Sports Features

Did you take part in this year's Leicester Marathon? Watch the start of the race. Can YOU spot yourself?...

Title: Leicester Marathon 2007 - The Start

	Leicester Marathon 2007 - The Start
Date:	October 2007
Subject:	Leicester Marathon

Not just because watching people pushing themselves to the limit and apparently enjoying the process (well, some of them, anyway) calls forth admiration.

No, it was mainly because this was a real Leicester occasion which had the otherwise reticent British out on the street clapping, cheering and shouting words of encouragement to people they didn't know.

For a few hours Leicester became a real community.

Listen to the highlights of the event and take a look at the photos of some of the runners who crossed the finish...

The organisers are owed a huge debt of gratitude for providing a day that went like clockwork.

Steve Humphries, one of the organisers, said afterwards: "This annual and majestic event has the potential to put the city on the map big time and bring people together from all areas of the Leicester community for years to come."

For part of the marathon I was stationed at Thurcaston Road, Belgrave where the half marathon runners split from the full marathon. I was very impressed at the organisation.

Members of St. John Ambulance were in attendance, there were marshals aplenty, youngsters from the ATC handed out beakers of water to whoever wanted one and there was radio contact with every bit of the route.

Even some bollards which might have presented a dangerous obstacle to the runners were encased in padding and black plastic. Every contingency had been thought about.

The runners were a mixed lot. Apart from the very young and old, every age group was represented.

There were the dedicated professionals who strode out with confidence and energy. The fun runners wore everything from green fright wigs to Scooby-Do outfits.

I saw a blind participant, someone being pushed in a wheel-chair, a man with an artificial leg and one chap wearing a tee shirt with a picture of his dad in whose memory he was running.

All were cheered, all deserved our admiration.

I dare say some motorists will have been put out by the road closures.

But one day of slight travel disruption for the sake of so much good will seems a good deal to me!

Steve Humphries has high hopes for the future.

"Here's to an even bigger and better event in 2008, hopefully with a city centre finish."