Still Running (weakly). Issue 85

PAST – inspiration – “Society often gave murderers a second chance but for 17 miserable pounds I was condemned for life,” said John Tarrant.

You may not have heard of Tarrant (1932-1975), but he is a man who deserves recognition, not least because it was the one thing denied him during his lifetime.

Having earned that £17 as a teenage boxer and being so honest as to declare it when applying to join an athletics club in 1952, he was banned from amateur competition for life under the draconian rules of the time. Intensely frustrated, he concocted a plan to stand by the start line of races in an overcoat, throw it off when the gun went, and join in, for which he became known as ‘the Ghost Runner’. He often won those races.

Eventually reinstated in 1958, he trained even harder with the ambition of representing his country – if possible in the 1960 Olympic marathon. In May of that year, though, he was told that, because of his earlier professional dalliance, he could never wear the international vest he so craved.

Turning to ultradistance events, he set world records at 40 miles (4:03:28 in 1966) and 100 miles (12:31:10 in 1969), as well as winning all the most prestigious events. In 1967 alone, he won the Isle of Man 39 miles, the Exeter to Plymouth 44 miles, the Liverpool to Blackpool 48 miles, and the London to Brighton 52 miles.

The secretary of the British Amateur Athletics Board did write to him to say, “I hope you will find some satisfaction in the knowledge that you have reached a standard which, in other circumstances, would have ensured an international vest.”

John Tarrant died of stomach cancer at the age of 42, fifty years ago this week, on 18th January 1975.

PRESENT – perspiration – As fascinating as the marathon debut of Alex Yee (Olympic triathlon champion) in London this year may be, even more interesting to me is Paula Radcliffe’s decision to race Tokyo and Boston.

The 51-year-old has spoken of her desire to complete the Marathon Majors, and the fact that Tokyo has only just become one, and that Boston always previously clashed with London. (Of the others, she won London and New York three times each, Chicago once, as well as completing Berlin.)

But I wonder if there could be more to it than that. Paula set world records – her 2:15:25 is still the best female marathon performance in my book – and won World, European and Commonwealth titles, but never an Olympic medal. In early 2004, she was said to be in 2:13 shape; and she matched 2:08 performer Paul Evans on an all-out session at least once. How much does the lack of the ultimate prize still rankle?

It is her business of course, but I wonder if completing her set of majors constitutes a tiny, retrospective, subconscious kick against the dissatisfaction of never securing the Olympic glory that her other accomplishments surely merited.

FUTURE – suggestion – Isn’t it about time you sorted out your running goals for this year?

Yes, I know, I am biased because it’s organised by my club, but if you fancy a stunningly beautiful off-road marathon, half marathon or 10km in June (15th), look no further than the Hampshire Hoppit.

Why? It earns Gold awards every year, the scenery is fantastic – think Watership Down sort of fantastic – the marshals are extremely supportive (I know, I’m one of them!), the prerace communication is brilliant, and you get a beer glass (and beer – a pint for the marathon, half-pint for the half, third for the 10km) in your extremely well-stocked goodie bag.

See you there!

(If you would like to recommend a great event in your neck of the woods, please do send me details.)