Race report by Greg:
26.04.26. The London Marathon
This blows my mind and just to top it of I’m now part of the Guinness world record for the largest number of finishers in a Marathon to date 59,830.
Let’s go back to Bonfire night at Ian’s farm where I found out by a text from Gareth that my name has been pulled from the hat . I hardly have much luck in life, so couldn’t believe it . It’s such a privileged to have taken this spot this year .
I don’t like running on my own so all the training has evolved from running with you all which I’m so grateful for. From Hebden, Blackburn winter warmer, Garstang gallop , Wigan Half . All the Wednesday runs / Park runs etc and the rest .
Shout out to Andy Laycock and Brian . Since the Paris Marathon I knew I had to get fitter and stonger . My legs and upper body suffered and needed work . I may never get a 6 pack but have to improve what I’ve got . I can get Andy easily frustrated as I forget what weights and technique to do and when I do silly things. Thanks guys
Definitely the gym , occasional Yoga and loosing a bit of weight have definitely helped me get ready for this .
My biggest thanks go to Janet who recently did Boston. I really don’t know how 2 Marathons within the same week is possible. I’m so grateful to her. She is one special super human. We recently ran again the 22mile Preston guild loop. Last year I was sick with toothache..
This time back after in her house I was enjoying a brew , and asked where her toilet was ..This i couldnt make in time and vommited all over her kitchen floor . She never shouted and takes everything in her stride . Janet is just fantastic and a great supporter of me .
I decided to go and get some new Trainers..Paul Lacey has been instrumental in my footwear from previous marathons / Benners. Wearing his vapour flys for Manchester. I knew I wanted some new .His call for Alphas where bang on . Brian came along for the 50 min trip to Wilmslow . I knew exactly which pair I wanted and bought them within 5 mins after trying the first pair on. Brian on the other hand decided to go on the treadmill and try nearly every shoe on in the shop but couldn’t decide as they all didn’t match up to his invo8’s . All to spongy in his opinion.
With my new Trainers I decided to Get my name printed in Orange . The lady in JC printing is awesome. It was the best £8 spent . The support and people shouting you’ve got this was incredible. Evey time someone said Greg I teared up . I gave them fist pumps back ..Must of heard my name over 1000 times ..
The clock was ticking and Marathon week was fast approaching . At first I was going to marshall Ian’s Trail Race with the fear of being injured .. I soon changed my mind and had a steady easy trot planned in my head . As soon as Mark blew his whistle that idea got binned and thought I’d give it some beans ..Still not enough catch Tony who flew round ..
With all this I was nervous as hell . Make matters worse is that my sleep was suffering. Awake at 3am worrying about the tubes and getting lost on race morning. Missing picking my number up and generally panicking.
Top matters of last Wednesday my Van decided to break down on way to work. I really didn’t need this. Oil everywhere. Managed to get a Tow home .
Another worry to contend with. I had already booked in with Gareth on Thursday so van wasn’t needed. A txt from Farmer David Early Thursday morning whio said he was on his way to take a look was heart warming..Within a few hrs we had the van back on the road . Simply the Lostock love is incredible.. Massive thanks to David and Bev’s Alan at ASL .
Clive who was on hand to help out with a car if needed . My new current Nickname is Dipstick Greg ..Lets just leave it at that 🤣
Friday had arrived. My support crew was dispatched we met up with my aunty and uncle on the train down to Euston..My mum and partner Brian also came…The pressure was on ..My mum did the London Marathon back in 2001 and said I needed to beat her time . Never in a million years would I think it would be me next to run it in the family. Mind blowing.!!!!!
Cousin Rich and his girlfriend who live in Canary wharf were there to guide us around London. Absolutely outstanding job they did
It was lovely to see Louise at Wigan waiting for the train . She couldnt help not spot the sea of orange by the platform. Quite apt as she got the place last year 🧡 she gave her advice and wished me good luck
I wanted everyone wearing orange as this would be easy for me to spot ..Janet’s friend came up trumps again . From spotting everyone in the tube station and around London it worked a treat . All 3 occasions I saw them cheering me on .
Hindsight I only wished I gave a hoodie to Sally ..
Arriving Friday Night i headed to the excel with Rich for the number and drop bag. It felt like the football crowd at Reebok times it by 100. For me the buzz and excitement wasn’t as good as the Paris one with Sally and Co .I guess it would have been different if they were there.
Rich isn’t really interested in running. This being a bonus really as it helped my bank account in not doing any silly New Balance purchases..
With my number we headed to met with mum and rest for tea .
Saturday we had booked a trip on the Thames which took us from cutty sark to Westminster. This was brilliant as it saves time on feet.. While on the boat we witnessed a wedding proposal.
I was constantly eating and drinking lots of water . Paul was checking on making sure I wasn’t going anything I shouldn’t . It was hot Saturday with the forecast a bit cooler for Sunday.
With steak for tea and a cheeky stops at Gregg’s for pizza and donut i headed back to the hotel for a early night and to sort my kit ..
A good nights sleep I was up and ready at 5am. I was feeling pumped once my Lostock top and trainers were on.
Headed for a early breakfast. Must of woke so many people up with the sound of my squeaky shoes . My nerves had gone T that point and I was ready to rock . Light breakfast followed by 3 amazing latte’s. Hazel messaged me while eating toast and it set me off blubbering..I got some funny looks from a strange woman on the next table ..
Went back to the room for the final.jobs .. Vaseline everywhere and used my newly bought ladies nail foot file. Highly recommend btw .. my feet stayed in great condition minus a problematic toe .Needs 10cm chopping off .
