'Mile 11 is when it hit really hard' - What it's like to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon
Owen and his siblings have raised more than £2,500 for charity
More than 20,000 runners were spotted darting through the capital yesterday (Sunday, 6 April) for the London Landmarks Half Marathon.
The race is a closed road, central London run and is the only half marathon to go through both the City of London and City of Westminster.
Owen O’Brien, 25, from Ascot, Berkshire ran the 13.1 mile race in 1 hour and 41 minutes with his two younger siblings Mallika and James.
Owen O'Brien said, "It's a family day. We've been looking forward to it for weeks, we talked about our nerves before the race, it makes you feel more comfortable when you are running with each other."
The half marathon starts on Downing Street and passes 17 of London’s most impressive landmarks, including Big Ben, The Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Somerset House.
From cultural landmarks and heritage to the city’s quirky and hidden secrets, runners get to explore the capital on a route unlike any other.
The event is organised by pregnancy and baby charity Tommy’s to benefit themselves and many other charities, including Cancer Research UK and Alzheimer's Research UK.
More than £50,000,000 has been raised since the first event in 2018.
The O’Brien siblings ran for MCKS Charitable Foundation UK, setting up a GoFundMe page which has raised over £2,500.
The MCKS Charitable Foundation UK is a non-profit organisation that aims to help alleviate suffering by providing caring and compassionate support to all, regardless of culture or religious background.
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MCKS’s objective is to create healthy and resilient communities in the UK through feeding programs, educational support, and charitable services. The charity's schools program supplies food, toiletries, and hygiene products to 150 schools across the UK so children can have discreet access to basic provisions.
Additionally, they also provide food for breakfast clubs and food for students in need during exam periods, as well as offering emergency care packages.
Owen O’Brien said: “It’s got to be London Landmarks. The route that you run around central London is really great. All of the people spectating are amazing and it's organised to the point with all the entertainment stations along the route”.
The Queen stage is located at mile 3.9 and saw performances from London Gay Men’s Chorus and Midi Music Company throughout the day.
Genesis Carnival Arts could also be spotted along the route, showcasing their moves, music, and magnificently bright costumes, keeping runners and spectators entertained with their signature style blend of traditional and modern design.
Tommy’s Rainbow cheer point was the flagship of the race at mile 5.1 and 5.8. Tommy's Rainbow is a symbol of hope and memory of every baby loved but never forgotten. The charity aims to stop the heartbreak and devastation of baby loss and make pregnancy and birth safe for everyone.
Owen O’Brien said: “Mile 11 is when it really hit. I had to get determination to carry on, it's a little bit uphill towards the end, so it's a bit of grinding your teeth together and just finishing it off”.
The race ended by hitting mile 13.1 in Trafalgar Square, where masses of spectators crowded around Nelson’s Column to cheer on family, friends, loved ones, and strangers passing through the finish line.
Having asked Owen O’Brien what his post-half-marathon treat is he simply responded Guinness.