1908 Olympic Centenary Marathon

Fri July 25 2008
Listed by Foxy
Entrants (2)
Club		 PB SB Pred Time WAVA
Foxy What a privelige to get the oppurtunity to follow in the footsteps of Dorando one of the Legendary Olympians. the Centenary marathon marked the 100th anniversary of the first 26 miles 385 yard marathon run @ the 1908 Olympics. We set off on the original course from Windsor(starting in front of the castle) to White City (home of the BBC nowadays) at the same time as the Olympians did 100 years previously 2.30 pm. I briefly lead the race after about 50 yards & again @ about the 3/4 mile point, i stayed with the leasding bunch for about 2 miles before letting them go, not that the pace was too quick but was worried about the heat & I was right to be worried. A couple of extra runners went passed me but i essentially ran from 3 miles to half way on my own although close enough to have a runner in front to follow. At 13 miles I called into a shop for water & was joined by my friends Philip & Fu along with a Gentleman called Rush doing his 100th marathon, the 4 of us worked together like a group of riders in the Tour de France taking turns at the front & helping each other along the way, we got a little lost with a mere 100 yards to go but found our way & the 4 of us crossed the line holding hands raised above our head capturing the Olympic spirit (Dwain Chambers take note !). the original finish line from the old Stadium is marked along the ground detailing the fact that it was the finish line & behind it the Plaque on the wall show the Medal table topped by Great Britain of course & the names of all the British medalists. The heat made it tough & my time reflected it but didn't detract from a wonderful occassion & a piece of history & us Brits love our eccentricities :) The medal is a Bronxe replica of the 1908 Olympic medal (with a border detailing it as the Centenary marathon & the dates from 1908 & 2008) & is the pride of my medal collection. a unique souvenir the total field was 74 in the end I believe. the t-shirt shows a map of the route & olympic - ish five coloured rings - you gotta be careful not to upset the IOC with trademarks etc...In the words of he movie Cool Runnings
100 Marathon Club, MK Lakeside Runners, Milton Keynes Lakeside Runners 		3:09:27 3:24:10 4:30:00 4:41:29 43.42
ogee
100 Marathon Club, South London Harriers 		3:10:24 3:37:00 4:46:00 43.84









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