Sunday morning April 16th was chilly but pleasantly bright and sunny, in contrast to a windy and rainy Saturday. I walked from my hotel on Leicester Square to the nearby Charing Cross Station, meeting several other international runners taking the free train to Blackheath. Tights and a jacket kept me warm, along with a FTC cap, and a FTC singlet over a long-sleeved shirt. I was headed for the Green start, where the relatively small number of senior runners gathered, while the remainder of the other 30,000 divided themselves between two other starting points. My start was easy, with little time needed to cross the timing mat. In a few miles the three streams of runners converged, but it didn't seem crowded - except along the sidewalks. There were spectators nearly all along the course, several deep in most places. And they were spirited. Bands further enlivened the atmosphere. There was a steel band, and a bagpipe band, jazz and rock bands and a senior citizen choral group. Did I mention the hot air balloons? I eagerly photographed several, including a balloon sponsored by my favorite English grocery store, Sainsbury's. The runners sported singlets or t-shirts promoting their running club or a charity. I doubt if any charity was omitted: Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, motor neuron disease, child abuse, prostate cancer, mental handicap, and promotion of smoke alarms. Other runners ran in costume. One lady was dressed as a bee; a man as a dalmatian. There was a skeleton, and Batman.Meanwhile we ran along the waterfront and passed the Cutty Sark. We crossed Tower Bridge, saw Big Ben and ran along the Thames (mats were laid down to protect us from the uneven cobblestones). Rather soon I had warmed up, discarded my garbage bag and even given my running gloves to a high-fiving child at curbside. Several run-through tents with showers were erected over one lane of the road for runners who wanted to cool off (which merely goes to show the different ideas about WARM between Floridians and the British). The drink stations handed out a sports drink in a convenient 330 mL pouch with built-in drinking straw. The race went by quickly, and I never once thought "when is the next mile marker going to appear"? In fact I even missed a couple of markers. This was hard to do because miles were marked by an elaborate colorful scaffolding over the road, often decorated with balloons. I stopped to photograph the one at mile 25, shortly after getting a picture of race volunteers dressed as Beefeaters. And then it was over; altogether too soon. (This is in contrast to several other marathons that I thought would never end.) My only complaint would be that I wish the London Marathon would get some different sponsors to donate items for their goody bag. I gave my potato chips and candy bar to the baggage workers; and I haven't figured out what to do with the little Penguin books "The Little Book of Calm" and "Take Care of Yourself Inspiration and advice for body and soul". But I did find someone dressed as a banana, handing out samples. In answer to your question, "Would I go back to London?". An unequivocal YES!
Paul's London Marathon Photos
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