More than 40,000 people will take to the streets today for the London Marathon. And, much as she’d love to be among them, Gabby Logan says bringing their sterling efforts to the screen is too much of a pull.
“I’ve done half-marathons and I love to mix up my training, with weights and yoga as well as running and tennis,” Gabby, who is hosting the BBC’s TV coverage, told P.S.
“Every year I think, ‘I want to run this’ but then when I am holding the microphone I think, ‘I don’t want to stop presenting this’.
“I have never met anyone who has run the marathon who hasn’t said it changed their life.
“There is a camaraderie on the day that truly lifts the spirit and makes you forget the rubbish and nonsense that goes on in our crazy planet.
“Presenting the Marathon is one of the best days of the year.
“It’s the most incredibly inspiring event. To see finishers of all shapes and sizes, running for a multitude of reasons brings me to tears.”
Last year’s runners helped raise £63.7 million for charity and there are always a host of remarkable stories from those taking part.
They are often full of emotion and Gabby says she has to be prepared lest she is seen crying in front of the cameras.
“Watching all their videos on the Saturday is essential as I would be in tears live on air if I only saw them for the first time on the day.
“I’m blown away every year.”
The broadcast is a six-hour marathon and Gabby insists it’s a massive team effort.
“The logistics and the challenges are huge and the team are amazing,” she says.
“Every year they deliver a top-class production, so to be the one allowed to deliver the words and tell the stories with our commentary team is humbling.”
Among the men’s elite field this year will be Olympic legend Sir Mo Farah, aiming to win the race for the first time.
The women’s race is set to be fiercely contested as three-time winner Mary Keitany aims to dethrone defending champion Vivian Cheruiyot.
And wheelchair athlete David Weir competes for an incredible 20th time, aiming to extend his record number of victories to nine.
Today’s broadcast kicks off a busy sporting spell for Gabby.
“2019 is a great year for women’s sport and I am delighted that I will be hosting the Women’s World Cup in France with the BBC,” she added.
The London Marathon, BBC1 and BBC2, today, from 8.30am
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe