pickupthepacepaul

Running London Marathon is always a highlight in my running calendar. On 21st April 2024, I had the privilege of running London Marathon 2024. This was my 12th in person London Marathon (13 including 2020). It was also my 153rd Marathon (plus) and the 113th event as an official pacer (50th Marathon as a pacer, including 7 at London). It was also my 3rd Marathon in April 2024 and 4th Marathon in 5 weeks. Now I am looking forward to some rest.

My love affair with London Marathon goes back to when I was a child. I loved the idea of the London Marathon (other than MDS, I didn’t really have any other big events on my radar). When I was old enough, I started applying, but I did not know about the guaranteed entry that used to be available if you were rejected 5 years in a row. Unfortunately, I did apply and get rejected more times than this, but I missed applying for one year. If I knew then what I do now, I wouldn’t have missed it. After years of trying, I decided to go for a charity entry, which was a very big commitment for me at the time. I didn’t have the means within my family or social awareness / presence to raise the funds. So this was a bit of a challenge in itself. I then opted for an even bigger challenge and ran as a Rhino for my very first marathon, London Marathon 2011.

I then accidentally booked my wedding day on the same weekend as the London Marathon. So the following year, I certainly could not run London Marathon 2012. It does now mean that every year, I share my wedding anniversary with the London Marathon. This weekend, I celebrated my 12th year married to my beautiful wife, Kirsty, and my 12th London Marathon.

I have now run London 1 time virtually, 1 time in the ballot, 4 times for charity, and 7 times as a pacer. One of the requirements of being a pacer is doing a shift at the London Marathon Expo. I attended on the first morning, as I always like to get to the expo earlier in the week before it gets busier. It was the usual high-quality standard of exhibitions, but in honesty, I don’t have anything I need from these events after attending hundreds.

I collected my pacing kit, and it was a pleasure to talk to runners about the London Marathon, Pacing, and answering lots of questions about the day. The favourite part of London Marathon isn’t the running any more, it’s the community. I love helping people hit their goals, especially first-time marathoners.

I tried to rest and recover most of the week. As always, I made sure my race kit was ready the night before.

London Marathon 2024

It was an early start on race morning. Whilst my wave started just after 11:00, there was a request for the pacers to meet at 07:30 for preparations. I usually get to the start early, but this was a little too early for me to be able to get the first bus on my route. So I had to leave at 5:40 to get to the start on time.

I arrived at 07:29, and I saw this as a good vibe for how the rest of the day would go. It was lovely chatting with the rest of the pacers before the start. Many of whom I have known for many years and paced with on many occasions around the world.

I made my way to the start area just after 10:00, and went into my wave as soon as it opened so people could find me. Before the wave opened, I spoke with runners and started giving advice and support.

There was a big group of runners for 4:40. Lots of first-time marathon runners and a mix of nerves and excitement. I talked about the race strategy, hydration, and the course and gave some reassuring tips… most importantly, to stay positive and enjoy the experience. The goal pace was 10:40 min mile.

The weather was perfect. It was a cold start in the morning, but whilst running, it couldn’t be better. The 10:40 pace is not one I’m familiar with as I usually run a 9:09 whilst pacing. I was therefore extra careful to ensure I got to the desired pace immediately and stuck to it. As I told those around me, my role was to worry about the pace  so they didn’t need to.  In addition, it was not as simple as running at just quicker than 10:40 min / mile because we ran further. In fact, I ran 26.59 miles, which is a 3rd of a mile longer, which takes a lot of adjustments whilst running. I’m proud of my splits at the London Marathon, especially as it is a pace I’m not overly familiar with.

The energy running around London was electric. The crowd support seemed even better than normal, and it was a constant sea of supporters from start to finish. Tower Bridge is always a highlight, and it is nice to have made it onto BBC for the highlights.

I had a large group that started and finished with me. Whilst some fell off pace slightly, others joined later. I remember one runner who joined me from mile 17, and the final part of the marathon is a great time to bring people with you and help them pick up the pace.

I always love speaking to runners at the end who have run with me. Feedback is always lovely. I had a really lovely message after the event, which I can’t do justice by describing, so I have copied it below:

Thanks so much. Paul could never have gotten through today without your skill and support!!!!! Everyone is talking about my impeccable splits. Thank you so so so much. I would have slowed at 24, but then you said we don’t stop now if you slow it onto hurts for longer, and then I was determined to stay with you!

I have no idea how you do this! Well done!! It’s not even dividing the distance by the time as I hadn’t appreciated you have to take into account the extra distance with the weaving and the water stations etc etc so I am bemused as to how you did that but am so glad you did!! Your advice was brilliant too!
Just keep going or it hurts more worked well😂
Let’s make the last 10k the easiest -liked that!!!😂
Let’s Finish feeling ok by maintaining this pace constantly 👍
Get water get water!! Lucozade team there’s Lucozade!
And you were so encouraging!!!
A huge thank you

Dawn, sub 4:40 Marathoner

If anyone ever asks me why I pace, it’s this… I know I had a positive impact on many runners at London Marathon 2024. We were a community of runners, and we ran together. If I can help one person like this, then it’s worth it.

At the finish, I always look out for my family in the same place, and it was great to go for a high five with my kids with 800 metres to go.

I was on schedule to finish 15 seconds under target, but with the different pace and nervousness, I sped up at the finish. Whilst many pacers slow down at the finish, I always love to push the last few runners for a strong finish, and I would rather run a little faster with my group than fall behind. My official time was 4:39:33, which I am very happy with.

London Marathon once again captured my heart. It remains my favourite race. Did you run the London Marathon this year? How did you get on?