The experience of a lifetime.  That's how East Down's Linda Cunningham described her participation in Sunday's London Marathon, a sentiment echoed by most of those who complete the journey around the famous streets, at whatever pace.  35,000 runners took on the challenge this year and hopefully most made it across the finish line. This particular marathon is not one for looking for a personal best time on, due to the huge number who take part, the atmosphere generated by the media beforehand, the spectators during it and the historic setting itself.  Linda finished in a highly creditable 4.36, in such good shape that she was able to enjoy every second of her achievement  - and look forward to another one?

Equally pleased with her performance was Sara Higgins, who managed to duck under 4 hours, recording 3.51 in only her second attempt at the distance.  Well Done Ladies, you can give training a miss on Thursday night!! And if you want to follow up with something really gruelling try spectating at one of these large events. Not only do you have to travel miles to a vantage point but once there, usually several hours before you see any action if you want a good spot, you have to stand and clap and cheer for hours as you legs go stiff and your throat grows hoarse.  At the same time you're scanning the oncoming hordes to pick out a known face, or vest or leg, almost becoming dizzy as they come, 6 deep across the road, barging any errant bystander to one side in their quest for the finish line.  Add to that the disappointment of not actually seeing the people you're looking out for, the trudge through thousands of fellow onlookers back to a thronged underground station to get ahead to another vantage point – and then miss your targets again! It really is a bridge too far, in this case Tower Bridge, and my verdict?  It's easier to run the marathon than watch it, though maybe I need my eyes tested too!

On Thursday night Hill and Dale action moved to Rostrevor where Slieve Martin was the challenge, and a pretty tough one at that, brutal was the only printable adjective used by Liam Keenan to describe the climb.  Nevertheless he was again first East Down man home in 67th place, followed by Anna Stamp, making her debut in the series, in 94th , Brian Hamilton 107th  and Garry McLoughlin 145th giving them 8th place in the team competition for the second week in a row.  Next week it's Binnian to the Top!!

And the week after it's Belfast Marathon time again with the aforementioned Brian Hamilton leading the young turks Philip Vint, Gerard Burns, Nigel Martin, Raymond Milligan, Declan Teague, Simon McGrattan, Heather Lindsay and possibly a few others on the May Day challenge over the full distance with several other taking on a leg of the Relay event.  Good Luck to all of them.  Me?  I'm marshalling, no more spectating for me!

Joe Quinn
26 April 2009