London Marathon final finisher says race was a huge privilege

Clair Roberts, a runner from Milton Keynes, proudly completed the London Marathon, finishing in last place with a time of 12 hours and 16 minutes. Despite crossing the finish line just before midnight at an alternative endpoint in St James’s Park designated for those exceeding eight hours, she described the experience as a “huge privilege.” For Clair, the race was not only a physical challenge but also a deeply personal journey, as she raised nearly £2,000 for the Samaritans, a suicide prevention charity that played a vital role in her recovery during a particularly difficult period in her life.

At 35, Clair has been a dedicated volunteer for the Samaritans since the pandemic, answering calls from individuals in crisis. She credits the organization with saving her from darker thoughts seven years ago. “They saved me from myself,” she shared, highlighting the impact of “one phone call” during her darkest moments. Preparing for the marathon was far from easy. Clair struggled with injuries and a virus leading up to the race, making race day exceptionally tough. Nonetheless, her determination remained unwavering. “I kept thinking, if I could get through that dark period in my life, I could get through this,” she reflected, emphasizing her desire to inspire others by showing that hope is always possible.

Finishing after the main event culminated at The Mall, Clair crossed the secondary finish line in St James’s Park, supported along the way by a group of dedicated tailwalkers. These volunteers accompany runners who fall behind the eight-hour cutoff, offering guidance and companionship as roads reopen and the route shifts to pavements. Jo Gennari, who helped establish the tailwalker team following a difficult marathon experience as a pacer in 2019, described the honor of leading the group. “Their grit and determination and the stories they tell about why they are participating inspire us all to keep coming back,” she said, acknowledging the resilience of those completing the race’s longest routes.

The focus on supporting slower runners extends beyond individual volunteers. Shreena Kotecha, who ran the marathon in just over eight hours in 2022, founded Team Finish Together to enhance the experience for those at the back of the pack, motivated by her disappointment over dwindling crowd support near the race’s end. She emphasized the importance of celebrating these finishers, calling the marathon “about more than just speed; it’s about courage, community, and achieving something extraordinary together.” Echoing this spirit, Sonya Trivedy, Samaritans’ executive director of external engagement, praised Clair as an inspiration both on and off the course. “When it comes to something as amazing as completing a marathon, you don’t finish last, you just get to celebrate the achievement for longer,” she said

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