James Cracknell says he is ‘a broken man’ after completing the 26-mile London Marathon in less than four hours on Sunday.
The former Olympic rower, 51, was among more than 53,000 participants as the annual event got underway in Blackheath, but later admitted the run left him drained before he reached the halfway point.
Taking to Instagram, he wrote: ‘Sorry for not posting anything yesterday. Truth is I was a broken man.
‘Before the start I managed to find a quiet oasis, for that final nervous movement!
‘I made it round, I hadn’t run for a month (foot injury). I went of at 3hr pace and hit halfway at 1:29:45. Then the wheels started to come off my wagon. I had to fight for every mile.’
James Cracknell says he is ‘a broken man’ after completing the 26-mile London Marathon in less than four hours on Sunday
He added: ‘I did 3hr22min, my best is 2hr42min, but I am genuinely prouder of getting through yesterday.
‘If it hadn’t been for the amazing crowds, the charities I was fundraising for and my family at the end I might have stepped off.’
Cracknell also paid tribute to fellow participant Russell Cook, dubbed Britain’s ‘hardest geezer’ for running the length of Africa, from South Africa’s Cape Agulhas to Tunisia’s Ras Angela, in 352 days.
He wrote: ‘Thank you to everyone who donated it will make a huge difference. This morning I am more in awe of Russ aka @hardestgeezer for running the length of Africa.
‘I did 26mls yesterday and I couldn’t run today if my life depended on it.’
A record number of people ran in the London Marathon on Sunday, including politicians, actors in character and amateurs in costume.
More than 50,000 people ran the 26.2-mile course through the capital on what was a dry and bright day, which saw highs of 12C.
Runners of all ages completed the route for charity, with a number breaking records in costume.
The former Olympic rower, 51, was among more than 53,000 participants as the annual event got underway in Blackheath, but later admitted the run left him drained
Cracknell also paid tribute to fellow participant Russell Cook, dubbed Britain’s ‘hardest geezer’ for running the length of Africa, from South Africa’s Cape Agulhas to Tunisia’s Ras Angela
Lee Baynton, 39, from Essex, clocked the fastest-ever marathon in an inflatable costume while raising money for a local hospice.
Warren Parish, 41, from Cannock, beat the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon dressed as a cheerleader.
Famous faces taking part included comedian and TV presenter Romesh Ranganathan, who ran for suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably, and actress Ruth Wilson, who ran for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Comedian Joel Dommett ran in the Piranha costume first worn by this year’s Masked Singer winner, McFly’s Danny Jones.
The men’s race was won by fellow Kenyan Alexander Munyao in two hours and four minutes, ahead of 41-year-old track great Kenenisa Bekele.
Switzerland’s Marcel Hug won the men’s wheelchair race for the fourth year in a row, with a time of one hour, 28 minutes and 38 seconds, while Catherine Debrunner, also Swiss, won the women’s wheelchair race with a time of one hour, 38 minutes and 52 seconds.
This year’s race is the first time that wheelchair and non-disabled athletes have received the same prize money for a marathon.
All four winners of the elite races will receive £44,000, with the runner-up receiving £24,000 and third place £18,000.
Actress Ruth Wilson ran for Alzheimer´s Research UK
Russ Cook, who finished running the entire length of Africa on April 7, ran in support of the Running Charity
Comedian Joel Dommett ran in the Piranha costume first worn by this year’s winner of The Masked Singer
Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir, from Kenya, crosses the finish line beating the women´s-only world record and winning the London Marathon in two hours, 16 minutes and 16 seconds
