JP HEDGE Our columnist ponders on the joys, and perils, of running

OPINION JP HEDGE

JP Hedge and sister-in-law Lisa Sexton smiling through the pain

Personal best

JP recently completed the virtual London Marathon – in Exeter – and loved it. His running experiences haven’t always been a joy though...

There is nothing more soul destroying than being overtaken by a uff y mascot whilst running 26.2 miles. Especially when it happens in the rst hundred yards.

When it comes to taking part in the London Marathon, there aren’t many creatures, great or small, that haven’t overtaken me.

I’ve read somewhere that running a marathon should be the very epitome of peak physical tness. oweer, the likes o beer bottles, rhinos and giant ip- ops have all previously stepped up and run by me, crushing my ego into dust.

This autumn was my third London Marathon and I took part at fairly short notice with my younger, and considerably more svelte, sister-in-law, Lisa. We got a virtual place each, meaning we could walk, jog or run a route of our choosing, tracked by our phones.

Naturally I picked the path of least resistance, up and down the River Exe, with an elevation of around 10cm. Even though there was an amber weather warning, it was fantastic. What an experience. I’m deadline focussed and always have pounds to shift and stress to dissolve, so having a health goal in a limited time window works for me.

And if I can’t run in London, with all the joy that brings, I can think of no better place than Exeter to clock up the miles.

It truly was the brilliant alternative. You had the same comradery of the big day, with the luxury of being on home turf.

And I managed to get through this year, just, without an injury

“I have been overtaken by someone running in stilettos”

stopping me. On two previous attempts I’ve broken metatarsals as my bulk pounded concrete. On another attempt I developed an issue where I later needed an operation on both feet.

This March I had a painrelieving op on my spine. Getting to the start line is de nitely hal the battle for me.

The route with Exeter was lled with oy. eople clapped and encouraged each other as they went by every so often.

The clever organisers used the doom of a pandemic to turn the unique nature of this year’s event into a positive. Runners of all ages and shapes who wouldn’t normally have been able to head to London took part.

And for me, along with the great chats and fresh air with Lisa, there was the joy of not getting beaten by people in fancy dress.

The rst time took part in the marathon I landed a place by being a ournalist. didnt ll out a predicted time on my application, and as such, got placed at the back of the celebrity start. I was utterly surrounded by mascots as far as the eye could see.

And boy are they quick. Many marketing rms paid top runners to take to the streets in their costumes. They weren’t hanging around.

Of all the expectations I had for the experience, I never envisaged a dream-like sequence where I was left for dust by a giant addington ear.

And then the last time I ran the marathon, when I started in the usual way, I was overtaken by someone carrying a ladder. I have also been overtaken by someone running in stilettos.

Now I’m over 40 I’m trying to take tness and wellbeing seriously, but not the usual self-image that goes with it.Wellbeing and quality of life is central to Exeter and our residents and will be for the next decade.

Doing up your shoe laces and facing fears of what others might think will be a huge battle as we move forward as a happier and healthier city.

If you are worried about what people think of you in your gym kit, just remember that in my ecitement o my rst marathon run, I inexplicitly told Dame loella enamin ormerly off o Play School) whilst running that I named my bunny rabbit after her when was e. ork back from there.

With amazing family around us in our Covid-friendly bubble the Exeter branch of the London Marathon was the best ever. I was so proud of Lisa.

I think big events like this will change and evolve for the better. ■

Jon-Paul Hedge is a director at Exeter City Council where he currently looks after tourism, communications and culture. He is a former newspaper editor and lives in the city with his wife and two young children. www.exeter.gov.uk