The comeback marathon – London 2021 Tim Starkie G’90

The comeback marathon – London 2021

Tim Starkie at the finish line

The London Marathon returned to the streets of London on 3rd October 2021 after a hiatus of 889 days due to the Covid pandemic. A few days before this year’s event, Hugh Brasher (Race Director) said “It will be a moment of joy and true emotion”. His father Chris Brasher (The London Marathon Founder) had written in The Observer back in 1979, having returned from running in the New York Marathon, “I wonder whether London would stage such a festival? We have the course, a magnificent course - but do we have the heart and hospitality to welcome the world?”.

The answer to those two questions is absolutely “yes” and “yes” – what an event! The London Marathon is all about the runners, course volunteers and the support of the crowds. A street party lasting 26.2 miles. 6,747 runners started the first race back in 1981. Since then over one million runners raising over £1 billion for charity have completed the iconic course. The London Marathon is the most over-subscribed marathon in the world, so what is it that makes it so special and one of the ‘crown jewels’ of British sport alongside Wimbledon, The FA Cup, The Boat Race and The Grand National? It’s probably the fact that anyone can apply for a ballot place or secure an entry via a charity and compete on the same course, on the same day as the elite runners (who are running at sub-5 minutes per mile for men & sub-6 minutes for women) while experiencing the same support from the crowds and the special atmosphere that it creates.

To go for a run through streets lined with wildly enthusiastic spectators cheering and supporting your every step is a feeling that is both inspiring and, at times, a highly emotional rollercoaster ride. For many runners, this is one of the greatest days of their life as they are wrapped up in a blanket of support and warmth by strangers wanting them to succeed in their quest to the finish.

This was the 9th time I had run the London Marathon (my first was back in 1992), and it was definitely the best. It wasn’t my best finishing time, but it will be the most memorable for being part of, and witnessing, London coming together in a form of ‘community celebration’ post-pandemic. Since March 2020 we have all seen our daily lives and routines turned upside down and people have been desperate to get outside and experience some normality. Many people have taken up, or re-found their enjoyment of, walking and running during the lockdowns given that this was one of the few activities people were permitted to do.

I have always enjoyed sport and this lifelong love was instilled in me at Worth. It was Mr Philby my French teacher in Junior House, who initially ignited my passion for running, after he thought that my very poor French might be somewhat improved by taking me running in the woods and practising my French along the way. My running has certainly been more consistent and enjoyable than my French ever has been, tant pis.

Normally for a marathon, one is advised to train with a formulated training plan for at least six months to enable the body to be properly conditioned. Unfortunately, I was given about eight weeks’ notice having been fortunate enough to win a coveted place through a competition at work. My regular running consists of running to and from work, a distance of about 1.5 miles each way, and whatever extra running I can fit in during a thirty-minute lunch break a few times a week. This is clearly not marathon conditioning training. However, this wasn’t my first marathon. I work for a running retailer, which

gives me the opportunity to converse and be inspired by runners on a daily basis, which was certainly a great help.

We all lead busy lives where the triangle of work, rest & play isn’t always equal. Therefore, planning and preparation was the key to controlling the controllable. Fr Christopher, my housemaster in both Junior and Senior House regularly spoke about this, and it was the mantra of many of Worth’s sports teachers - Mr Potter, Mr Robertson, Mr Daly and Mr Denman. The marathon running triangle can be categorised as mental preparation (the “what if” scenarios), nutrition (carbohydrates, glycogen levels & hydration) and the physical training runs. My longest training run was just over 10 miles - I certainly would not advise this as an adequate training plan! On the day itself, I knew that two sides of the triangle were consistent and solid. This meant that if I ran at a comfortable controlled pace, knowing that I might run out of steam at 18 or 19 miles, I still had the confidence to know that I’d be able to complete. Having my name written on my vest enabled the crowds to shout it out which was hugely motivational and something I would highly recommend anyone running a race should do, unless you wish to remain anonymous! As so many runners do, I ran to do my bit for charity in support of Pancreatic Cancer Action, which my father-inlaw & godmother recently lost their lives to. The stories that I heard as I chatted to other runners along the course were both heart-breaking and inspiring. Running a marathon certainly is a lifechanging experience in many ways.

I saw a lot of tears from runners throughout the race, many were of joy and happiness as they crossed the finish line. They knew they weren’t just running for themselves, but also for those strangers, friends and family members who had shouted, applauded and encouraged them on the day and along their training journey, and running for the charities that they were supporting.

For the record I finished in 4 hours 24 minutes, but it wasn’t about the time, but more a celebration of life getting back to some sort of normality.

I am very grateful to all those who were kind and generous enough to sponsor me.

Tim Starkie G’90