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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Marathon reflection | Marathon reflection |
| (30 days later) | |
| This time last week I had my feet up and was admiring a blister having run the London Marathon earlier in the day. I'd planned to write a celebratory piece the following morning - not celebrating my own achievement, though I was pleased enough with it, but the glory of the great event itself. That plan was put on hold when I heard about the death of Claire Squires, who collapsed within reach of the finish line and never recovered. An astonishing public response has taken the form of donations to the Samaritans, the charity she was running for, exceeding £1m. | This time last week I had my feet up and was admiring a blister having run the London Marathon earlier in the day. I'd planned to write a celebratory piece the following morning - not celebrating my own achievement, though I was pleased enough with it, but the glory of the great event itself. That plan was put on hold when I heard about the death of Claire Squires, who collapsed within reach of the finish line and never recovered. An astonishing public response has taken the form of donations to the Samaritans, the charity she was running for, exceeding £1m. |
| It felt wrong, for obvious reasons, to write of the fun and glory of the marathon when one of those who took part is no longer with us. One week on it still feels uncomfortable, even though fun and glory had been part of the marathon for most who took part and no doubt will be again next year. I did, though, think it right to thank readers who supported my participation and, in my journalistic capacity, to say how much I enjoyed the day. It was my second marathon. I love the variety of the route, the very different parts of London it threads through; the music; the cheering crowds; the sense of generous common endeavour. I hope very much to take part again next year. And I'm sure that none who completed the marathon this year or who line up for the start in 2013 will forget Claire. | It felt wrong, for obvious reasons, to write of the fun and glory of the marathon when one of those who took part is no longer with us. One week on it still feels uncomfortable, even though fun and glory had been part of the marathon for most who took part and no doubt will be again next year. I did, though, think it right to thank readers who supported my participation and, in my journalistic capacity, to say how much I enjoyed the day. It was my second marathon. I love the variety of the route, the very different parts of London it threads through; the music; the cheering crowds; the sense of generous common endeavour. I hope very much to take part again next year. And I'm sure that none who completed the marathon this year or who line up for the start in 2013 will forget Claire. |
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