Update: 2012 London Marathon and Mini Marathon
Canaan Solomon won the U13 Boys Mini Marathon on Sunday morning (see Read More).
The finishers that we are aware of in today's London Marathon were: Harold Wyber 2:43.16; Mat Clarkson 2:50.14; CJ Shepherd 3:05.01; M50 Iain Cumming 3:13.13; M50 Alun Evans 3:14.09; M45 Martin Mack 3:15.51; M45 John Wallis 4:21.35; M45 Steve Lambert 4:35.40. 2nd claimer Grant Corton ran 4hrs 36mins.
Ken Bray"s daughter Sorrell, over from Oz, obviously enjoyed her London Marathon experience run in 3hrs. 54min.
The athletes' personal stories have now been added.
Canaan Solomon won the Under 13 boys race both regional and London Boroughs over 3 miles in a time of 16 mins 20 seconds, 8 seconds up on Hugo Milner and 9 seconds up on Markeim Lonsdale who both placed behind Canaan in the National earlier this year.
Canaan was with the leading group of 7 early on but then Hugo Milner pushed the pace on approaching Big Ben with Canaan and Lonsdale tracking him.At the last turn next to Buckingham Palace Canaan produced a tremendous sprint finish that left his rivals 60 metres down at the finish.
The athletes' stories
Harold Wyber: Much better than last year. While I still found myself a little hemmed in at the start, and I did respond to this with a little energy sapping slow runner dodging, I felt my pace from the off was a little more controlled. While I rarely stuck to my golden rule of "thou shalt not run sub-6:15", I generally sought to hold back and this saw me through to the Isle of Dogs in reasonably good shape.
Running south from Westferry Circus, I still felt ok, although I was beginning to wish I'd paid a visit to the portaloos before the start. I generally managed to maintain my pace, and it was a great comfort to get beyond where I'd passed out last year but coming up to mile 19 I was beginning to look for impromptu potential toliet areas. Fortunately, coming off the wharf along Trafalgar Way, I spotted a series of loos and nipped into the first one. This probably cost me a minute and, while I thought that my earlier fast paced miles might have spared me time for this, I made a point of reaching the next mile marker within my pace band time.
Coming back along Commercial Road / The Highway 6:18 began to feel less like an incredibly slow pace which I had to hold myself down to and more of an effort, and on a number of occasions my pace drifted up to 6:30. This sensation continued pretty much to the end, and coming down Birdcage Walk I was desperately looking ahead for the turning at the Victoria Monument signifying the final 385 yards, although I managed to pick up my pace for this.
All in all, I was pleased with my time and position. Having failed to complete last year's race, it was a comfort just to finish, and I can now look to target 2:40 or less, although I know that I'll need to do more marathon paced long runs as well as more interval work. Above all, the crowds were fantastic, and I was very glad to have my name on my vest - I guess having a distinctive and unusual forename helps but there were times when I felt like everyone was cheering me on, providing a massive boost.
Mat Clarkson: Good to see you on Sunday thanks for the support.
Pretty pleased with my race, couldn’t decide how to pace it as it was my first one and I’d missed a bit of training through injury and illness. In the end I decided to just run on feel and take it steady for the first half and if I felt OK pick up the pace from 13 to 20 then hope the crowd would carry me home from there, and that was pretty much how it played out. The last 3 miles were tough, especially the last mile, even my biceps were starting to cramp, but the crowd was amazing, deafening in places. Got loads of “Go on Woodford” shouts which spurred me on, including one especially loud shout with a couple of miles to go - “Go on Woodford, do it for Terry McCarthy!” which made me chuckle. Legs are still very sore 3 days later but hoping to get back to running more sensible distances soon.
CJ Shepherd: A bit disappointed with my time but on balance its a fair reflection of form and I gave all I had. I played it safe thinking hang with the 3 hr pacer and then cruise on by in last few miles. Problem was that the wheels fell off anyway sometime after 20 miles so, with hindsight, I reckon i should have just gone with it when i was feeling good and built up a buffer.
I gave it everything till legs, (mainly hams), seized up and I lost the pace group and with it the sub 3. Then motivation drained away I was just hanging on. Regardless of time, the sun was shining, crowds were amazing and raised a ot of cash in just a few days and my mate Russ’s family said i did him proud which was enough for me.
Iain Cumming: Thanks to you and all the others Woodies out on the course for their support yesterday, crowds brilliant as always. Have to say I think I did ok given limited mileage and a maximum long run of 16miles since last June! Had bigger blow outs when fitter.
Managed to hold it together pretty well until about 20miles and then it was gritting the teeth just to keep the legs moving and not walk. Glad I did it and got good for age now for next two years – look out sub 3hours and Nell McAndrew, I will do this! Little tired today but body generally in good shape, no sign of any injuries.
Alun Evans: Went through halfway in 1.31, feeling good. Outside possibility of beating my 1987 PB of 03.07.24. But miles 18 - 22 let me down. Eased off a bit at the end but very pleased with 3.14.09 and guaranteed "good for age" entry for 2013. Saw a smiling Harold Wyber at the finish!
Martin Mack: Thanks for the cheer yesterday. The crowds were fantastic.
Finished in 3:15:51 and just 78 seconds outside P.B at 46 years young so relatively happy however I thought a P.B was on the cards this year. I didn’t go off too fast and pacing was more or less spot on for a 3:15 throughout until 23-24 when I had my first walk. It was slightly too warm for a ginger and I have red shoulders and face to prove it.
Convinced I drank enough throughout the race but my thighs started to tighten at about 22 miles so maybe I was dehydrated. Damn crowds wouldn’t even let me walk for a minute! Am happy I gave it everything I had. I couldn’t even walk to the meeting point after the race without stopping 3 times!
Training went almost perfect other than a slight hamstring pull a couple of weeks ago that slowed the remaining training runs down but that wasn’t too bad being so close to the day and had no hamstring problems yesterday.
Did I do too many long runs? Seven 20 milers compared to 4 when I set my P.B. 4 years ago. Too much focus on quantity rather than quality? 60-70 miles/week this year rather than 40-45 miles/week when I set my P.B. Was feeling a bit lethargic with a few weeks ago and started to take some iron supplements (apparently heavy training can deplete iron levels) and maybe should have been taking these earlier.
I think I need to focus on speed and some 10k races this summer and rethink my marathon strategy next time.
John Wallis: Ran around pacing his partner Rachel to a 1-minute PB.
Steve Lambert: Had a mare. Had an injury which started to tighten in me left leg at 9 miles so think I must have over compensated on me right leg and at 15 started to get problem with my right knee. When I got to 19 I had to stop. Couldn't bend my right leg. Me knee was agony. So stopped and walked for about half a mile to try and loosen it up and then tried to start again. Did a mile and had to stop again. Had to keep running/ walking all the way to the end. Did finish though. Today can't bend me leg at all. Is bit tender! So was a mare. However the crowds were amazing. Never experienced atmosphere like it. The noise was incredible. So although run was a washy out the day was great.
Grant Corton: Was given a spare place 2 days before the event, and ran with no preparation. I was on track for 4.00 until some idiot dropped a water bottle at my feet and I stepped on it and hyper-extended my knee which progressively got worse. Being overtaken by a running rhino in the last mile stirred something ( along with the crowd) and it was a photo finish. 3.40 target next year with a proper build up!