I spent the day there today as a supporter, on the Runners World support stand.
It started out at 6am, getting a coach up to that London, laden down with bananas, oranges, gels, poweraid drinks, and especially jelly babies. Then a short walk and a train ride to Mudchute -- which is not as unattractive as it sounds. We set up our stall there.
You can see the blue sky, and the dark clouds gathering . . . .
Supporters gradually arrived and socialised, watching the wheelchair racers and the elite runners zoom past at incredible speeds.
London Pride was on sale....
Runners and supporters are encouraged to wear green ribbons to aid recognition.
Sweetest thing and KKD below, on the stand next to mine.
Then, as the normal mortal runners began to arrive, the weather worsened, turning to drizzle, heavy rain, and even hail. During this, we had to concentrate on spotting "our" runners, the ones we were supporting, and offering them cheers, hugs, and carbohydrates. It is in fact very hard at the best of times to spot a runner in the stream of tens of thousands, and pelting rain only makes it harder.
Apparently I failed to notice this chap run past, even though HE WAS ONE OF MINE!
I don't know how I missed him, but I must have looked away for a second, to get something out my bag or look at my list of runners, and he either didn't notice the stand, or chose not to break his stride.
I have few photos of this stage, as I spent most of my time in the road, handing out bananas and bags of jelly babies to soaked runners.
In BBH's case, the carbs come in the form of a can of Strongbow. Notice also the cursed empty plastic bottles. I assume they will all be carefully gathered up and recycled.
Then we saw Mick and Phil, a celebrated pair whose attendance had been in debate until the very last moment. I've run with them in a few races....
Afterwards, of course, we went to the pub. Which was ludicrously packed, including lots of runners whose limbs were gradually stiffening up.
This lady (on the left) used to be called "plodding hippo", but is now much slimmer and faster .... and is still called "plodding hippo" because names stick....
Cookie FatFace and Sezz above.
Scotty Mava and Gobi below.
Gobi spotted me about to snap... Womble also seems to be in all three photos....
