Corona Daily 307: London Marathon at Home

Yesterday, on a gloomy, wet and dark Sunday morning, world’s marathon record holder for women, Brigid Kosgei, was woken up at 03.30 by her alarm. The English hotel she stayed at was allowed to host marathon runners exclusively. The elite men and women who run like cheetahs had been living in a bio-secure bubble for the past two weeks. Each athlete was tested every day. They were allocated a 40-acre ground for practice runs. Each wore a ‘bump device’ around the neck. If two runners came dangerously close to one another (meaning within six feet), both devices lit and emitted a loud alarm. The same device would later let runners know if anyone who came close to them had tested positive. During the training, runners were given individual changing rooms, and individual toilets. This was in London.

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Throughout yesterday, 43000 runners from 109 countries had set their alarms at their convenience. They had paid £25 to download an app (created by the Indian company Tata Consulting Services) that would track their time from start to finish. They could run the 42 km on the streets, woods, beaches, parks or even around their house. On crossing the finish line, as confirmed by the magical app, the runner received a digital certificate by email. In a few days, they will receive a branded t-shirt and an official London marathon medal by post.

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Like the grand slam venues in Lawn tennis, marathon running has six major races annually. London, Boston, Tokyo, Berlin, Chicago and New York. London has a beautiful route set on the river Thames, with views of the Tower of London, Big Ben, Buckingham palace, London eye. The race ends in St James’s park. The race is so popular, it’s difficult to get in. In 2019, 414000 runners applied, 56000 were accepted, and 43000 finished the race. The 50,000+participants and 750,000 spectators make the fourth Sunday of April a festival in central London. Well behaved crowds cheer the fastest men and women, uniformed volunteers stand with water bottles and sponges, medical staff is ready with sprays and stretchers.

This year, spectators were banned.

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Except the Tokyo marathon that happened in March, all other marathons are cancelled this year. London marathon decided to allow only elites, a handful of men and women, the fastest, to run roughly 20 laps of 2.15 km each around St James’s park. Prizes were half of last year. Usually, the flat course allows world records.

English weather is notorious. Yesterday, the marathon coincided with Storm Alex. It rained from start to finish, a unique and unpleasant experience even for the elite runners. Instead of spectators, large cardboard cutouts of the Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William were placed along the route. (Don’t know how that helps the runners).

Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge, who for the last six years has won every marathon race he took part in, had his right ear blocked 15 km before the finish line, and it didn’t open. He came eighth. Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei, though, won as expected.

No matter where a race is, the winners, both men and women, are from Kenya or Ethiopia. It was the same, with one exception. An American white woman came second, a performance that showed to the world that “white runners matter”.

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Those who ran the virtual marathon enjoyed the race more, with the start time, pace, and route all decided by them. In 2021, London marathon will happen again in October. Encouraged by the response, the organisers have made the entry fee for the virtual marathon £125 the next year.

Ravi