COMMUNITY SPIRIT
NOT EVERYTHING GOES TO PLAN FOR CHARLIE WATSON AT THE MALAWI IMPACT MARATHON, BUT SHE STILL GOES HOME HAPPY
MALAWI IMPACT MARATHON
Charlie enjoying some happier early miles
Inspiring smiley local women run the race in long skirts and flip-flops
Smiles abound at the finish line after some sweaty, dusty miles
ADAM DICKENS 2018
The third place marathoner comes around the corner. A grimace on his face. Water bottle in hand. Plastic flip-flops sliding off his feet. I look down at my own kit. Hydration pack filled with electrolyte drink, compression socks and £150 trainers. The phrase ‘all the gear, no idea’ springs to mind.
I’ve narrowly avoided being lapped by the marathon winner, Keith, a British runner, who finished in just under 3hrs 15mins. His race clearly went more to plan than mine.
I had set off with the 30 other marathoners, including 10 international runners, around 6.20am. The 20-minute delay to the start felt like precious minutes wasted before the sun rose and the temperatures started to rise. After waking at 3am with a rather angry stomach, I didn’t have high expectations for my race.