Thousands achieved dreams today as the London Marathon brought together some of the most determined runners from across the world.
More than 40,000 people took on the 26.2-mile run after Lionesses Leah Williamson, Jill Scott and Ellen White got the race underway.
But one runner quickly stole the spotlight with a mad dash at the starting line.
Richard Lee-Wright’s decision to boldly sprint ahead spurred smiles across the nation as viewers – and fellow runners – marvelled at his joy.
Three-time winner of the event Paula Radcliffe noted the feat too, although she warned: ‘That guy is going to be paying for it.’
Speaking to Metro.co.uk, Richard explained the speedy start was the result of a determination to prove a friend wrong.
He said: ‘It all started about six years ago. A friend and me were watching the London Marathon and he said, obviously, that they run really fast.
‘I told him “I could lead the London Marathon” and he said there was no chance.’
Richard began what would be a gruelling six years of training to qualify to reach the front pack of runners.
He was plagued by injuries and often thought about quitting. But last year, the 38-year-old managed to make the qualifying time.
As the race started, Richard recalled the exhilaration he felt of dashing out in front of huge cheering crowds with his arm pumping the air.
He said: ‘I’d told people for years that I was going to do this and they laughed at me and didn’t believe I could do it.
‘When I put my arm in the air, that’s probably because I realised my dream had come true, and that I’d done it.
‘I had to catch the elites and squeezed to the front of them, I just kept going. If Usain Bolt had been there, I’d have gone for him.’
Richard’s joy had taken him so far that he suddenly realised he’d put ‘quite a bit of space’ between him and the elite runners.
He then slowed down and continued the race, stopping for high fives and waves along the way.
His final time stood at a very respectable 3 hours and 23 minutes.
Richard hadn’t been sure if his strong start had been captured on camera until the end of the marathon when he checked his phone.
A flurry of messages from friends and family soon flooded in.
Friend Mike Facey told Metro.co.uk: ‘He’s a top guy and always looking to make everyone and his family happy and he achieved a dream today.
‘We’ve had such a fun time watching all the highlights, hearing his hero Paula Radcliffe call him for “paying for it” which made him chuckle.’
Richard’s colleagues – the 38-year-old runs Devon-based company Unity Insights – also made sure he was up to date on the latest memes and Tweets following the impressive feat.
Still reeling with joy from his marathon experience, Richard has encouraged people to follow their dreams in any capacity – no matter how wild they may be.
‘Today has been incredible,’ he said.
‘I hadn’t been feeling very well in the morning, but then the support and atmosphere was just amazing.
‘When I got the messages from all my friends, I couldn’t believe it, I was sat there laughing to myself.
‘It created a lot of joy. Out of everything, that was really special to me, the fact it brought a smile to everyone’s faces’.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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