The London Marathon commenced over the weekend and saw over 56,000 people take part in the 26.2 mile marathon. The marathon takes place annually and has done ever since 1981. Over 840,000 enter the ballot to race but only up to 20,000 are successful.
This year saw a new record set for the number of finishers despite the hot weather conditions on Sunday. A total of 56,640 runners crossed the finish line at the end of the route on the 45th edition of the marathon.
Holmfirth Harriers are an athletic club which host events and encourage the members to take part in bigger events such as the London Marathon. The club offers training for anyone whether that is someone looking to get in shape or whether you are a serious runner.
Jack Howarth spoke to Holmfirth Harriers member Paul Sammonds who attended Huddersfield University himself and has completed the London marathon he said: “I got into running when I was a kid and then when I moved up Huddersfield for uni, I just started to get back into it. So I’d go running around Storthes Hall a little bit and then do a bit around Greenhead Park and then, probably in 2012, I got into it properly when I did a couple of 10 k’s.”
Paul signed up for the Manchester marathon in 2023 and decided to join Holmfirth Harriers to try and get in shape for it. The club offers the chance to complete things like cross countries, track and field, road races and many more running events.
Paul who completed the marathon only two days ago said: “The atmosphere at London were brilliant. It’s something that yeah until you actually do it, you don’t realize how it impacts you. And I think probably for me, the highlights of the London marathon.”
Jack asked Paul about the emotions afterwards and he said: “Because of how I was feeling, it was more relief than anything else but it was somewhat really good. And I’d say, actually, you know, the whole marathon itself is probably a bit of an emotional experience because you’ve got all the crowds that are there, and you know you’re doing one of the most iconic marathons in in the world as well.”
Some advice Paul would offer for anyone looking to complete the London marathon is: “Make sure you do some training that’s definitely key. Also get some long runs in, do a little bit of speed work as well. So I built in speed work into my long run.”