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26th April 2009
N.B. if you do register your interest for this event, this is NOT the MoonWalk London which can be found here
Location:London UK
Walk the Walk would like to say a massive thank you to our fantastic team who took part in the 2008 Flora London Marathon! Read on to find out what happened...
From a supporters point of view!
‘Under the clock at Waterloo at 1030’ was the instruction. So that is where 6 jolly WTW staff members gathered on what started out as a bright sunny Sunday morning. Having donned our yellow caps and bra shirts – wisely over the top of ‘layers various’ to become what Jenn described as a ‘bunch of marshmallows’ we set off amidst a multitude of others to support the Flora London Marathon participants. Long queues, packed underground trains and half an hour later we emerged into sunshine at Canada Water. Where do we go from here? No worries – just follow the crowd and the march towards the noise! So by 1120 we were in place alongside the route at about 11 miles or to be more precise at the back of a four person deep wall of supporters. It was exciting the see runners streaming past looking fit, comfortable and happy,.
As the time passed people drifted away so we edged our way in to make camp on the barrier, unfurled the banner and really began to make our presence known. Keeping eyes peeled for approaching WTW caps we joined in the chorus of enthusiastic support – shouting out names, cheering funny outfits and encouraging all. So keen to spot each name and call it out that one of our number was even heard to yell “Well done Flora”! Whoops – name of the event not the participant! It mattered not that the heavens had opened and by this time we were all encased in plastic ponchos as it poured heavily.
At 1215 our first walker came into sight and our volume increased, the banner was held out and no one within earshot could fail to be aware of WTW! She breezed past looking great. The remainder of the team followed by stages and all appeared to be enjoying themselves. Their co-ordinated bras were various creations all in day glow yellow – very fetching – especially Adrian’s! Next stop was Canary Wharf at 18 miles – again swarming with people in spite of the weather.
Here it was alarmingly windy as well as wet and thunder struck overhead. Nonetheless we got stuck into the same routine – shrieking, laughing, encouraging, and lapping up the wonderful atmosphere with ever growing admiration for the courageous participants who kept on coming, smiling and digging in. Again we spotted and made a great fuss of Irene, Gilly, Zoe, Carol and Adrian, Nicola and Hazel together with a handful of other participants who happened to be wearing WTW caps – some a little bemused to be suddenly confronted by such a racket! We then took refuge underground in ‘The Wharf’, enjoyed reviving hot drinks, found a much needed loo and then got back on the Jubilee line towards Westminster.
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" It was the most amazing experience - from the moment that we arrived in Greenwich until the finish of the walk in The Mall the atmosphere was wonderful. The support from all the spectators made you want to cry! Our names were called out (a good idea to put your name on the t shirt) throughout the entire walk - the other great thing was that we heard some fab music all the way around with some amazing live bands playing - all of this really helps to keep you going and keep your spirit soaring. The feeling of pride and achievement at the end was second to none and once again the crowd lining the Mall were fantastic. When you first see that 600m sign then 400m then 200m your legs take on a life of their own and when you walk through the finish line the feeling is a thousand wow's!!! We have never done anything like this so for us it was particularly incredible, especially following a year of breast cancer and treatment, lots of people said that it was better than the moonwalk because you are not so tired starting first thing in the morning and because the electric atmosphere created by the crowds is something to be experienced! " Carolyn
At this stage participants were well spaced out and most were walking, many limping but still cheerful. The WTW walkers all came by looking in good form – all that training had obviously paid off. As the last pair strode out of sight towards their last mile or so we gathered for a final team photo and all concluded that it had been a wonderful day. We walked away full of admiration for every one of those participants, privileged to have witnessed such endeavour and also overwhelmed by the fantastic enthusiasm of all those other supporters – but not many were as noisy as the WTW team! In conclusion a great time was had by all – perfectly summed up by Nicola in a post event message ‘I loved every minute of it, every drop of rain, every bit of sunshine and every little cheer’ – and she has already signed up for next year ….