominous clouds (and eventually heavy rain) I was beginning to realize that there was the small matter of 20 odd miles to go!

Approaching Canary Wharf, I became filled with dread; it was here that it all began to go wrong last time. It was here that I hit the wall and I was determined not to let that happen again. My fears were not to be realized, as I was jogging through the tight intertwining streets I began to take in the sheer numbers of people that were cheering us all on, the numbers were simply overwhelming and the noise they created just incredible. It was one of the highlights of the race for me.

As I left Canary Wharf I knew that over 18 miles of the race were completed, I had just 8 to go, and I would see my family in about 4 miles, the crowd urged me on, I was actually enjoying this! Seeing my family around Tower Bridge was fantastic, and it was at this point I knew I would complete the course – it was just the spur I needed to push through the pain and the tiredness for the final 4 odd miles.

At mile 23 it started to rain again, very heavily, and continued until I reached Parliament Square. It was here it dawned on me that it was a solitary run: I didn't really speak to anyone else, apart from offering some encouragement to the odd runner here and there, including one who asked me in the Upper Thames Street tunnel how much further it was. I hope I reassured him and he managed to finish.

Although the rain was pouring down, I was trying to push on (although I was probably moving no faster!) I knew that with every step I took I was a step closer to home. However, the final half mile felt like I was running in quick sand, the end would just not come! However, I made it in the end. 4 hours 31 minutes and 59 seconds. The tiredness and pain forgotten, the elation and pride swelling in my chest. I had just finished the London Marathon 2008.

London is odd. The crowd support is quite extraordinary. Runners are offered jelly babies, orange segments, even beer by the spectators, just as one might feed zoo animals. I feel ambivalent about this: on the one hand it is impressive that people, some there to support family members or loved ones, some to support a charity, but many without any personal connection to the spectacle, should come and cheer the runners on. Why should they cheer a hot, sweaty man like me? There is an atmosphere of a village fête spread over 26 miles of roadside: the amateur bands, the pubs open early, the banners, the Morris men, even bell-ringers. It is a sight to behold. Without a doubt it helps the runners, and it is something that as a country we should be very proud of.

Many Thanks to everyone that sponsored me, especially the Lloyds Non marine u.30’s committee who kindly donated £1,000 to my chosen charity – The Lords Taverners. These guys work tirelessly to help disabled children have a more active life, and it’s something I support whole heartedly. Knowing that through this sponsorship, the small amount of pain that I have gone through will help not just the many young children of The Lords Taverners to have a better life, but also help many individuals through dozens of charities makes it all worthwhile.

The splits:
5 km 0:27:56

10 km 0:55:03

15 km 1:26:17

20 km 1:58:12

Half 2:05:11

25 km 2:33:57

30 km 3:08:17

35 km 3:44:01

40 km 4:18:

44 Finish 4:31:59

If you were wondering, the winner of the Elite men’s race, Martin Lel, finished the race 4 seconds after I crossed the half way point!