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London marathon: thanks for a glorious day London marathon: thanks for a glorious day
(5 months later)
Once again I dreamed I could beat the four hour barrier and once again I failed - the dreaded Isle of Dogs cramp bit me once more - but I finished the course intact and I'm glad I took part, even though my legs are now so stiff I have to go downstairs sideways. The London Marathon's splendour was underlined this year by the cruel backdrop of Boston, and the crowds - estimated by the organisers to have exceeded 700,000 - seemed more enthusiastic than ever as they cheered the 34,000 runners to the finish line.Once again I dreamed I could beat the four hour barrier and once again I failed - the dreaded Isle of Dogs cramp bit me once more - but I finished the course intact and I'm glad I took part, even though my legs are now so stiff I have to go downstairs sideways. The London Marathon's splendour was underlined this year by the cruel backdrop of Boston, and the crowds - estimated by the organisers to have exceeded 700,000 - seemed more enthusiastic than ever as they cheered the 34,000 runners to the finish line.
It's been announced that the marathon and Virgin Money have renewed their sponsorship agreement, which will run until at least 2017. The event will acquire the new full title of the Virgin Money London Marathon, which is a bit of long distance mouthful, but I'm hoping the sponsor's imprint will remain much as it has been for the three consecutive years I've taken part in the race: conspicuous, which is, of course, fair enough, without being overbearing. It's the crowds and the music along the way - I especially love the jazz bands in the early miles - that give the marathon its compelling character, and the Virgin brand surely benefits from keeping its profile just low enough to allow those ingredients to most define this great London occasion.It's been announced that the marathon and Virgin Money have renewed their sponsorship agreement, which will run until at least 2017. The event will acquire the new full title of the Virgin Money London Marathon, which is a bit of long distance mouthful, but I'm hoping the sponsor's imprint will remain much as it has been for the three consecutive years I've taken part in the race: conspicuous, which is, of course, fair enough, without being overbearing. It's the crowds and the music along the way - I especially love the jazz bands in the early miles - that give the marathon its compelling character, and the Virgin brand surely benefits from keeping its profile just low enough to allow those ingredients to most define this great London occasion.
I'd like to give one final thanks to UNICEF UK for allowing me to be a member of their marathon team, to those who contributed to the £2,130 I've raised to help that organisation continue its magnificent work for children around the world - there's still time for further donations - and to everyone who encouraged and congratulated me on my rather ragged athletic endeavour. It hurt at the time, but already I'm looking back on it with pleasure. Not everything about London makes me proud to be a Londoner, but the London Marathon does the trick every time.I'd like to give one final thanks to UNICEF UK for allowing me to be a member of their marathon team, to those who contributed to the £2,130 I've raised to help that organisation continue its magnificent work for children around the world - there's still time for further donations - and to everyone who encouraged and congratulated me on my rather ragged athletic endeavour. It hurt at the time, but already I'm looking back on it with pleasure. Not everything about London makes me proud to be a Londoner, but the London Marathon does the trick every time.
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