The Observer view on the London Marathon
|
Version 0 of 1. Sean Connery was once asked what makes him cry. He replied, his voice a little wobbly: “Athletics.” Although unexpected, Connery’s response makes sense. There is something inescapably emotional about human beings pushing themselves to their physical and mental limits – and no event proves this better than the one that takes place for the 35th time this morning, the London Marathon. Related: Why charity is always the London Marathon’s big winner Today’s races are expected to be instant classics. In the men’s field, five of the seven fastest marathoners in history line up against each other. The women’s race is equally competitive. But the London Marathon is that rare sporting occasion where we care as much – and probably more – about the travails of courageous amateurs as we do about the world’s best. Those elite runners, galloping their sub-five-minute miles for two hours, make it look too easy. For many spectators, the race really begins when we hear the soaring strings and clashing cymbals of Ron Goodwin’s The Trap, the signature music of the BBC coverage. Some 36,000 people will start this year’s marathon and they are likely to raise about £50m for charity. Many will have a strong personal motivation for the discomfort they are certain to endure. Rosie, Ella and Will Martin are running to fulfil a promise they made to their mother as she was terminally ill with ovarian cancer. Major Iain Church, a bomb-disposal expert, will boil himself inside a Hurt Locker-style suit to support the Royal British Legion. World record holder Paula Radcliffe starts with the club runners in her final race. Perhaps you will shed a tear watching it; maybe Sean Connery will, as well. What’s clear is that this humbling, life-enhancing spectacle has made good on the hope of its founder, Chris Brasher, once sports editor of the Observer. In 1979, he wrote in this newspaper about competing in the New York Marathon and the words still resonate: “To believe this story you must believe that the human race be one joyous family, working together, laughing together, achieving the impossible.” |