Helpston Harriers pair take on some of the world’s best in elite London Marathon race

The field features two of the finest distance runners ever in Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele who will be paced by Mo Farah. It will be run on a course comprising 20 laps around St James’s Park, starting and finishing on The Mall, and taking in Horse Guards Parade and Birdcage Walk before passing Buckingham Palace. The two local speedster are hoping to only be lapped once.

‘Training has been ok, but nothing spectacular” said Scott. “I was running well when the race was originally cancelled in April and training up until August went largely to plan. I picked up some tightness of the hamstring/glute in September and it really impacted three weeks of long runs and training. I’ve been seeing a physio and massage therapist for the past week to try and get rid of some tightness, but it’s more that my confidence is missing after not being able to complete those three long runs during a key phase of training. I will still toe the start line and believe I can set off at a perosonal best pace (2:16.57). I’m not setting any expectations other than running to feel.”

All the athletes will be confined to barracks over the final few days, with Scott saying “The Covid situation is very different to anything I’ve ever experienced. We were tested on Monday at an Abbott’s lab and will be again on arrival at the hotel. If either test is positive then of course we will not be allowed to enter the hotel. Once in the hotel it is a secure biosphere, so we can’t leave the grounds. I think there is a small loop we can do our last few runs on, but I feel for Kipchoge and Bekele who arrived on Monday. The hotel is only open to athletes, so no other guests and no other untested people are allowed. It is about an hour’s drive to the course from the hotel, but again we will travel as a group and have no contact with the public. The course is a closed loop, and I understand there are no viewing points whatsoever from the park or streets that surround the course.”

“I’m feeling confident. I’ve not had any set backs and training has gone to plan. My long runs have been strong, so as long as I don’t do anything stupid and I can cope with the fueling I should be fine. I plan to get to half way in about 68 minutes and then see what happens”