- 9 years of waiting
- 7 failed ballot attempts before being lucky enough to have been drawn for my club place for April 2020
- April 2020 cancelled
- October 2020 cancelled
- Deferred to April 2022 to give the world time to recover
- The race then moved to October 2022
- ….and a train strike the week before
Although I may not be the fastest, I am determined, and nothing was going to stop me from making that London Marathon start line.
This is the one she’s waited for – Ian Brown/John Squire
Running the London Marathon: A Dream Come True
Since I started running, the London Marathon has been the one race on my bucket list. It’s iconic, televised worldwide, and everyone asks if you’ve run “the London one.” Finally, my turn had come, and I was determined to soak up every moment.
Training was challenging, but I felt prepared. With no time goal, I could enjoy the experience, run at a leisurely pace, and soak up the atmosphere I’d been dreaming about for years.
A train strike forced me onto an overnight bus. Sleep wasn’t great but I was grateful it got me to London on time. Exhausted, I arrived in the early morning hours, ready to start this marathon.
London Marathon Expo and Number Collection
I arrived in London at 6:10 a.m. feeling exhausted and in need of a strong cup of coffee. My first stop was London Excel to collect my race number for the London Marathon. While I could have asked someone to collect it for me and slept in a bit longer, I wanted the full experience.
Despite the long line to get into the hall, the number collection process was fast and easy. I also took some time to check out the stands at The Running Show and ended up buying some delicious flapjacks. Afterwards, I checked into my hotel for the night.
Race morning
I woke up feeling a bit colder than usual. I had my breakfast of porridge with banana and Biscoff, along with a cup of coffee and an Imodium to prepare for the day ahead. Despite the intense heat of the summer, I’ve come to enjoy wearing shorts for my training. I pulled on my matching kit and made my way to the start.
The London Marathon is massive, with three separate start areas that merge around the 5 km mark. I was in the blue wave, but as we boarded the train, a few of us realised that due to the train strike, no trains were stopping at Blackheath, my designated start area. Thankfully, clear signage at Maze Hill station guided us, and walking together to the start actually turned out to be a bonus warm-up. By the time we arrived, we’d already clocked around 5,000 steps! Chatting with fellow runners helped calm any pre-race nerves, and I started to feel genuinely excited.
The baggage drop was quick and stress-free, and before I knew it, it was time to head over to the starting pens. Everything ran like clockwork, all thanks to the amazing volunteers who kept us on schedule. Their support, smiles, and organisation made the start feel effortless, even with the chaos of a train strike looming behind us.
During the race
And just like that, we were off. I was finally running the London Marathon and for the first three miles, I was just so excited to be there. I refused to wear headphones because I figured I might not have another chance to experience this and wanted to absorb every second.
The energy and excitement of the event were unparalleled. Thousands of people lined the streets, making it impossible to find a moment of quiet. The course was quite crowded due to the high number of runners, and it became even more congested when the three separate starting areas merged. Additionally, the ground was littered with a sea of bottles at the water stations, so you had to tread carefully.
I didn’t look at the route beforehand because I wanted it to be a surprise, but I read an article that highlighted the most memorable parts of the race. I focused on Cutty Sark at mile 6, Tower Bridge just before halfway, and Birdcage Walk near the finish line. The miles passed by quickly, and I enjoyed chatting with other runners and admiring their costumes. I almost missed the Cutty Sark due to being so busy. I continued ticking off the miles until I reached Tower Bridge, which was one of the most unforgettable moments of the marathon.
Although everyone warned me I would be in tears by this point, I was too hyped to cry. The stretch after Tower Bridge was mentally challenging, as faster runners passed at mile 22 while I was only at mile 13. However, I remained unfazed and continued having a great time. Around mile 15, the weather began to warm up, which was surprising as rain was predicted.
Digging deep
The most challenging stretch of the marathon for me was between miles 22 and 25. Many people around me were walking, and the course’s narrower areas were congested. I lacked the energy to manoeuvre through them and opted to embrace the lively atmosphere while plodding on. Despite my Garmin being slightly off due to the tall buildings interfering with GPS, I spotted the Houses of Parliament, signalling that the finish line was near.
Birdcage Walk seemed endless, and after enduring the longest 400 meters of my life, we turned onto The Mall. The finish line came into view, adorned with flags from Queen Elizabeth’s funeral. As I crossed the finish line, I couldn’t help but think, ‘Charles won’t be too thrilled with all this in his front garden!’
And the result
I finished the marathon in 4 hours and 37 minutes and was pleased to see my friend Alan volunteering at the finish line. It’s always nice to have a friend who surprises you with chocolate in their coat pocket!
Once I finally had my medal around my neck and escaped the finish area, I grabbed my bag, threw on a warm jumper, and headed to the Royal Park to call my Dad. Sadly, he’d missed me on TV – coverage ended at 2:30 pm, and apparently, I’m not that fast. Note to self: next time, maybe run a little quicker…
Despite the years of longing, I finally achieved my goal of earning a medal. More importantly, I now have cherished memories of an unforgettable day.
