Jerry Hawthorne Reports on the 2002 Flora London Marathon
Motivation for joining the Jesuit Missions London Marathon Team seems rather like the motivation of the biblical prodigal son - third class motives for first class aims. Third class motives because the run is a fulfihing personal challenge and, after the finish at least, fun for team members - but the Jesuit Missions' first class aims include: Aid to the Homeless in the Congo; Youth, Hunger, AIDS and Orphans in South Africa; Development Work in Guyana; Missions in Zambia and support for the Jesuit Refugee Service. Alan Fernandes and Tony Montfort from Jesuit Missions HQ put together a team of some 35 runners, including four brave (or foolish!) enough to wear Womble costumes for the whole 26.2miles. Jesuit Missions Team training included runs around Richmond Park on cold winter Sunday mornings followed by hot coffee and breakfast together with family and friends in Wimbledon Village. gave everyone a watery Easter blessing. Other runners, and people in the crowd, seemed to assume that anyone wearing a Jesuit Missions' T shirt was a Jesuit. The amount of backslapping and ‘come on you Js', indicating that there is much goodwill towards the Society of Jesus - although a shout, ‘Good on you, vicar' may also mean that, for some at least, ignorance is bliss! Alongside their 13 mile marker Flora had place a huge picture of a wall with the words ‘What wall?' emblazoned all over it. Long distance runners ‘hit the wall' when the body's energy supply nears exhaustion. At about that time another Jesuit Missions Womble T-shirt came into view - Brendan, an American teaching at a school in Sevenoaks. Exchanging a few words was a welcome distraction for a mile or two, but the London Docklands/Canary Wharf section of the route seemed to go on forever. The half-way mark - by then Paula Radcliffe had already won the Women's Marathon in the fastest ever time by a British woman and Khalid Khannouchi had broken the world record 2.05:38. Two hours ten minutes later, through Parliament Square and, at last, The Mall; brief pause to greet Bredan, Catherine and the Jesuit Missions supporters - and then on to the finish. Phew! In the Wimbledon College Prep. School (Donhead) minibus on the way to Waterloo East and the Start, members of the Jesuit Missions team exchanged thoughts and the banter steadied our pre-race nerves. Before the Start, runners were invited to wear ribbons commemorating the death of the Queen Mother and there was then an impressive and dignified two minute silence. Conditions in Greenwich Park were perfect for the 36,000 runners who poured over the start line at 09.45 hours. Shortly afterwards, as we passed by our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Charlton Road, the Parish Priest In Afterwards, a great party was provided at Jesuits Mission HQ in Wimbledon which was hugely appreciated. Thank-you to Flora for your efficient and personal approach to everyone, and special thank-you to all of the Jesuit Missions' first class sponsors. |
Jesuit Missions UK
