It couldn’t get any colder or more painful. That was my feeling in Docklands during the second of three heavy and icy rain showers half way round this year’s Flora London Marathon. But the thousands of supporters lining the route stayed put and so we owed it to them to keep going through the temporary awful weather. I nearly said keep running, but by mile 15 my aged and aching legs had given up and gone to heaven so, along with many others, I decided to walk the rest of the way to the Mall to earn my finisher’s medal.
As one of the 26 strong 2008 Jesuit Missions team, I was taking part in my second ever marathon, running again to raise money for Makumbi Mission in Zimbabwe . Again my 14 year old daughter had written my name on my JM branded running vest and the supporters’ shouts kept my spirits up.
The Director of Jesuit Missions, Fr Tim Curtis, running his first marathon led us in prayer just before the start during a group hug for the whole team and, magnificently leading from behind (his words not mine), was motivated to keep going when the crowd misread his vest and encouraged him with ‘come on JIM’.
My 17 year old son’s contribution was to record songs of his choice onto my first ever iPod to help me run to. Imagine my feeling of joy and pride as I crossed the starting line listening to the first song which was David Bowie singing, ‘We can be Heroes, Just for One Day’. I didn’t think he had it in him.
I knew I was slow when I was overtaken in Canary Wharf by an elderly lady who was knitting a scarf while running. And then by an 85 years young man with a sign reading ‘Running in. Please Pass.’ I very nearly fainted at around the 20 mile mark but two other runners caught me as I was wobbling and the St John’s Ambulance people helped me recover with excellent personal attention. I somehow got going again and was amused and stunned to hear the very next song on my iPod which was ‘Knock Knock Knocking on Heaven’s Door’ – honestly.
The three runners, Dermot Dooley, Brian Thursby-Pelham and Robert Dolinar SJ who volunteered to wear the Womble costumes deserve special congratulations as the rain made their outfits doubly heavy. And they all finished still wearing the costumes, unlike in the rain of 2006 when they had to be left along the route. Well done indeed.
Fr Tim said we missed a topical trick for gaining publicity as we should all have run as athletes with a mock-up Olympic Torch surrounded by a blue-suited Chinese security team. Now that would certainly have got JM on television - why didn’t I think of that.
I finished in record slow time so next year, in the final part of my marathon trilogy, I intend to carry one of those airport arrival signs reading ‘Taxi for Mr Hurst’ - please !!!
Now begins the offline marathon when we each have to get in all those financial pledges in order to make that target. But the cause is worth the effort.
Finally, a big thank you to Alan and to all the behind-the-scenes organisers of the JM London Marathon Team - it takes far more than just the runners to make this mind blowing day happen. Thank you all.