London marathon - Does anyone else get tearful watching the televised coverage?

[BalladOfBarryAndFreda]

I’m an ex runner, not marathon distances, who watches on TV every year. There’s something about the BBC coverage that gets me. It’s not just the charity clips, it’s the scenes of masses of people, all ages, all sizes, all colours, all together. Mostly smiling, all that training, all that effort. Some running, some walking, some jogging. It really gets me emotionally.

Yes every year without fail. I'm not a runner but there's something quite special about marathon day. I first went when my dad ran in 1989 when I was 9 and have loved it ever since.

Yes! And it’s even worse being there and supporting everyone as they go past - it’s not even cos I’m old now, I’ve been going to support for years and years (the bit I East London where you can se them go pay twice in two different places). So emotional. In the past I’ve always gone home with a lost voice and with red raw hands from all the clapping. Embarrassingly the people I’ve specifically gone to support usually spot me in the crowd before I spot them running past .

Every year. I seem to recall starting a similar thread 2 or 3 years ago whilst crying

Such an incredible effort and showing of human spirit. I can't imagine the sense of achievement the runners must feel afterwards.

Well done to any MNers running today

I always get emotional. Even the London Marathon theme tune gets to me!

@TyrannysaurusXXrightshoarder

Yes! And it’s even worse being there and supporting everyone as they go past - it’s not even cos I’m old now, I’ve been going to support for years and years (the bit I East London where you can se them go pay twice in two different places). So emotional. In the past I’ve always gone home with a lost voice and with red raw hands from all the clapping. Embarrassingly the people I’ve specifically gone to support usually spot me in the crowd before I spot them running past .

They’re looking out for your face to keep them going!

@Violetroselily

Every year. I seem to recall starting a similar thread 2 or 3 years ago whilst crying

Such an incredible effort and showing of human spirit. I can't imagine the sense of achievement the runners must feel afterwards.

Well done to any MNers running today

Yes totally, congratulations to any MNers out there today. Post race & for you

Lovely article yesterday on the BBC news site about the 10 people who have run in all the London marathons! Eight are running this year. What an amazing achievement. 40 marathons.

Ex runner here too, 5-10k distance. Yes, I find it very emotional. I know how hard I worked at running and how much I got out of it, physically and emotionally. I cannot imagine the commitment it takes to train for, and complete, a marathon. Freezing cold lonely runs at 7am on a Sunday in February, ploughing away through rain and wind and the days when your motivation is on the floor..... They are all amazing

Yes me! I ran London in 2013 and it was definitely one of the most magical days of my life, such brilliant memories of the incredible support, people’s stories, the costumes, the sense of achievement. I’ve entered every year since and never got a place again.

October is definitely a better time for it. April is brutal as you spend all winter running in bad weather and doing long runs in the dark.

I’m not a runner but it always makes me really emotional. I remember being up watching it in the morning with my dad, everyone else was asleep and it was such a lovely memory. We call each other now when it’s on.

gets me every time

I'm a sort of runner, but really not much more than a jogwalker. We have friends taking part this year and my husband has gone off to spectate and cheer them on. This one has had such a long run up. Places allocated for April 2020 turned into places for October 2021. Long, long training period! My husband did one marathon a few years ago when he was 61, and although he is incredibly fit for his age he was wiped out for days afterwards. It takes a massive toll on the body and the mental effort is immense. I have to say I'm quite relieved that he decided afterwards that one was enough, box ticked, move on, stick to parkrun and local informal runs with his running friends.

It is emotional. Thinking of a particular friend who is running for a charity doing research into a condition which has left a close relative of hers fighting for his life in hospital at the moment. There will be many stories like that.

No, not me. The sentimentality of it leaves me cold. And I'm not sure running 26 miles is good for the body. I cringe at the "I'm mad me" fancy dress and am cynical about many of the big charities.

Well, you did ask

Yes! My DP takes the piss, but it makes me so emotional. The Olympics gets me in the same way sometimes, but the London Marathon is just normal people being amazing and is really moving.

I started a thread earlier this morning but nobody replied so I figured nobody was watching!

Occasionally I get emotional at some of the backstories, though I'm not a crier particularly.

I could listen to Andrew Cotter forever, though he's only doing some of it.

One day I'd like to go watch it in person.

The elite athletes look happy but exhausted as they're coming through now. Some of them just stop absolutely dead after crossing the line, they've timed it so perfectly that they have nothing left. I do wonder how they're still able to give a urine sample after running so hard for 26 miles!

I was curious about the wheelchair marathon. When watching bits of the paralympics, you get used to the idea that the person who wins the race isn't necessarily the gold medallist, because it's all about what category they're in and they're not all directly competing with each other. But in the marathon, it seems like they are all just in one category, and the winner is the winner.

Always. I did the race in 2018. One of the best and worst days of my life. Would love to do it again.

the theme music is part of what does it for me.

I agree about feeling cynical about some of the big charities, but some of the stories about the smaller charities are interesting.

I keep thinking the female commentator's voice is Clare Balding's, but then I see her face and it isn't.

Yes! Not even a runner but I love it!

It’s the theme tune that gets me every time!! Hated the race itself when I ran it but love watching it on tv.

@AmanitaRubescens

No, not me. The sentimentality of it leaves me cold. And I'm not sure running 26 miles is good for the body. I cringe at the "I'm mad me" fancy dress and am cynical about many of the big charities.

Well, you did ask

That’s fair enough, it’s not for everyone.

I think most of the fancy dress is to increase donations and visibility. Running in costume, especially the big, heavy, hot or totally non aerodynamic ones is really bloody hard. Yes, it’s gimmicky but it’s really bloody hard and people donating usually realise that extra effort and are more likely to donate. The costumes are usually relating to the charity too and help to raise awareness for the charity as they get spotted on the TV camera easily.

My daughter is doing it. Never run before. Trained for 2020 marathon but obviously cancelled. She did a 21 Mike run 3 weeks ago then had to stop as injured foot. She's currently 16 miles in. So proud and yes to getting emotional!

Totally emotional. What gets me are the stories behind some of the fundraisers

@Musicaltheatremum well done to your daughter