The 40th wave
In a heartwarming display of community spirit, Mini London Marathon alumni, their families, and friends formed a celebratory 40th wave for the 40th edition.
Among the crowd were some of the nation's most successful athletes, adding a touch of star power to the event. The 2.6K course was filled with laughter, cheers, and unforgettable moments.
Non Stanford is a five time-participant of the Mini London Marathon, taking part between 2001 and 2005 and winning the final three races.
She went on to become a World and European triathlon champion. The 36-year-old took part in the special 40th wave and credited the Mini London Marathon with helping propel her to sporting success.
She said: “It is amazing to be back here and it brought back some wonderful memories of being a kid and doing sport. I have seen some familiar faces of people I used to race against and for the kids taking part it might be their first ever taste of a sporting event and it is so important to engage kids in activity and make sure they can take part throughout their lives.
“The Mini London Marathon sparked the passion for running and was the start of my career in sport. To have a taste of racing nationally, coming from a small town in south Wales to running in London against others from around the UK definitely started my love for racing."
Sharon Murphy is a three-time Mini London Marathon winner, taking home first place in the U15 race in 1991 and the U17 race in 1992 and 1993.
She returned as an adult in 2007 to run the full 26.2 miles at the London Marathon.
Today she is back at the Mini with her 15-year-old daughter.
“It’s incredible to be back and soak up the atmosphere,” Sharon said. “Coming down The Mall and seeing the young kids run is amazing. It's about them and enjoying running. I’ll always be a runner. I still love it.”
Martin Chester, 52, first ran the Mini London in 1989 and has gone on to complete nine London Marathons.
He took part in the 40th wave with his wife, Sheryl, who won the Mini London Marathon in 1987, plus old club mates from his running club.
He said: “I was trying to find a few medals in the loft, I found three but I think I’ve done four [Mini Marathons] I have run with some of my old club friends from Havering AC, based in Essex near Romford. I’ve run since I was young, I was pretty good at school but went to a running club and got found out a bit because people were faster, but you get fitter!”
On seeing so many participants still enjoying the TCS Mini London Marathon years later:
“It is fantastic, if they have some sort of discipline that gives them focus and you get a lot of camaraderie. Running is probably more known as an individual sport but because I have run in a team for a number of years I am always cheering on my team-mates. You can build lifelong friends and relationships from it.”
One family who took part in the 40th wave was Leila and William Oliver from Maidenhead, Berkshire.
Leila ran the Mini as a child, so she was keen to bring her son along and relive the experience.
“The Mini London Marathon got me into running,” said Leila, who is Head Coach at Running 4 Everyone. Her son, William said: “It’s just great being here, everyone’s really nice, and I would definitely do it again!”