Flash quotes

On today’s race:

“It’s the first mile I’ve raced for eight years and it was really hard! I think I finished in 6:29. At my last race, I finished in six minutes, but I was a little bit younger then. I haven’t trained at all for a fast road race, so it was a little bit of a benchmark. 

“I definitely ran the last bit faster today than I ran at the end of the London Marathon this year!

“These events are fantastic. The number of people who come out and do them; I love it. More and more people running is brilliant. 

“Running in London on closed roads is a privilege; it’s just perfect – and what about the weather today? Gorgeous.

“I’m running the 10K [Vitality London 10,000] tomorrow, so this was my warm-up.”

Douglas, a sprinter and former British record holder for the 100m, was the first woman to compete in different sports at the Olympic Summer (athletics) and Winter Games in 2008 (bobsleigh). 

On today's event:

“Today is so much fun; it’s about families, trying your best, people coming out and experiencing the beautiful weather, moving their bodies, and if you can do it with family and friends then what more can you ask for? 

“Trying the Guiness World record today for step-ups in 30 seconds was as hard as I thought it was going to be. A sprinter runs for about 10 or 11 seconds, so to go for 30 seconds is a long time, but this is about doing your absolute best and I did that and had so much fun with everyone cheering me on.

“It’s so important for me that children get moving, and that everyone gets moving, regardless of age, at events like this because it builds lifelong habits, we’re talking about mental health, making sure we’re looking after ourselves for a long life. All of these things change lives, and [this event] has changed mine. 

“Coming here and being inspired by people who are doing things outside their comfort zone, but also doing it with friends and family that they might not often get to spend time with is such a special part of what this event is all about.” 

 

On his win today: 

“It’s my first time here. I’ve always wanted to come down and do it because I’ve watched it for many years. I’ve had a really funny year, with injury and lots of disruption, so I got to the end of the season didn’t race as much as I wanted to,  

“I’m relieved to take the win, because I thought I’d lost it coming into the final corner. Tom hit the front, but I was just strong enough to come past him in the spring. I race these guys a lot; they’re all super good, but I managed to just hold on today.

“It’s something different; we don’t get to run a mile very much, and even getting to run on the road is a real privilege.

“I love what Josh Kerr is doing. I’ve been out to Albuqurque a few times this year, where he trains, and when you actually get to see him training and see the mindset he has, you realise how much he’s pushing the boundaries and that pushes the boundaries for everyone else. If you want to be on the British team now, you have to be a world-beater. It’s forcing everyone to step up their game.”
 

On her win today:

“It feels amazing! It’s the first time I’ve done this race and obviously is the UK and England Championships for the mile, so it’s an added bonus to be able to take that title away today.

“The event was fun – really nice to get in the mix with the boys as well – and a really good race. There were some strong women out there today. As I said, I think it’s really helpful running with the men as well, because one of them was pacing us. It’s nice to have that camaraderie between men and women – you don’t get that often, and to have it around you really carries you through the race, rather than going solo.

“There’s been such a boom in running recently, and it’s such a positive thing. It’s great for mental and physical wellbeing and it’s how I started out as a runner, getting out for my mental health run – obviously it’s escalated quite a lot now that I’m here competing and winning. That’s why we all started: to enjoy it, and that’s the vibe around here today so it’s great to see everyone getting involved.

“Hopefully we can inspire the younger generation to keep going and keep enjoying it.”

On the event:

"I love it; to be part of sort of the next generation, be next to my boy and bring the family down.

“Tomorrow I’ll be starting the 10K, and that’s more my distance, but this is really important for the next generation just to be in this environment, enjoy it and see all the kids and the parents and the families having fun and being together and being energetic. You can’t fault it, it’s brilliant."
 

“Two years ago, I lost my little sister to breast cancer at the age of 29. I’ve pretty much been running ever since to fundraise and raise awareness against this evil disease breast cancer.

“I’ve raised just over £16,000 and so far, and in the last 18 months have completed 12 marathons, with 17 more to go. I try to do all the big ones, so I’ve done London twice and I’m doing it again in April. I do as many as I can.

“It’s really important to me that my three daughters are here today; it’s massive – not only to teach them what they’re capable of, but also to keep their Auntie’s memory alive.

“There are quite a few London Marathon Events where you can bring the kids along, and it’s massive for them; they can see what their parents achieve, they can see how everyone struggles as they come to the end of their mile, and I think it teaches them a lot.

“My advice is to get up and move your body. If you’re having a bad day, get up and move and you’ll feel better afterwards.”