Tanzania's Faustine Mussa can't quite believe he still has two more laps to run around the city before he can head back to the Mall and end this men's marathon torture. (He finished a respectable 33rd, behind Team GB's Lee Merrien at 30.)
What a great way to spend the last day of the Olympics. Dave and I nearly didn't come out today as we felt quite groggy and tired, probably from too much dust inhalation. But I felt we needed to get some proper fresh air.
So we bolted for the station, late as usual, and managed to get to Liverpool St just before 11. Headed west towards St Paul's and found a relatively unmobbed bit by Lothbury. I momentarily lost Dave, so I coo-cooed into the general crowd only to find Andy C and Sangeeta just behind me, cameras at the ready. Small 365 world.
We watched the runners pant round one lap and then Andy and Sangeeta headed off to find another viewpoint. Dave and I stayed where we were - was interesting to see how the race developed over the three laps, beginning with quite a large pack leading the first lap, but the gaps lengthening substantially between leaders and the rest with subsequent laps. Lots of happy, chatty spectators and marshals, which was nice, all cheering on everybody and especially the Brits, and even more especially, the last runner.
Afterwards, Dave and I negotiated the impenetrable barriers to continue on towards St Paul's and something to eat as I was ravenous. Ended up at a branch of Cote, sitting at an outside table which was glorious in the sunshine, and also useful for watching all the spectators walk past in their interesting attire. We toasted a way-beyond-expectations successful Olympics with glasses of champagne.
What a day eh? Fancy meeting Sangeeta and Andy C in all those millions!! It's been fab - wish I'd been able to get out and about in London a bit more. Been brilliant advertising for the city and country though - it'll be packed with visitors next year spending their Euros, dollars, yen, yuan .... Hurrah!
How funny to bump into each other... We ended up near St Pauls but think this was probably the best spot, but was great to soak up the final moments of a fab fortnight wasn;t it...
