Giordano’s Marathon – Race Day!
Marathon day has finally arrived…
All the prep has led to this. We will be posting info throughout the day on Giordano’s progress, keep a track here or via social media. If you wish to sponsor Giordano and the work of the Society, click the button
Update – 13.20
and he has done it! 3 hrs 34 mins 12 sec – Absolutly fantastic effort.
Update – 12.40
Gio is now at 22 miles. Every step brings him closer to the finish line. Still maintaining a great pace and heading down to the long stretch along the Thames embankment.
Our roving reporters have managed to get themselves up onto The Mall and will be cheering Gio on from their grandstand position! Not long now.
Update – 12.15
The 18 mile point brings Gio into Canary Wharf. Now with less that 10 miles to go, the pain must be starting to build. Despite this Giordano is maintaining a great average pace of around 7:47 over the 18 miles keeping the 3 hrs 30 mins in view.
Formerly one of the busiest docks in the world, Canary Wharf became the UK’s new financial hub in 1991.
The 97-acre commercial estate is home to a glittering array of skyscrapers, including One Canada Square, which was the tallest building in the UK for two decades before being surpassed by the Shard. The area was given its name when fruit grown in the Canary Islands started arriving into the docks during the 1930s.
(Source https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/results/history-of-the-london-marathon)
Update – 11.30
12 miles brings up the point at which Giordano will turn and cross the Thames and importantly well on the way to halfway through the marathon. An average pace of 7:44 over the first half of the race keeps him on track to meet his target time of around 3 hrs 30 min.
Our roving reporters in London were able to get this photo of Giordano around the Tower Bridge area. Great spot Kirk and Jon and keep on running Gio!
Click here for a longer video with sound! (He comes into view around 37 seconds)
The 12 mile mark will bring into view, two famous London landmarks – The Shard and Tower Bridge.
Standing at 309.6 metres (1,016 feet) high, the Shard is the tallest building in the UK, the fifth-tallest building in Europe and the newest landmark on the London Marathon route.
Officially opened in February 2013, runners in the Virgin Money London Marathon have been able to see the Shard from Tower Bridge since the glass-clad pyramidal tower started appearing on the skyline in 2010.
Perhaps the most famous landmark on the route, Tower Bridge provides an unbeatable backdrop, showcasing the capital in all its splendour.
(Source https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/results/history-of-the-london-marathon)
Update – 10.30
Off to a great start. A pace of 7:36 per mile over the first 3 miles and 7:42 over the next 3 miles. This puts him on track to meet his target time of around 3 hrs 30 min.
The 6 mile mark will bring Giordano to the Cutty Sark.
Now synonymous with the London Marathon, Cutty Sark had a previous life as a clipper ship transporting alcohol and tea between the UK and China.
The ship was moved to a dry dock in Greenwich in 1954 and despite a devastating fire in May 2007, it was restored to its former glory. The atmosphere around Cutty Sark is electric on Marathon Day, as it is one of the most popular sections of the course for spectators.
(Source https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/results/history-of-the-london-marathon)
Update – 09.44 3/10/2021
And he’s off!
Update – 09.00 3/10/2021
Warm up before the start – very important!
Update – 08.30 3/10/2021
Good morning and welcome to Race Day!
Giordano has arrived the Blue start area in Greenwich.
You can see the route he will be taking on the map below. Whilst we wait for his start time, what do we know about the London Marathon?
History
The London Marathon has become an annual, inspiring and colourful fixture in the world’s sporting calendar since the inaugural race on 29 March 1981. More than a million people have completed the course, over a billion pounds has been raised for charity and there have been countless amazing tales of human achievement.
Inspired by the New York City Marathon, which was established in 1970, Olympic steeplechase medallists Chris Brasher and John Disley were determined that the London Marathon would showcase the very best of the capital. They also declared the event would help people ‘to have fun, and provide some happiness and sense of achievement in a troubled world’.
The event captivated people’s imagination from the off, with more than 22,000 runners applying to take part in the first race. However, the original capacity was capped due to safety reasons, so there were just 7,741 runners who crossed the first-ever Start Line in Greenwich Park. A mere fraction of the 45,000-plus runners that we see in the modern versions of the event.
(Source https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/results/history-of-the-london-marathon)
Update – 22.00 2/10/21
Pre-Event
Giordano has completed his registration, picked up his pre-race goodies and has headed off for a good nights sleep before an early start in the morning. His start time isn’t until 9.40, but he will be getting into position around 8.30.
