Afternoon:
10°c
The Masai's marathon was easy... there were no lions!
Danny Brierley, Evening Standard14 Apr 2008
They came to London to raise money for their sun-parched African village and were lashed by Britain's cold spring rain.
But the Masai warriors, who were the surprise attraction of the 2008 Flora London Marathon, were not going to let the weather ruin their day.
After all, at least there weren't any lions.
The six warriors, who were running in shoes cut from old car tyres, were hoping to raise £60,000 for their village.
Group leader Ngouvu Leporu, 24, said: "We wanted to make enough money for the water equipment our village needs. We do not have rain like here so we need a little help."
Another Masai, Isaya, 24, said: "The marathon was easy, there were no lions. Our elders told us we can do the marathon because we have been running all over, killing a lion and herding cattle."
Ngouvu added: "The crowds, they cheered us a lot. It was a big noise. They all clapped and said 'Masai come on, Masai come on' almost all the way. It was a little cold but lots of fun."
One of the six was forced to quit after feeling ill and another pulled out to accompany him to hospital, but the remaining four crossed the line in five hours and 24 minutes.
So far they have raised more than £26,000 but many donations are yet to be counted.
Among the other runners, champion freediver Sam Still, who was unable to walk for five months after being injured in an Egyptian terrorist bombing two years ago, finished in just over four hours. Mr Still suffered shrapnel wounds to his head, upper torso and leg in a bomb attack in the resort of Dahab that killed 23 people. The 26-year-old from Fulham said: "The feeling of crossing the line was unreal and the atmosphere was electric. I ran for the Red Cross because they helped me when I was blown up."
It was also an emotional day for Jane Tomlinson's 20-year-old daughter Rebecca.
Seven months after her fund-raising mother died after a long-fought battle against cancer, Rebecca completed the race with her 46-year-old father, Michael.
She said: "My mum would be immensely proud. She did the race three times so she knew how hard it was. But she also loved it and now I know why."
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay came second in his private race with rival London chef Michel Roux. Ramsay said after finishing the race in 3 hours 45 minutes, 17 minutes behind the Frenchman: "Time is on my side and I am going to cane his ass next year."
Reader views (2)
A tremendous thank you to everybody who turned out to support the runners yesterday. It made me feel like a real sportsman and I hardly spared a thought for how tired I was getting. The noise along the final three miles was brilliant. Runners wearing ipods or walkmans are missing out on so much. Well done London.
- Paul Jackson, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, 14/04/2008 21:01
Report abuse
We came up to watch the race - it was fabulous - all the runners were great - and the weather was nasty at times! The poor Masai, coping with torrential rain and hail! Well done to every one, cheering you all on was fun too - it has inspired my 8 year old daughter - she wants to run dressed as a tube of toothpaste!!
- Naomi, Sussex, 14/04/2008 13:22
Report abuse
