London 2012 blog

Ahhh...lazy Sunday mornings, time to relax after a long week at LOCOG.  Well not on this particular day – especially not for the intrepid staff members taking part in the London Marathon – congratulations to our Crazy Quad!

I wasn't running myself, but was here to observe those who do it best at close quarters. So I found myself on Tower Bridge at 6.45am, whilst the sponsor's look was still being applied and timings stations set up. 

The elite athletes stay the night before the race at the Tower Hotel, which is where I joined them to see race day from their perspective. The lobby of was packed with top athletes, and the level of chatter was surprising as friends (and rivals) greeted one another.

Special service London buses took the athletes to the Start, where final preparations were made for the race.  Distance athletes seem to be a low maintenance group as only shelter, toilets and an area to jog or push were required for that final hour. The athletes were more serene now as they visualised the 26.2 miles ahead.

My colleague Tanya and I joined one of the lead vehicles for the women’s race. Watching world class performers go about their business always amazes but this was a unique opportunity to see the entire race unfold.  A strong group of about a dozen was slowly whittled down – with a key incident were two athletes fell jostling for position at a drinks station playing a part. 

Also during the race, the organisers coped with a gas leak on the course, which was managed effectively and with little impact on competitors through close cooperation with the relevant Metropolitan authorities.

As the weather turned in the final few miles, Irina Mikitenko increased the pace to drop her final two rivals for victory.

The set up in The Mall was another learning opportunity for the presentation of a major sporting event in the centre of London. London Marathon's staff and volunteers provide excellent support to both elite runners and the masses alike at the end of a gruelling experience.

Finally it has almost become a cliché with this event, but the level of support received by all the runners from the crowds lining the route is incredible and hopefully is a taste of the support the world's sportsmen and women can expect in 2012.