The London Marathon

It’s surprising, that the resounding sense of achievement, isn’t the prominent emotion you experience when completing the world’s greatest race but instead it’s the overwhelming sense of camaraderie, goodwill and endeavour that contagiously pulsates through the city of London over a few days in April.

In a city whose inhabitants are often regarded as being cold and ignorant towards their fellow occupants, where seemingly there is not a single second to sacrifice for any grace or courtesy, for this one weekend every year, a barrier is lifted, the rush of everyday life is put on hold and a sea of warmth and generosity envelopes the city.

The catalyst for such transformation is thousands of likeminded people coming together to face one of life’s ultimate challenges. With faith placed in months of blood, sweat and tears in training, over 26.2 miles they are driven on to overcome to the peril of failure by the will, energy and encouragement of total strangers.

An evolution ensues, both physical and mental, from the person that nervously arrives at the Marathon Expo brimming with excitement and anticipation into a better version at the finish line, embellished with a medal to prove it.