Results

Position	Posn (gender)	Posn (age grp)	Name	Group	Time
616	601	124	Owen Harries	M40	2:54:33
1312	76	2	Sally Gilbert	W50	3:05:26
6477	5405	801	Kevin Gilbert	M45	3:43:23
6902	5836	3117	James Allen	M18	3:45:44
7635	1227	753	Becky Mulley	W18	3:49:11
26983	7161	4514	Hannah Spink	W18	5:07:47

Sally, Owen, Becky, Kevin & James

Marathon Report by Owen.

Following the months of training through all conditions from hot sunshine to snow and ice the day of the last Flora London marathon (next year will see a sponsor change to Virgin) dawned bright and clear. The first task is to get to the start line(s) at Blackheath, with in excess of 35,000 entrants extra trains are laid on from London out to the 3 nearest stations to the start. Top tip for anyone planning to take these trains is to get on at Charing Cross because by the time the train gets to the next stop (Waterloo East) it is already full of nervous runners and the extra passengers need to be crammed together in a scene similar to that seen in Japanese undergrounds.

The atmosphere by this point is one of nervous anticipation. In complete contrast to normal journeys on the tube or train strangers are actually talking to each other. The conversations are always the same though, 'what time are you going for?' 'how much training have you done?' 'First marathon?'. The train I was on pulled into Blackheath station and disgorged its cargo. I'm walking out of the station when I spot a familiar red Team Southampton sweatshirt in the crowd, Sally was waiting for Kevin to arrive on the next train. The 3 of us can then do the short walk up to the heath. We soon have to split up again though as Sally and Kevin are on the blue start while I am on red. The huge number of runners means the race actually starts on 3 different roads and its only after 4 miles that everyone is running the same route.

The start and holding area I have to go to is new for this year, 'Fast good for age' and located at the front of the mass race start pens. Should mean I don't need to barge past Gordon Ramsay or any other celebrities who in previous years have been ahead of good for age runners. Actually I had taken a look earlier in the week at a list of celebs running and only recognized about 10% of the names, obviously I don't watch enough TV or soaps. The rest of the time before the start is taken up with getting changed, keeping hydrated, queuing for the loo as over hydrated, dropping the kit bag off and a short warm up run. The temperature by this time is pleasantly warm so no need to wear the usual bin liner to keep warm. Before long its time to go from the holding pen out to the start line. I'm not at the head of the queue to leave the pen so end up about 100m behind the actual start line. Its chip timed so not a problem. Alongside me is a runner from Winchester, Karen Hazlitt so pass the time chatting to her.

The gun when it goes almost catches us by surprise, within 30 sec or so I'm crossing the start line and hit go on the watch. As usual the initial stages are busy and your running at the speed of the person ahead. Fairly reasonable pace so don't try and dodge past many people. Go through the first mile in just over 6 mins which is the fastest first mile of a marathon I've ever done. Time to ease down a bit and settle into a rhythm I think I can sustain. Pretty busy still but have room to run or space to pass, through 3 miles and heart rate and pace have settled. Around this time the blue start route runs parallel with the red route before the two finally join together adding to the congestion a little bit. Fairly warm even at this early stage so running in the shade where possible. Around the 6 mile mark I spot a familiar red and white striped vest ahead, Its Sally, didn't expect that. She's running well but easing back on the pace after a fast start so after a quick chat we split up.

The Cutty Sark is still covered in plastic sheet and boarded up so not much of a landmark at the moment but still a point to tick off on the route, then it's onwards round the Surrey Quays area. Crowds are building up by now and noise level increasing. Still feeling reasonably good and looking forward to Tower Bridge now and getting over the river. This year only one side of Tower bridge was open to supporters so the noise level was not quite as mad as it had been on previous times, still packed on one side with cheering supporters 4 deep. Soon after Tower Bridge I spot or more correctly hear Emyr and Trevor on the roadside, Emry has borrowed a megaphone to ensure he's heard. I go through half way in around 1:26, happy with that but legs are beginning to burn a little more than I would like.

Onto the Isle of Dogs next and Westferry circus, looking out for Dad and my Aunt who were providing support here. Finally spot them, aunt waving madly and dad with the camera. Miles 16 to 19 take us round the isle of dogs and past Canary Wharf. With all the tall buildings the noise bounces back and forwards between them. Legs are defiantly feeling it by now, thigh muscle burning nicely but at least the shin pain I had had in the build up has not got worse.

After the noise of Canary Wharf the next section is relatively quiet. The route then returns to run on the opposite carriageway we had been on after Tower Bridge. The runners on the other side of the road are like a multicoloured flowing river. Emyr and Trevor have changed to the other side of the road and I get some more encouragement. Pass the 21 mile marker and can now start playing mind games with myself comparing the distance to go with routes done in training, 5 miles = just the loop round the estate, 4 miles = couple of laps of the Common etc. My pace has dropped but know I'm on for around a 2:55. Passing quite a lot of people despite the slowing pace. Concentrating on keeping a steady stride and there is now way I want to stop, I would never get running again. Onto the Embankment and can start to enjoy it again, counting down the miles and in my own zone so miss dad and my aunt who have relocated to around here.

Make the turn onto Birdcage walk, soon the signs are counting down in meters, 800m, just 2 laps of the track. Remember to look at Buck house as turn onto the Mall. Last 385 yards and a check to see there is no one in fancy dress behind to mess up my finishers photo and it over the line. Finish line clock was under 2:55 and the chip timing made it 2:54:33. Pheww

After the finish you get processed through the system, chip removed from your shoe, medal, photo, collect goody bag, reclaim kit bag. Slick organization. Legs have seized up by now and am doing just shuffling along. Our prearranged meeting point was in St James Park. Even sitting down is hard by now and once sat on the grass I'm not moving. My dad and aunt turn up and ply me with food. Next to arrive are Sally and Kevin, both have done great times. Sally ended up placing 2nd in her age category. Kevin missing out on a pb by only a few seconds. James arrives next having successfully completed his first marathon. Face covered in salt and sunglasses still on. A few minutes later and Becky arrives, she had also found the temperature hard but happy to have finished. Or is it just happy that the self imposed alcohol ban since the new year was over?
After recovering for a bit we make out way home, the stairs down the tube are a last cruel reminder of sore legs.

Please Note:
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