I would like to start by thanking everyone for your kind support of The Lord's Taverners through my London Marathon run last Sunday. It was a really incredible experience and the crowds were a great lift!  My personal highlight was running past Mo Farah, who was heading in the opposite direction, having completed 22 miles to my 13 at that stage, but the cheering of the spectators as he passed was a real boost for all the runners!  The first half of the race was a real pleasure, but I made the classic mistake of getting a bit carried away, high fiving the children on the side of the course and ignoring the fact that I was going faster than I had planned to do.
 

The second half got progressively harder, and by about mile 21 the adrenaline had run out entirely, and the finish line felt a very long way away.  To be perfectly honest, I thought that I was about to stop at several points, but each time I thought about not wanting to let down my sponsors, and just not giving in.  I am not sure that I can say that I 'used the difficulty', but I did manage to find just enough determination not to stop.  Running up the Embankment, the straight road never seemed to end, and when I finally came round to the 26 mile marker, I was faced by the sign overhead saying that there were just 385 yards to go.  This is supposed to give runners a final boost to get over the line, although I have to admit that my only thought was that 385 yards still felt like an incredibly long way to go!

The overwhelming emotion at the end was one of relief, rather than joy, but I can now reflect that I am very proud to have achieved this, finishing my first Marathon in 3 hours and 11 minutes.  A few people have asked whether I will do it again.  On Sunday, the answer was definitely no.  Now I would say never say never!  I would like to be able to enjoy the experience of finishing the marathon, rather than just surviving it, so that might just get me running again.  Of course, the dogs are keen to get back out running, so it is not impossible ...
 

Josh Entwistle

The other Felsted runners also achieved incredible things.  Amanda Little took ten minutes off her time of last year, to come home in 3 hr 41; Hannah McIlvenna ran a personal best of 3 hr 19; while Josh Entwistle tore round in an almost unbelievable 2 hr 27.  There were also many OFs participating, including Annabel Crossman, Jonny Bardrick, Jeston Na Nakhorn, Charlie and Alice Marsden, Sam Holland and of course Hugo Carey.  Hugo's run was particularly poignant, as he was running in memory of Jasmine Kenny.  Cheered on by many of those from their year group, Hugo completed the course in just over 3 and a half hours, and raised nearly £11,000 for SSAFA (the armed forces charity).

Read more about some of our Felsted Marathon runners here
 

The marathon is almost unique as an event, because it is a challenge for everyone out there, and while a race, it is one in which there is incredible camaraderie, and gestures of support can be seen all along the course.  The kindness and encouragement of the crowd is matched by the attitude of the runners, and I am so grateful to the Lord's Taverners for allowing me to represent them in this remarkable event, and helping me through the preparation.  Thank you also to all of the Felsted Community who have been so kind.

Chris Townsend,
Head, Felsted School