Bag ready and gave mum my room key / bag and a massive hug..
I headed off only to get stuck in the lift for 10mins. Up and down all 24 floors trying to squeeze every runner in the hotel.
Made it to the tube. Did a dry run night before so all good . Tube was rammed full and everyone really excited and lovely ..I just followed the mass crowd into Greenwich park.
Did the bag drop and found a place to people watch.The atmosphere and buzz was something else .
Never experienced anything like it . Again tears started to drip. Helicopter buzzing around and hot air balloons inflating was just out of this word..
I got in a toilet que and soon realised this marathon was different. What hit me was a young woman running for her late father ..his pictures where pinned to her back pack .. Nearly everyone I saw and spoke to was running for a charity or raising money they felt strong towards. I have read that it’s estimated 95 million has been raised. Mind boggling stuff
Again the tears started flowing.
I then sat underneath a giant Sweet chestnut tree . With my ASL hat on and my foil blanket I waited for them to call my wave number.
As we exited the park we huggled together like cows . I found it very hard to escape and get any speed up .. constantly zip zagging. The crowd on both side of the road was indescribable . Absolutely packed , never seen anything like it and it was constant for the whole 26.2 miles .
From a boy trying to play the last post on his trumpet to fully kitted sounds systems on balconies it was incredible.. Every one cheering and hearing ‘ Go Greg ‘ every ten seconds was brilliant.
We ran past Millwall station who had massive speakers blasting and they’d set up a tripod that fired water on to the road . Thought this was well cool and gave me a laugh ..
Next crying episode was running past Joe wicks and Pepper Pigs dad..I.patted Joe on the back as I ran past …I thought was watching him on tv in lockdown doing exercises while nearly 14 stone
. This is unreal Greg.. Your running the London Marathon.
Next saw my orange glow fam Rich holding a ‘This way Carrs pasty sign’ . This definitely helped and boosted me on …
I then went past one of the sub 4 pacers ..I thought I’m ok, not going too fast ..pace seems ok . Paul’s and Gareth are happy. Go Greg .
Gels and salt tablets going well . Was have the gels every 4 miles roughly along with my high 5 gummies..I was popping salt tabs like they were soft mints
The thing that bugged me was the fact I wasn’t used to getting stuck behind so many people and when a water station appeared people either slowed or just stopped.I was Constantly bumping into folk , zig gagging and kicking water bottles..
It never evened out and was pretty much running in a confined space .
Hitting Tower Bridge was the almost the best bit . Never ever on a run have felt so ecstatic. It was unreal , a solid wall of noise. . There is a picture taken of me fist pumping. It was incredible. London was fantastic.
Over the bridge I felt great.. we all sang YMCA and did the actions.. new Favourite song 👍☺️.. I wasn’t expecting to do this …
After this I must of seen at least 4 people collapsing. 3 out cold. I thought ‘not me’ and plowed on .
I was going great . Gareth was on one side , Hazel the other and Paul behind me telling me to keep going. Janet was in front trying while trying to catch her up . You were so supportive in my head .. I’ll never forget this. It seemed so real.
There was a part where we looped back like benners.. I got to the left of the barrier and scanned for a green Lostock top. . I.kept shouting her . ‘Janet where are you .’ sadly this route soon changed.
I started to suffer around mile 20..Cramps in my left left kept appearing like a engine mis firing. Increased the salt tabs and it seemed to pass…
Saw the fam last outside the hotel they could clearly see I was slowing down.. I just couldn’t get any faster which was so disheartening..
The sun was getting hotter at this point and I just thought keep going Greg…..Soon was nearly there I could see Big Ben ..
Felt like I was at full throttle powering onto Winston which I gave him the head .. Nod …. Then passing Westminster Abbey. It was Anzac day on Saturday and we missed out on Seeing Princess Catherine..
Along running at the side of St James park it seemed to go on and on ..
Finally I was in view of Buckingham Palace. Seeing the Union jacks was so brilliant. definitely a lump in the throat moment.
I powered on to the finish in 4hr 6mins 6 secs.
A PB . Really pleased with myself..
Once through the finish I wanted to find Janet.. I rang and got through..she wasn’t far .. Got to the Lucozade sign and she saw me ..Big Hugs all.round.
.We Had done it .. so proud of us both .
We then walked to steps at Nelson’s column at the art gallery.. Sally was on her way
.Another belter of a hug followed with more tears.
Then spoke with mum that were already on their way
I was carrying a eye tag in my pocket..This was great as they tracked me twice round . Switched off now thankfully.
More hugs following.. I was struggling to stand for pictures I got really dizzy and felt Sick.. Never had this in Paris or Manchester. Or the Hobble.
All I wanted was not beer but A Good Cup of Tea .. With this and paracetamol , things seem to settle and I perked up . Sally was relieved 😅
London has definitely put my faith back in this country. If anyone doubts this , then they need to experience the London Marathon. The whole of Londoners did a cracking Job .
Before this I really wanted a sub 4 ..I have come bloody close. May be it’s not London for a Sub 4 .. I thought it’s never goning to happen and I should stick to Halfs
Woke up this morning early and still couldn’t move properly in bed and bum sliding down stair. ..I soon came to realise Greg you can do this again.
Chester on the Cards .
Sorry for all this ramble post.. I’m still on a London High and will be for weeks .
Thanks to Lostock and everyone in the club that’s made a bucket dream possible and for all the help,love, cards, cakes / support and advice
Thanks.
God bless
Greg
