London Marathon 2024

Wake up at 5am, travel to London, share toilets with thousands of people and wait in the cold for almost two hours before running almost 27 miles for a medal and a sense of pride. Was it worth it? Absolutely. The London Marathon is an epic event for the people running it, the crowds that roar you on and the organisers who make it all possible. It makes you happy to be alive.

Would I do it again? I was incredibly fortunate to get a ballot place for this year’s event and would rather someone else receive the “You’re in” email to cherish the memory of the training and race day.

It was my fifth marathon and not my fastest time, but it was the first time I did not hit the wall and struggle through the final six miles. I was strong, steady and nailed my fuelling to run past the four-hour pacemakers and finish in 3 hours and 49 minutes. Is that a good time? If I had really tried, could I have set a personal best? I don’t care because I finished with a smile on my face. That feeling is priceless.

I only looked at my watch a few times during the race as I knew I could only do my best and checking my split times would just stress me out. It is an immersive experience and the people filming themselves with a GoPro or stopping for selfies are missing the opportunity to live, see and feel the experience.

I was fascinated by how many times an American runner had to tell people he was from Minnesota as if flying across the Atlantic to enter a famous event was up there with walking on the Moon. There were people from all over the world running the race. Runners would strike up conversation and then one would seem apologetic for having to leave and focus on running. As you only met two minutes ago, I’m sure you will forget each other by the next mile marker.

I was annoyed that I was running at conversational pace and demanded more from my Nike Alphafly trainers. While I felt a strong bond with everyone on the course I couldn’t bring myself to join in with the chant of Oggy Oggy Oggy Oi Oi Oi.

I am a good guy and refuse to be a hypocrite. After complaining about rude runners at the Battersea Park Half Marathon I should apologise to the two fellow runners I accidentally crashed into when they blocked my path. Although I almost fell over, I should not have cursed and I hope this did not affect your enjoyment of the day.

People crying, people smiling, people waving to their loved ones and pictures of mums, dads and children on the back of t-shirts to serve as inspiration for those they adorn and to make everyone else think about their reasons for running. So many thoughts go through your head and I could sense the weight on people’s shoulders as they realised that a marathon is a long, long way. If you are doing your best, you have not let anyone down, just keep going until you finish.

It was congested and you end up running more than 26.2 miles due to all the weaving and sideways running. Unless you are an elite runner you have to accept this as part of the deal. I would say that some runners are overly optimistic about their predicted finish times and should have been honest and started in a later wave. However, I expect people stuck behind me wished I would follow my own advice.

Thank you to everyone who cheered me on and congratulated me as I walked to the train station and on the train home. A medal around your neck can start a conversation and make you thankful for what you achieved by running a race. The London Marathon means something to everyone who runs it.

A long time ago I knew someone who ran the London Marathon with a fake number as he needed a reason to exist and make it to the weekend. It was a stupid thing to do. When you run it for real you understand why it is an authentic experience that cannot be faked. Running can change lives so enter the ballot for next year’s event, run for charity or come from overseas to discover our capital city.