30th April 1994
For a first event of its kind, outside the annual London event, the funds raised were beyond expectations and demonstrates the solidarity, which exists amongst the community, especially following the devastation caused by the earthquake. These funds will all go directly to children who have suffered and are still suffering because of the natural catastrophes that have plagued the sub-continent. It is planned to ensure that the distribution takes place within a matter of weeks
After the disappointment of 1993, when I had to withdraw from the London Marathon a week before race day through injury, some good news. On Sunday 17th April, after 5 hours and 3 minutes, I crossed the finishing line for this year’s race. The long time belies the story of an unforgettable day.
From around 7.30 a.m. at the massed start on Blackheath, competitors of all ages and abilities were congregating. We were swapping stories of peculiar training methods, who had the worst injuries, how we didn’t care if we never saw another bowl of pasta in our lives and who looked the best in their black bin liners. Bin liners are actually the cheapest way to keep warm before a race, as they are discarded as soon as the race gets going.
As the clock approached 9.30 the excitement was spreading faster than the smell of ralgex that was wafting above the 26,000 lunatics about to set off. For some of us however, the waiting was not over yet.
Due to the sheer numbers present, it was actually 09.43 before 1 even crossed the starting line. Once the race was underway it was time to savour the truly unique atmosphere.
The cross-section of participants was fascinating. Men and women from different countries, of different ages and some from different planets. There was a platoon of commandos in full battle dress carrying 501b packs going for a record time. A young man in a stunning white wedding dress clutching a bride’s bouquet. Six guys were running as a Chinese dragon; the list goes on. I was content to be in the standard shorts and T-shirt.
The enthusiasm and camaraderie generated by both the competitors and the spectators was stunning. If anyone looked like they were fading, there would be cheers and encouragement to lift their spirits. I am sure that was a major factor in seeing me all the way to the finish line in front of Buckingham Palace.
My own race was going extremely well, and I was on course to finish in under 4 hours until disaster struck at 18 miles. The injury that had prevented my competing in 1993 had returned with a vengeance. However after coming this far, I had no intention of giving up and catching the bus now. Though this meant that I virtually hobbled the last 18 miles and crossed the finish line some 4 hours and 50 minutes after I began. So although exhausted and in considerable pain, nothing could detract from the sense of achievement and indeed relief of having finished. It is an experience to be highly recommended not only for the physical and mental challenge but also because it gave me the opportunity to raise a lot of money for HELP A POOR CHILD and was a far more interesting way of seeing London than a One-Day Travel card.
Thanks go out to my family and friends for their support, my employers for their T-shirt and generous donation and to George Hillier for organising the sponsorship.
Ronnie Lewis
