Magnificent Marathon Sunday
It was what can only be described as sweltering heat 86,000 runners gathered in London & Manchester to pound the streets in temperatures over 20 degree C to complete in their respective marathons.
36,000 entries were recorded for Manchester the biggest since its inception and the second biggest marathon after London in the UK watched by over 140,000 spectators with many of the runners running for a number of worthy causes close to their hearts raising over £4,000,000 for charitable causes.
One such runner was Makers Commercial Manager Joe Marler who had been diligently following the running plan 119 days, which provided a step by step daily running program to follow created by DJ Chris Evans famous for both BBC2 radio and Virgin Radio, but as Joe pointed out, all of his training had been done in much lower temperatures and not the hot conditions the race day presented.
Whilst many of the participants were running for a particular cause there were those who were here to run an elite race and were looking to break records. For many the anticipation of the start can be draining with flights of runners leaving the starting position at Old Trafford every 10 minutes.
At 9.00am the Elite men’s and woman’s races set off at a daunting pace that with the timing vehicle announcing their imminent arrival by the halfway stage at the most southernly part of the course in Altringham had barely passed the hour mark when they came hurtling towards the expectant crowds who came out of nearby cafes and shops to voice their support marvelled by the speed of the Elite runners.
Not far behind was the Guinness World Record Holder Steve Hughes who was the first to cross the line on an adapted mobility scooter powered by ski poles knocking off 21 minutes of his previous record setting attempt the previous year completing the 26.2-mile course.
As wave upon wave left the start line there were many who were still waiting to start as the Elite runners crossed the finish line, now for the first time located outside Manchester University with the winner of the men’s Elite race Josh Griffiths winning an amazing time of 2 hours 16 minutes 56 seconds and the first female Elite runner Tessa McCormick winning in 2 hours 34 minutes 53 seconds.
For Joe, like many of the participants, it was all about the completing of the event, with over 50% of the participants in the Manchester Marathon running their first marathon. Whilst many were sporting the latest in running gear there were those not merely content with running 26.2 miles in sweltering conditions added a further layer of challenge by running in Crocs, pushing wheelbarrows, wearing cricket gear, full cartoon and superhero characters or dressed as a tin can but all hoping to complete the course.
“It’s been an amazing experience just being a spectator and I’ve realised how under prepared I was….whilst I am here to lend my support to Joe, you begin talking with others, listening to their stories and before long you are giving a shout out to those running past, many in deep focus and concentration, others delighted for the boost with a mouthed thank you, thumbs up or just a smile but with each shout out of encouragement providing that little lift to keep them going.
After about 4 hours you realise you haven’t yet seen the person whom you came to support, you keep frantically checking the individual active tracker, calculating if they are close by, getting cameras ready and constantly scanning the approaching groups looking for a specific shirt colour in order to shout their name as loud as possible….
It’s exhilarating and infectious and small support communities form, with back up photos, phone chargers, but those of more experience of such matters come with pre-made signs, cowbells, whistles or anything else that can make noise to encourage the runners…
You then get the drama and anticipation as people quickly prepare as their particular runner is approaching, nerves, tensioning sweat for that split second of recognition and delighted response before they are off and gone in a second as you scream your encouragement, and as quick as they arrived, they’ve gone!”
Simon Lamb Managing Director Makers
Joe set out to complete his Marathon in around 5 hours so his flight was one of the last to depart in what would be the hottest part of the day, but he completed the course in a very respectable time of 4 hours 33 minutes 15 seconds crossing the finishing line in 13,611 place.
When asked what was the hardest part Joe responded…
“The start as you wait with anticipation, and use up vital energy, keeping hydrated was both difficult and challenging trying to drink and run at the same time wasn’t easy. I was fortunate that I had a number of supporters who were dotted around the course which gave me an added boost when I really needed it… it also became frustrating as the further you went into the course people would just stop running and begin to walk which would through you out of your rhythm, which seemed to come into its own around mile 16.”
When asked if he would enter again…
“No, I’m done now, it’s off my bucket list but I will continue to run just to maintain my fitness. Back in January I couldn’t even run a mile without stopping, I’m now 3 stone lighter and eating much more healthily and despite my current aches and pains I feel in really good shape.”
Would you recommend everyone having a go?
“It’s not for everyone, I was driven really by the charity I was running for The British Heart Foundation, and I would really like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who sponsored me, all those who came along to support, and all those that have helped me through… what I would say is that if you want to enjoy the experience it is best to put in the hard yards or else it just becomes too easy to fall out, you have to be mentally strong as much as physically strong as you are constantly fighting yourself, and you don’t want a DNF against your name.”
As with all these incredible events there are a number of unsung heroes in the background who without their contributions these events could not take place, from the Police, who ensured that no unauthorised vehicles were on the course, to the clean-up gangs who will look to return the streets back to a degree of normality as quickly as possible after the race concludes.
“As this was my first time attending a marathon, you can’t fail to feel the positive energy that is being created from the massing crowds, expectant runners and vendors. Local residents too take on the ambassador roles towards all the visitors, while smiles are numerous and everyone is full of nervous energy, I’m sure the weather had a major part in this and Altringham was a fantastic place to take in the marathon, but if I was to come again I’d bring something to make noise with and really join in the party atmosphere, but then stay a while longer to encourage those who are struggling to get round in fear of the sweep up bus, nobody wants to see that”.
Simon Lamb MD Makers Construction
Congratulations Joe a fantastic achievement in completing your first marathoning 4hours 33 minutes 15 seconds and raising an incredible £ 2,356 for the British Heart Foundation. If you would like to still support Joe and his fundraising please click on the link below.