more) and genuinely motivating (a 20-strong, uniformed gospel choir in Brooklyn). At mile 15, the Queensboro Bridge, with its mile-long incline and absence of crowd support, was a really tough physical and mental test, but runners then hit a wall

Abril Bridge (the date of the country's revolution in 1974, history buffs). Running north towards the city on the road deck of this 1.5-mile-long suspension bridge above the River Tagus must surely be one of the most spectacular starts in world running

was probably running about as fast as I could sprint. Well, thanks to the efficient wonders of the IAAF biomechanics team, I've been able to see the 100m splits for his last 1000 metres of the race. His last four 100-metre splits in 14.28, 13.75, 13.43 and 14.05