London is famously flat, but this course has a sneaky hill near Blackheath. It’s not a mountain, but after 10 miles, it feels like Everest. Kory calls it the “Grumpy Hill.”
His strategy? He runs backwards up the hill. It confuses his legs and makes spectators laugh. He says it “tricks the lactic acid into taking a nap.”
Does it work? Who cares! It’s fun. That’s the whole point. You’ll see other runners attempt his backwards shuffle, fail, and end up in a giggling heap. Pure joy.
The Finish Line Feast
Most marathons hand you a banana and a stale bagel. Not this one. The Royal Parks Half hands you a glass of fizz (sparkling juice, but still). Kory once chugged his, did a victory lap, and then demanded a selfie with a squirrel.
He calls the post-race picnic “the second best part.” The best part? The medal. It’s huge and actually looks like a royal crest. You’ll wear it to brunch for a week.
Kory’s medal ritual: He kisses it, then uses it as a coaster. Practical and proud.
