London Marathon

Limb impaired runner in Jamaica Road

Leading Group - too fast for the camera

New London record for Wilson Kipsang

5th - the 18 year old Ethiopian, Tsegaye Mekonnen

No Mobot from Mo, who tags along for 8th place

Palace profiles

I never managed to run the London Marathon, entry was always too difficult, but I managed to watch it live today and quite a spectacle it was in perfect running conditions. The crowds along Jamaica Road were fulsome in their support of the visually impaired and limb impaired runners. The speed of the leading group was remarkable and they looked to be from another planet; not an ounce of spare flesh and not even breathing hard as they cruised past at a 4 minutes 45 seconds per mile pace. Mo Farah had already lost 45 seconds and looked to be in the zone for non African runners and struggling to tail his pacemaker.

I caught a tube from Bermondsey to St James Park and after a long wait to cross the marathon course, we were shepherded across by the platoon of stewards after the elite women had passed. We had a place in the main stand on the Mall and arrived in time to watch the impaired runners and the leading women finish to immense cheers from the crowd. Unfortunately the row in front were armoured with inflatable clappers that made taking photographs a bit of a lottery.

The winner of the elite men's race zipped down the Mall to break the course record followed by a batch of Kenyan and Ethiopian runners, including an amazing 18 year old Ethiopian, Tsegaye Mekonnen, who was fifth. Mo Farah was four minutes adrift as he tailed two more Kenyan's down the Mall without any attempt to show his finishing kick. On reflection I was pleased that he did not manage to beat Steve Jones' 29 year old British record. Steve Jones had been a tough of the track and epitomised the very best of British distance running in the 1980's. Mo is probably better suited to the 5k and 10k and it was only justice that the marathon specialists kept him at bay.

The finish area was well organised with an excellent commentary and the presence of all the major charities, which play such an important role in the success of the marathon and in encouraging mass participation.  This should have been the biggest event of the day but then I decided to watch the Liverpool - Man City game in a busy Brixton pub. I was heartily surprised to find that Brixton was red to its roots as Liverpool inched nearer to becoming rightful champions again.