There is no finish line

The finish line was in sight on Westminster Bridge. The Japanese, Hiromi Tanaguchi, was poised to run sub 2.10 in the 1987 London Marathon, with my Ranelagh clubmate Hugh Jones just a few seconds back, yet with 200 yards to go I was still ahead of them both. It had been a long tortuous road that Sunday morning 22 years ago, particularly on the cobbles at Tower Bridge … particularly driving the lead vehicle, a milk float! Of course, I didn’t win. Just before the bridge I was guided into a pre-arranged parking spot from where I got a great view of the race finish.

I’m currently not allowed to run at all so have been doing some very gentle cycling on an exercise bike at home. It is about as exciting as counting paperclips, so over the last week I have cycled whilst watching the 1987 London on video, it’s the only record I have of any of the Londons but makes great viewing.

Some things never change, like the music and the dubious quality of Brendan Foster’s commentary (although he managed to go 26 miles without mentioning Paula Radcliffe’s name (she’d have been just 13 then so not a surprise)). Some things immediately struck me however: there were no East Africans running and although the quality at the front of the ladies race was very good – Ingrid Kristiansen attempting to break 2:20, three Brits under 2:30 – when the camera panned through the masses they were nearly all men.

The commentary (David Coleman, Ron Pickering plus the ubiquitous Foster) and the graphics were poor, the latter looked like they came from another age, which in computer terms, I suppose, they did. The commentators weren’t helped by the lack of information on times but their lack of awareness made you really appreciate Crammy.

The race was good to watch. Grenville Tuck did some pacemaking before a pack of about 10 broke away. Hugh, resplendent in his Ranelagh vest, tended to be at the front, pushing hard as was his wont. With no cloned & sponsored East Africans all wearing the same vest as invariably happens today, it was great to see club vests & national vests from all over the world: Japan, Italy, Norway, Turkey, Morocco, USA as well as the UK. Taniguchi eventually pulled away through the tower cobbles and held on from a Moroccan who just outsprinted Jones. That gave Hugh a full set of medals, having won in 1982 (still Ranelagh’s club record, 2.09.24!) and finished second in 1986.

Kristiansen, who held the world record of 2.21.06 at the time (London 1985) was surrounded by minders in the early miles – the elite women used to start with everybody else in those days, which was tough for me the year I drove the lead vehicle in front of the women’s race as I had to weave around lots of men – and they dragged her through too fast, thoroughly confusing the commentators. Foster switched between lauding what a fantastic runner she was going at 2.17 pace to how, later on when she started suffering, how suicidal it was! Ron Pickering then uttered a great phrase: "take too much out of the bank early on and you go broke".

Although slowing dramatically, Kristiansen won easily enough in 2.22. Second home was another Ranelagh Harrier, Priscilla Welch who, at the age of 42, broke the UK record with 2.26.50. Proof, if ever it were needed, that age is no barrier to running fast marathons. With sensible, organised and structured training over a period of time, it is amazing what times runners of all ages can attain. Welch had Mick Woods of Aldershot for company in the last mile or so. He is now one of the most successful coaches in the country, numbering Steph Twell amongst his athletes.

I spotted lots of old acquaintances in the race and it brought back great memories. I was very lucky to be running in that period as the depth in standard was so good. Seeing masses of runners coming down The Mall in the 2.15/2.20/2.30’s was evidence of that. It would be easy to say I wish I was running the times I did then in today’s weaker fields but the reality, of course, is that I wouldn’t. The only reason I ran at a decent pace was because everybody around me was doing the same. I just wish I could get across to today’s runners that most don’t understand the sort of times they are capable of. Watching the video – available to anyone interested – should make it all apparent. Just ask otherwise ...

Some statistics: my lunchtime training partner in those days, Bill Harvey, was 158th in 2.29.43 (he was a V45 then), this year only 54 broke 2:30 of whom 11 were elite Africans under 2.10. There were 600 under 2.40 in 1987 and only 175 this year. Most amazingly of all, the roads of London were reopened to traffic 4½ hours into the race, in 2009 that would represent barely half the finishers!

PS On a different tack, my darling daughter is settling well in Paris and has decided to write a Blog about her time there, so if at all interested have a look on http://www.natzinparis.blogspot.com/