London Marathon 2003
On Sunday 13 April 2003, Matt successfully completed the London Marathon, all 26 miles of it. Yes OK, 32,000 other people did it too but this was our little Matt!
Mary and Colin, Donna and Jamie went from Deddington up to London to support him. Donna and Jamie went onto the east London loop and saw and spoke to him on both the outward and return legs; Mary and Col saw him coming over Tower Bridge after 13 miles then again in lower Thames Street at 23 miles. More importantly he saw us, stopping for a hug first time but later said he had to keep moving or else he'd collapse. We were nearly in tears cos he looked so exhausted.
One knee was heavily braced and strapped up as it had been damaged it in training. It was very sore and he'd used loads of pain killers. He had been concerned that this might prevent him running at all.
Matt had programmed 'mile-post' text messages into his mobile phone and sent them off to us all as he reached various stages. We even spoke to him by phone coupla times as he ran.
Emily's parents Carolyn and Humphrey also came from Windsor to cheer him on over the Docklands loop.
Emily was waiting at the finish and kept ringing us to know how he looked; she's as relieved as we are that it's all over. She's made him promise not to do it again!
Matt's time was a mere five hours and twenty three minutes; only 21,147 runners behind Paula Radcliffe! Whereas his uni/rowing mate Robin Newman only managed four hours and seven minutes :-) (Well done Robin!)
Afterwards we were all entertained to tea by FARM Africa at the Farmers' Club in Whitehall. Overall, another memorable day in the Robinson annals.
