Moray runner finds himself heading back on road to London

For a man who HAD called time on marathon running, it's perhaps come as a surprise - even to himself - that Paul Jamieson finds himself lining up for the 2018 London Marathon.

Paul has six times run the Loch Ness Marathon - finishing five times, and once coming LAST having struggled with injury - but after 2017's event, he'd expected that he'd never race again over 26.2 miles.

"Running a marathon is very, very strenguous and it puts a lot of pressures on you. I even did a wee video after Loch Ness 2017 and said, "That's it, I'm never never doing a marathon again", but then the day after, having told everyone else I'm not doing it ever, the London Marathon notification came through that I'd made it!"

"Now there's about 400,000 people that apply through the ballot every year, and I'd made it through the 40,000 or so who get to take part, so it was absolutely gob-smacking!"

"I know there are fellow runners - especially in my own club the Moray Road Runners - who've been trying all throughout their lives to get a place for London - and have never made it."

"So for me to make it, having applied only once, was utterly damning!"

"...there's about 400,000 people that apply through the ballot every year... so it was absolutely gob-smacking!" - Paul Jamieson

The build-up for Paul has been tough, as he'd considered deferring his entry (which is an option) after a shoulder injury. He's been out running with a sling since the problem which he admits does leave him looking "a bit wonky" although he's been supported in his preparation through his Elgin Park Run events at the local Cooper Park.

"Some people seem to think I live hear now!", said PJ, "but initially when I had thought about running and there wasn't any structure or method."

"I then saw details about a local club, the Moray Road Runners, and then went down to run with them around town on a January evening - about six miles or so."

"It wasn't a particularly nice night, and I was very slow, but everyone still waited for me at the end. I really appreciated that sense of community from being part of a running club."

PJ says it won't be a PB in London - joking that he won't be jostling past Sir Mo Farah - and he'll be just happy to get round while also seeing the sights in the capital, claiming it's a fantastic opportunity to see around one of the greatest cities.

"I'll be so far back! But I've heard that even for the first three miles everyone's bumping into each other. I really don't mind being overtaken, but I know it can be good to overtake others and set yourself wee goals or target people to get ahead of."

"It can be the smallest thing ever sometimes creeping up on another runner up ahead - but for heavens sake - don't then slow down. Runners hate that!"

With the prospect of record temperatures, Paul says he has the utmost respect for those in fancy dress - although he dreads being overtaken by anyone in costume.

"I'll just be wearing my Moray Road Runners 'semmit'!"

PJ isn't slow in thanking those who've made his trip to 2018's London Marathon a reality, saying "Although it's taken me a couple of years to get to this level, I couldn't have done it without my family and friends."

"I remember not long after coming to the Moray Road Runners having a coffee with my daughter Erin, and I said, "I've been out and bought a new running vest" and she said, "That's lovely, how much was that then?" - it cost me £40"

"She replied "£40!? Forty pounds on a T-Shirt!?!", but I just said, "The way I look at it, I'm just doing this to stay fit, so I can stay on this planet a wee bit longer and look after you!" - so when she heard that, I think she understood."

"I just know whenever I cross the finish line at The Mall it will be absolutely fantastic."