Sunday 13 September
Marathon day!
We got up in time to see the events before the marathon took off at 9am. There was the marathon and the half marathon that took off at 9am and there were thousands competing. It was great to be there like we were a part of it. They paraded the flags of all the nationalities taking part and they read out all the countries and there was a NZ flag for Scot – we believe he was the only one from the other side of the world because there wasn’t an Aussie flag. After the marathon started we walked up Gedimino ave for a coffee and when we were finished some of the runners were coming down this part of the course so we started cheering them on. After having competed ourselves, there is nothing nicer than people cheering you on especially if you are feeling like you are struggling, so we did a lot of this but others just stood and stared at the runners.
We went down to the square then to watch the winners come through. The first guy was a Kenyan who ran the marathon in 2 hours 25 minutes – which was 40 minutes faster than the first female over the line and about 10 minutes ahead of the second male, absolutely amazing and he didn’t even look puffed. We went back to the van for a bite for lunch and then went back to watch the start of the 10km run of which there were thousands competing as well. We took back our NZ flag with us and it was quite hilarious because whilst waiting for the 10km race to run there were lots of photographers taking pot shots of the crowd and runners etc. When they saw our flag they started taking photos of us standing at the barrier. Then one of them came over and said are you really from New Zealand or is your flag a Joke. So funny – they really didn’t believe anyone would be there from the other side of the world.
Then Scots run came up – the 4.2km run and again there were thousands running in it which was just great to see. They gave everyone participating a medal at the end which was so cool as a momento. I know Scot could have run more but I didn’t want him to push it as he has had problems with his archilies from running previously and he hasn’t been training. I cheered on from the side line whilst fighting to keep my front line spot on the barrier.
Scot’s feeling during the run – when he started to feel a bit of pain, that his was voluntary whereas the pain of the Lithuanians during the occupation was anything but and this spurred him on. Also thinking that only 5 months ago he had had part of his body removed and how awesome to be able to be participating in something like this.
They gave away free beer ( non alcoholic) at the finish which Scot snavelled a few. Once all the events were completed we went and had dinner out before heading back to the van. We tried to read as it was quite early but our power was nearly dead so it was too difficult. It will be a buggar on the road tomorrow as we will have no power in our batteries to keep the fridge cool and you can’t drive with the gas on. Our loo also is almost full so tomorrow we must find a camp ground.
