Competing in no less than his 5th consecutive Olympics, lifetime member Serod Al-Batochir completed the Men’s Marathon on Saturday morning in 71st place in a time of 2 hours 43 minutes 32 seconds.
Serod – or Ziggy to his many friends in the club – had in fact led the race for the first two miles, perhaps determined to put a Mongolian vest in front of the cameras and also to celebrate what will probably be his last Olympic outing, but clearly struggled after half way and was in fact the last athlete to finish, although finish he was clearly determined to do so.
Now 42 years of age, his time is a long way off his recent best outings, but his achievement in taking part in no less than five consecutive Olympics, and in such a tough event, remains outstanding and is unlikely, one imagines, ever to be surpassed.
Serod – or Ziggy to his many friends in the club – had in fact led the race for the first two miles, perhaps determined to put a Mongolian vest in front of the cameras and also to celebrate what will probably be his last Olympic outing, but clearly struggled after half way and was in fact the last athlete to finish, although finish he was clearly determined to do so.
Now 42 years of age, his time is a long way off his recent best outings, but his achievement in taking part in no less than five consecutive Olympics, and in such a tough event, remains outstanding and is unlikely, one imagines, ever to be surpassed.