This story is from the back of the pack at the Paris Olympic Marathon. Well, two stories to be precise – one from each race. In a change of tradition, the men's marathon was held first on Saturday 10 August with the women's marathon closing the athletics programme on Sunday 11 August 2024.

Neither race finished in the Olympic Stadium, although there was no shortage of drama as the athletes followed a route designed to commemorate the Women’s March on Versailles on 5 October 1789, a key moment in the French Revolution.

The hilly course, with 436m of ascent, and oppressive heat conditions caused a considerable degree of attrition in both races. Of the 81 male starters, 10 failed to finish. The most significant DNF – the first of his illustrious career – was the defending Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge who was reduced to walking at 28K and was transported to the finish.

Kipchoge remained at the finish to welcome every runner. The final man to cross the line on the blue carpet in front of the impressive Hôtel de Ville was Ser-Od Bat-Ochir in 2:42:33, representing Mongolia in his sixth Olympic Marathon, the first person ever to have run in six Olympic Marathons! The indestructible Bat-Ochir has run every Olympic Marathon since 2004 and was Mongolia's flag-bearer in London 2012.

Bat-Ochir began his international career in 2002 and has run in 10 World Championship Marathons since 2003. He has a best of 2:08:50 in 2014, plus a 1:02:10 half marathon in 2016. Look out for him competing for Mongolia in the Los Angeles Olympic Marathon in 2028 – aged 45 – and perhaps continuing to compete for Morpeth Harriers as Serod Batochir as he is known when dividing his time between the UK and Mongolia!

The Paris Olympic women's marathon saw 91 starters and 80 finishers. Among the non-finishers was Team GB's Calli Hauger-Thackery (Hallamshire Harriers) who had called it a day before 30K. Clara Evans (Pontypridd Roadents) finished 40th in 2:33:01 after a late call-up to replace the injured Charlotte Purdue (Aldershot, Farnham & District AC).

Meanwhile, another indestructible athlete slipped down the field shortly after the start. Rose Harvey (Clapham Chasers) wasn't about to let a broken leg ruin her first Olympic selection, having DNF'd in the World Championships Marathon in Eugene, USA in 2022.

Harvey felt something was wrong at two miles and ran in increasing pain for 24 miles to finish 78th in 2:51:03, nearly half an hour slower than her PB 2:23:21 in Chicago last year. Harvey has since had a scan that revealed a left femur stress fracture and is now on crutches, which might be a bit awkward when she walks down the aisle to marry her fiancé Charlie Hullier who used a cycle to support his future wife throughout her marathon ordeal.

If anyone epitomises the Corinthian Olympian spirit, it must be Rose Harvey.

Photo courtesy Rose Harvey on Instagram @roseharvey.run