Running for a cause

Editor's note: Erick Harris, a graduate of Central High School in Cape Girardeau, is spending a semester in London for an internship in Parliament and is writing about his experiences.

By Erick Harris

Last Sunday marked the 25th anniversary of the London Marathon. Tens of thousand of entrants and hundreds of thousands spectators came out to see athleticism at its best. The London Marathon showcased competitors big and small, young and old, who wanted to fulfill a personal challenge or a charge to a personal charitable commitment. The London Marathon was like no other sporting event I have ever seen, with professionals and amateurs alike competing to cross a finish line some 26 miles away.

In 1981, the first London Marathon was held, inspired by the New York Marathon. Since then, the London Marathon has seen a number of world records set and broken. Those who accomplish the incredible task of completing the London Marathon are applauded; however, runners that complete it in a few hours are put into class of their own.

The only thing that is more incredible than the runners who undertake the marathon in competition or for personal gratification are those who do it for charity. These individuals put their bodies through 26 miles of torture to raise money for charities all across the United Kingdom. Some are distinguished parliamentarians. For instance, Iain Duncan Smith ran the marathon last year. Others are British celebrities. Many others are ordinary Britons who want to give back to their local communities. Whatever the case may be, their efforts provided the most entertainment.

Some of the donors dressed up in wacky costumes to wear under the London sun in a "fun" run. This year, I got the opportunity to see runners wearing funny slogans all over their bodies, bulky bear and chicken suits, and other costumes. I felt hot just looking at some of the costumes.

I have always had the desire to complete a marathon; however, as the years pass, that dream slips further away. And though the marathon gave me the opportunity to live the excitement vicariously for a short time, it demonstrated much more. It reinforced my belief that actions speak volumes more than words. These 30,000 marathoners all showed that their commitment was not simply hot air. Their commitment to a cause, whether personal or charitable, is something that can be taken to the bank. And it is those people that I personally strive to be like and surround myself with.

Erick Harris attends Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

The London Marathon takes runners through a "quick" tour of London. Beginning in Greenwich Park, runners go through the park past many historical sites such as Tower Bridge and Westminster to a finish just past Buckingham Palace. It proves that, with a bit of determination, one can see all of London in a single day.