Last but not least

As someone who grew up watching the black-and-white television images of the Olympic Games, I can vividly remember the thrill and anticipation that filled our living room whenever the marathon was about to begin. The race has always been a testament to human resilience, determination, and the indomitable spirit that lies within each runner.

Marathons: Men’s Sat 7am, Women’s Sun 7am, BBC1, 8am Eurosport 1

As someone who has been following the Olympics for decades, I have always admired the traditional structure of the events, with the men’s marathon closing the Games. However, this year’s decision to switch the order and make the women’s marathon the final event is a refreshing change that reflects the progressive nature of these modern times. As a woman who has run several marathons myself, I am thrilled to see such an important step towards gender equality in sports being taken at the highest level. This move sends a powerful message to young girls and women around the world that their achievements are just as valued as those of men. I look forward to watching the women’s marathon in Paris with great anticipation, knowing that it will be the crowning event of the Games.

It’s hard to believe, but women’s stamina was doubted and they had to fight for the right to run the 26 miles and 385 yards of the marathon. It has only been an Olympic event for women since it was introduced at the Los Angeles Games in 1984. The gold was won back then, in two hours, 24 minutes and 52 seconds, by Joan Benoit Samuelson of the USA, who made an early break from the pack and ran alone for the next 20-odd miles to the finish.

The selection of the route in Paris carries great significance. For this year’s 40th-anniversary women’s Olympic marathon, athletes will run from City Hall to Versailles and back, retracing a course steeped in history. This race honors the Women’s March on Versailles that took place on October 5, 1789, when a multitude of women marched towards the royal palace to persuade the king to return to the Tuileries. It was on this day that Louis XVI consented to ratify the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen.

Women had to fight for the right to run the Olympic marathon

As a seasoned marathon runner with several city races under my belt, I can confidently say that this route presents some truly formidable physical challenges. Compared to many other urban marathons, this one is undeniably hilly, boasting a total ascent of 436 metres and a slightly steeper descent. The steepest gradient reaches an astounding 13.5%, making it a demanding section that will test even the most experienced runners. I’ve encountered my fair share of challenging terrains during my running career, but this course promises to push me to my limits. If you’re up for a grueling yet rewarding race, don’t miss out on this marathon!

To qualify, women needed a personal best of two hours, 26 minutes and 50 seconds (men a PB of two hours, eight minutes and ten seconds). The fastest woman in the race is Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia, who ran two hours, 11 minutes and 53 seconds in Berlin last September. It was a stunning performance, but in the records the time has an asterisk, because she was running in a mixed-gender event.

As a long-time runner myself, I have always admired the incredible speed and determination of elite female marathoners like Peres Jepchirchir. Having run a few half-marathons myself, I can only imagine the dedication and perseverance it takes to set a world record in such a grueling event. The fact that she set the fastest time for a women-only marathon in London this year, completing the course in an astonishing 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 16 seconds, is truly inspiring. It serves as a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and resilience, qualities that I strive to embody in my own life. Kudos to Peres Jepchirchir for her incredible achievement!

On the second-to-last day, the men’s marathon race takes place, and it seems that African athletes are poised to maintain their stronghold in this event. Among the top contenders are Eliud Kipchoge from Kenya and Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele. These two athletes have been competing against each other since 2003, with one consistently outperforming the other across various distances. Currently, at 39 years old, Kipchoge has won the last two Olympic marathons and holds the second-fastest time ever recorded on an eligible course.

However, Bekele’s training has been impacted by the untimely death of his fellow Kenyan, Kelvin Kiptum, at just 24 years old in a car accident back in February. Despite this, Bekele now finds himself with an opportunity – but wagering against Kipchoge might not be wise. The question remains whether their legs and lungs can handle the steep inclines. Will it culminate in a dash to the finish line when the runners reach the Esplanade des Invalides?

On Sunday’s women’s race will be an impressive finale to the Games, and I hope it will be as memorable for many as my first sports memory – the 1960 marathon at the Olympic Games in Rome. Although I didn’t personally witness it, my recollection is primarily of a black-and-white TV screen showing the empty Stadio Olimpico.

In those days, we didn’t have the advanced technology to track each step of the street race in real time. Instead, we were left with speculation, muddled updates, and the thrilling anticipation of waiting. But then, finally, a surprising figure appeared, galloping into the stadium alone. He was Ethiopian, barefooted, and he had outrun most of the competitors almost entirely by miles.

Abebe Bikila’s win showcased not only the aesthetics of sports, but its global inclusiveness. In that one solitary lap, sports transcended boundaries and the excitement and awe of it permeated our living room in south London, making us feel connected to the world. This was sports as it truly embodies itself.

2024-08-07 16:05

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