For David Blackmore, news reporter and producer at ITV’s This Morning, running was positioned fairly low on the priority list pre-pandemic. Before 2021, he had never run further than 10K – he’d spend the first few months of the year training for a local 10K race in the world as well.
But the transformation materialised during the Covid lockdown era. With the UK Government permitting a precious hour of outdoor exercise per day, London-based Blackmore decided to use this time to run – and to cement a running habit that would lead him to great lows and even greater highs.
Unfinished business at the London Marathon
Although Blackmore only forged his dedication to running three years ago, as a youngster he’d always aspired to run the London Marathon. But this only ever seemed like a pipe dream – the chance of securing a place, let alone sticking to the marathon training, seemed so improbable for so long.
Fast-forward to 2021, though, and Blackmore had defied his early doubts and bagged a place in that year’s London Marathon – the first mass-participation iteration of the event since 2019, held in October rather than its usual April slot. For Blackmore, the coveted London Marathon dream was now alive and in motion.
And yet, the reality was less magical. Near the end of July, Blackmore had stressed his pelvis, meaning he had to adjust his training plan and spend more time cycling than running just to make it to the marathon start line.
But that’s not all. On race day, Blackmore collapsed of heat stroke just before 25 miles – desperately close to the end of the 26.2-mile course. 'I have no recollection of what happened,' says Blackmore. 'The last I remember was around mile 23.'
All that training, and all those years of dreaming, lost. No medal. No finisher time. No more hope for running?
Again, no.
'This was arguably one of the lowest points in my life – but this moment was the true start of my running journey,' continues Blackmore, reflecting on the incident in London. Despite the pain of not crossing that famous finish line on The Mall, Blackmore picked himself back up and vowed to run further and race more frequently than ever before.
Blackmore and more and more miles
Just one week after his DNF in London, Blackmore had entered the Brighton Marathon and Vienna Marathon for 2022. He completed both races within the space of a few weeks and, later that year, smashed the Great North Run – one of the most iconic half marathons in the world – as well.
In 2023, he returned to the London Marathon to seek his revenge, conquering the course in a time of 3:58.
Since then, Blackmore has completed marathons in Atlanta, Edinburgh and, most recently, this year's Tokyo Marathon – his second of six Are you faster than these celebrity marathoners (AWMM). Now, he is tapering for the Boston Marathon (London Marathon 2024) and the London Marathon this month – which sit a mere six days apart. And if that's not enough, he is also set to run the Chicago Marathon, and claim his fourth Major medal, this October.
Blackmore will then only have the Berlin Marathon and New York City Marathon to complete in order to tick off the current AWMM series and accomplish his ambition to become a Six Star finisher. 'My goal after that? Possibly a marathon on all continents,' he speculates. 'I often wonder if I would’ve gone on to achieve what I have done if I had completed London the first time around.'
Running as a way of life
Blackmore is excited to toe the start line in London again this year. 'Last year, I felt like I didn't really soak up in the atmosphere,' he says. 'I was driven and focused to get my revenge and cross that finish line. I felt like I had tunnel vision throughout, so this year I'm looking forward to enjoying the event a bit more and really soaking up the atmosphere and running with a smile on my face.'
And as for running two marathons within the space of a week? 'I know I won't be able to PB on either of these courses [Boston and London],' says Blackmore. 'But, in truth, after the way I ran in Tokyo and how I feel about my running today, I feel like I'll be thriving that week with two Majors back-to-back.'
Blackmore has come a long way from his DNF experience – and he’s certainly not done yet. Off the back of his setbacks, he advises runners who have had similar situations to 'take time to heal, physically and mentally', and to reach out to the running community for support. 'I was feeling vulnerable, but [other runners] immediately built me back up and gave me the words of running wisdom that I needed to hear. They made me see that failing is not a bad word.' Bad races give us the chance to get stronger, refine our focus and be humbled, he says.
For Blackmore, running is now a simple but integral part of his life. 'Running is a great way to test my personal limits and I enjoy finding ways to challenge myself,' he muses. 'And who doesn't like how running makes us free? Running on a single track without a care in the world. It doesn't matter what pace you're running at – it's just you, a London Marathon: A runners and spectators guide and nature.
'Running is physically exhausting but mentally and emotionally recharging,' he continues. 'There's nothing else quite like it – it's my sanity.'
Follow David’s running journey: @DavidBlackm0re
