Gloucester’s own Sir Alastair Cook was among thousands who crossed the London Marathon finish line on Sunday, joining a lineup of notable personalities in the iconic race.
The former England cricket captain shared the spotlight with celebrities such as Tilly Ramsay, “The Body Coach” Joe Wicks, Sir Anthony McCoy, Alexandra Burke, Daddy Pig, and Oscar-nominated actress Cynthia Erivo, all running under challenging but pleasant conditions with temperatures in the high teens Celsius.
BBC broadcaster Sophie Raworth and ex-British women’s tennis number one Laura Robson also completed the 26.2-mile course, showcasing impressive stamina and determination.
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Running for the Ruth Strauss Foundation, Sir Alastair completed the marathon in approximately three hours and five minutes, ranking 4,079th overall and 654th among males aged 40-44. Reflecting on his experience, he called the finish line his favorite moment, alongside the warmth of the crowd support. “Seeing my little boy Jack and my family at the 20-mile mark was special,” he said, though he joked it didn’t inspire a speed boost, as he was already spent.
When comparing marathon running to cricket, Sir Alastair offered a candid perspective: “Cricket’s easy. When you’re finished, if you’re not very good, you can just sit down. There’s no hiding place here.”
Cynthia Erivo, surpassing her personal best by finishing in about three hours and 21 minutes (down from 3:35 in 2022), shared her emotional journey. After the grueling run, the star rested briefly before speaking about a tough moment during the race when she doubted she could finish. “Then I found a little bit of strength. I’m here, and I feel really proud,” she said.
Erivo, who started her day at 5 a.m., is scheduled to perform all 23 roles in the play Dracula at the Noel Coward Theatre that evening. She noted that although she might be “a little slower than usual,” she’s eager to hit the stage. Asked about the possibility of the marathon being held over two days next year, she called it “amazing” but admitted she might be spectating rather than running.
She described running as a meditative escape, a chance to zone out and reflect. “You just get to centre yourself … think about the things you want to think about.”
Adding an element of fun, children’s TV character Daddy Pig joined Joe Wicks, aka “The Body Coach,” to cross the finish line in five hours and 51 minutes. They ran on behalf of the National Deaf Children’s Society, inspired by a Peppa Pig storyline revealing George Pig’s moderate deafness.
Wicks praised Daddy Pig’s dedication in training and his performance despite the warm weather. “It was lovely to hear kids cheering ‘Daddy Pig, give us a wave!’ The energy was contagious,” Wicks said. When asked about future companions, he humorously noted that Daddy Pig sets a high bar, though maybe Peppa might join in as she grows older.
Addressing social media speculation about the person behind the Daddy Pig costume, Wicks put rumors to rest: “Daddy Pig is a pig, and that is it. There’s no human involved.”
The London Marathon once again showcased not only athletic endurance but also the spirit of community and charity through its diverse participants.