Iain Whiteside’s perspective
Iain does a Mo Farah: dropping out at halfway after testing my fuelling
strategy for next year as part of a million pound sponsorship deal. An
alternative explanation for my noted DNF was that I managed to do something
to my hip putting my shoes on in the (very plush and elitist) championship
toilet area (stifled laughter allowed). A bit niggly at 2 miles, quite sore
at the Cutty Sark, fairly sore at 10 miles, seized up at 13.5. 10 minutes of
stretching later I was able to hobble to the finish to watch Farah et al
cruising past. I’m just sorry that no-one was treated to the epic positive
split I was setting myself up for!
Tim Darlow
Having got himself a sub-3hr marathon anyway, Tim was hoping to consolidate
on that with another one in London. In preparation he’d run a 1:21 half so
another sub-3 in London looked like it was a matter of by how much and not
if. I asked Tim for some words and he commented as follows: “Yeah I had a
bit of a shocker. Felt ok at 13 miles but felt terrible by the time I got to
16 / 17 miles and I hobbled to the finish. I can’t really explain it – I’ll
just have to come back next year!”
Bob Johnson
My plan for 2014 was always to do a fancy-dress marathon instead of the
good-for-age target of 3:20 (for a mid-fifties-never-has-been like me). My
original idea was to build my own hoover with scooter wheels and push this
round the course and set a Guinness Record at the same time. This plan was
scuppered on two fronts; firstly the Guinness Book of World Records wouldn’t
sanction the attempt (pushing “X” round a marathon course would result in
somebody else pushing “Y” round (so what)); and secondly the marathon rules
now state that “NO WHEELED DEVICES” are allowed on the course (on pain of
being banned for life). On the Thursday before the marathon I therefore
raided the recycling dumps again (so exciting) and found a suitable hoover
and removed the motor. I made a carrying strap but after 15 miles I decided
to carry the thing for the whole 26.2 miles. Note that it only weighed 3.5kg
but it sure cramped my style. Sponsorship in just 6 days has now reached
£500 and has now been closed. A massive thanks to all those Carnethies who
sponsored this lunacy. Bob Johnson (No, I’m not).
Report by Sheila O’Nosheela