This weekend I went to watch the London Marathon because my cousin Peter was running to raise money for a children’s hospital. I think this is the third time he has run the London Marathon and he has also completed the New York one too. It was a great day out with a lovely atmosphere. I can’t believe how many people ran for charity and some of their outfits were pretty funny! You might have seen it on TV, you might even have gone along to watch and cheer. The website is www.virginlondonmarathon.com if you want to find out more. Some of you will know about the history of marathons if you have studied the Ancients Greeks. I will be impressed with whoever can tell me how they came to be called marathons!

I was really pleased this year because I actually saw Peter run past as we were standing outside the Tower of London. I also saw the winners of the men’s race run past me, including Mutai, and the people in wheelchairs were amazing; I don’t know how they managed to wheel themselves for such a long way. Some of the wheelers and runners looked very tired when I saw them but they were kept going by the cheering of the crowds, which is why it’s so important to go along and cheer, even if you know you are never going to run one yourself! (My nephew thought he saw me running on TV but I can assure him that was not me!). Peter had trained really hard for this race and he finished the marathon in 3 hours 2 minutes and 6 seconds which I think is unbelievably quick. Peter was quite disappointed as he really wanted to finish in under 3 hours. He said afterwards that he had found the last 2 kilometres really hard going and nearly had to give up. But he heard the crowds cheering and also the stewards encouraged him and he was able to finish. I think he should be very proud of his achievements!

The cheering of the crowd helps to keep runners going.

I wanted to share this story with you as a lesson never to give up. If you believe in yourself you can do it! I think we should always try to challenge ourselves to do that little bit better and you could think about what it is you would like to improve on. For year 6 it might be that last bit of revision before the SATs? Maybe you feel you need to practise your handwriting more or get more involved in science? Perhaps it might be doing something with your family? The possibilities are really endless and each of you will have different ambitions and goals. Whatever they are, it’s important not to give up. You don’t know what you can do until you try. I am in the middle of writing another essay for my course and I am finding it really hard. But I am hoping I can still finish it in time!

Tired, but proud to have completed the marathon!

Going back to Peter, he had said this would be his last London Marathon, but now he is thinking he could do just one more! I really hope to see him run again next year and I KNOW he can do under 3 hours. Even if he doesn’t he will have raised a lot of money for a children’s charity and at the end of the day, that’s what the London Marathon is really about; ordinary people making a difference by doing something extraordinary. See you next year Peter!