The hottest London ever saw Juliet and Pete H in the treatment room for de-hydration for 2 hours each.  Despite the conditions Donna broke the ladies club marathon record with her 3:06:36 shaving just over a minute off Juliet's time from last year.  Juliet ran a similar time to 2006 which, when you consider the difference in conditions, was another top performance.  Pete K used his experience and ground out a solid 3:30.  Ceri shook off her 'Titchmarsh Back' and broke the 4 hour mark.  Karen Harrison also had a magnificent debut and she too broke 4 hours.  Everyone suffered in the heat, even the Africans.  It had reached 25 degrees by midday!  Helen melted down to a 4:37 and proclaimed afterwards she would be searching for excuses.  Non are needed, Helen!  Alison's only words were "Never Again!!"  Richard suffered big time, needing treatment for cramp at 13 miles and with major effects of sunstroke it sounds like it was a miracle he finished at all.

Of course, had the weather conditions been 'normal' then times would have been quicker.  Runners tend to 'beat themselves up' when they don't achieve the times they had set themselves nevermind what the conditions were like on the day.  London 2007 will go down in history as a challenge to beat the hot weather.  To finish at all has to be an achievement. 

Haile Gebriselassie had to drop out and you can't tell that lad about hot weather.  He suffered like everyone else and a time came when even he had to step off the road.  He still managed a smile though and was of the opinion 'It happens'.  He just accepted it with a smile and put it behind him.  An attitude that we could all do with using from time to time.

If you were asked to describe the worst conditions for running a marathon then London 2007 would be your answer.

Well Done to everyone.           Report from the runners coming soon...