Major marathons are celebrations of the sport, celebrations of movement, and celebrations of the culture around running events. Part of that culture is the Expo. I liked the space, the adidas expo areas was not overdone, tastly done, and it gave the runners who came through a chance to see not only adidas product, but the race entries from various companies and most of the major footwear brands. Did like the Lucozade booth at the expo.
David Weir, five time winner of the Virgin London Marathon was called by one keen observer of the sport ” the most talented athlete that Great Britain has,”. That might be challenged, but the love of Mr. Weir by the British sports fan can not be challenged. The man is an amazingly talented athlete and a gutty one at that!
It was fitting then, that Mr. Weir spoke as the only elite athlete at the Virgin London elite athlete reception. What was fascinating was the Dave Bedford, the co race director, along with Hugh Brasher, did not speak at the event. Hugh Brasher, son of the late Chris Brasher, the co founder of the race, along with John Dinsely, spoke.
Hugh Brasher was both thoughtful and self depricating. He noted that while most decisions for the marathon were made this year by Mr. Bedford, that Dave had told Mr. Brasher, that if anything went wrong on Sunday, it would be noted that Mr. Brasher made all of the decisions. Hugh also said, ” Welcome to the world’s greatest marathons, oh, Sorry Mary.” He said that, the same words that Dave Bedford had noted for several years, in a bit of competitive jest with Mary Wittenberg, President of the New York Road Runners.
Dave Bedford will remain part of the race, especially in the area of organizing the field. But Hugh Brasher, a man who has put on races with much success, whose Sweat Shop is a significant part of the run specialty business in the British Isles, will be the guy who the media focuses on in the future.
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Virgin London Marathon Press Update 2
20th April 2012 |
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