James Cracknell reveals he is a ‘broken man’ as former Olympian recovers after completing the London Marathon in less than four hours: ‘I had to fight for every mile’
James Cracknell says he is ‘a broken man’ after completing the 26.2 mile London Marathon in less than four hours on Sunday.
The former Olympic rower, 51, was among more than 53,000 competitors when the annual event kicked off in Blackheath, but later admitted the run left him exhausted before he reached the halfway mark.
He wrote on Instagram: ‘Sorry I didn’t post anything yesterday. The truth is, I was a broken man.
‘I managed to find an oasis of peace before the start, before that last nervous movement!
‘It worked, I hadn’t run for a month (foot injury). I set off at a 3-hour pace, hitting the halfway point at 1:29:45. Then the wheels on my car started coming loose. I had to fight for every kilometer.’
James Cracknell says he’s ‘a broken man’ after completing the 26.2-mile London Marathon in under four hours on Sunday
He added: ‘I did 3 hours and 22 minutes, my best is 2 hours and 42 minutes, but I’m really prouder that I got through yesterday.
“If it wasn’t for the amazing crowd, the charities I was raising money for and my family at the end, I might have gotten out.”
Cracknell also paid tribute to fellow competitor Russell Cook, who was dubbed Britain’s ‘hardest guy’ for covering the length of Africa in 352 days, from Cape Agulhas in South Africa to Ras Angela in Tunisia.
He wrote: ‘Thank you to everyone who donated, it will make a huge difference. This morning I’m more in awe of Russ, aka @hardestgeezer, for running across Africa.
‘I drank 26ml yesterday and today I couldn’t run if my life depended on it.’
A record number of people took part in the London Marathon on Sunday, including politicians, actors in character and amateurs in costume.
More than 50,000 people walked the 42.2 kilometer course through the capital on a dry and clear day with a maximum temperature of 12 degrees Celsius.
Runners of all ages completed the route for charity, with several breaking records in costume.
The former Olympic rower, 51, was among more than 53,000 competitors when the annual event kicked off in Blackheath, but later admitted the run left him exhausted.
Cracknell also paid tribute to fellow competitor Russell Cook, dubbed Britain’s ‘hardest guy’ for running the length of Africa, from Cape Agulhas in South Africa to Ras Angela in Tunisia.
Lee Baynton, 39, from Essex, clocked the fastest ever marathon in an inflatable costume as he raised money for a local hospice.
Warren Parish, 41, from Cannock, beat the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon dressed as a cheerleader.
Famous faces taking part included comedian and TV presenter Romesh Ranganathan, who ran for suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably, and actress Ruth Wilson, who ran for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Comedian Joel Dommett walked in the Piranha costume first worn by this year’s Masked Singer winner, Danny Jones of McFly.
The men’s race was won in two hours and four minutes by compatriot Alexander Munyao, ahead of 41-year-old track great Kenenisa Bekele.
Switzerland’s Marcel Hug won the men’s wheelchair race for the fourth year in a row, with a time of one hour, 28 minutes and 38 seconds, while Catherine Debrunner, also Swiss, won the women’s wheelchair race with a time of one hour and 38 minutes . and 52 seconds.
This year’s race marks the first time that wheelchair and non-disabled athletes will receive the same prize money for a marathon.
All four elite race winners will receive £44,000, with second place receiving £24,000 and third place £18,000.
Actress Ruth Wilson put herself forward as a candidate for Alzheimer’s Research UK
Russ Cook, who had run the length of Africa on April 7, ran in support of the Running Charity
Comedian Joel Dommett walked in the Piranha costume first worn by this year’s winner of The Masked Singer
Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir, from Kenya, crosses the finish line, beats the women’s world record and wins the London Marathon in two hours, 16 minutes and 16 seconds