Imran Khan runs for Imran Khan

Only in October 2010, five months ago I had a 3 hour operation on my ankle, and had come off the crutches in January 2011 and the big run was on 17 April. You spend your life watching the action but the London Marathon is one of the times you can be part of the action. I nearly collapsed at mile 12, my left knee and right ankle gave way, the knee locked and I could not bend my leg, St john’s ambulance told me that I had to stop and could go back in the coach, I sat on a chair, ice packed myself with tears in my eyes. I hobbled to mile 14 and now I was again in full flow, this time more of a paced walk than a jog.

Each mile seemed an age, the sun blazing temperatures in the 19’s and 20’s, Legs cramped, a crazy smile, as I had lost all sense and could see insanity crawl into me, this was my time to grin and bear the pain of this marathon, I had good intentions, I have never suffered this much pain in my life.

I got to Big Ben and this was it I was there only a matter of a few 100 yards, I tried running it, but my legs did not comprehend, I could not run, it was not possible to move my legs. I was running the Marathon out of choice, think of those, who have none, walking with pales of water (some the same distances). The weak keep going and going, the helpless still in need, yet the world goes on…

I crossed the finish line with blistered feet nearly 19 minutes outside my target time. But, you know, there’s nothing like a medal to cheer you up!

Imran Khan Hussain