The real life bubble

In my job I've the privilege of witnessing firsthand the transformative power of sports events on a fairly regular basis. I often travel home buzzing from the athletic prowess I’ve seen but more often it’s the event’s impact as catalyst for individual and societal change that sticks.

It's tempting to view these experiences as isolated incidents, carefully crafted and contained within the confines of the event itself. In fact, I’ve often reiterated the sentiment; there’s a line I’ve said in every race briefing since 2019: “Over the next five days, embrace the bubble of a multi-stage race. Embrace the bubble and it will embrace you.”.

However, a recent panel discussion at an Ultra X film evening challenged my perspective. One of the speakers, Sam King, made a thought-provoking observation: his observation was that rather than being mere escapism, our events bring out real life. Sam's insight forced me to reconsider the notion that the event is a temporary bubble, suggesting instead that it's the outside world that distorts reality, and it's only within these environments that we truly experience life as it should be lived.

It just so happened that on the 21st of last month after the film screening I was fortunate enough to experience two events which made me particularly proud to call London home. Each event not only filled me with positivity and inspiration but also reinforced the sense of community that, in experiencing the event(s), I had been a part of.

The proximity of these events again prompted me to ponder on the repercussions certain gatherings can have. Events possess a unique ability, when done correctly, to unify and in a world where we are increasingly searching for purpose and higher meaning I believe they’ve got a hugely important role to play.

The London Marathon was the first event on the 21st. Something that stands as a beacon of diversity, inclusivity, and the resilient human spirit. From seasoned athletes to novice runners, 50,000+ individuals from all walks of life converge with a shared ambition – to push personal boundaries and inspire one another towards that one finish line. The city stands behind those who take it on, lining the streets,

The second event was a fundraiser event in aid of the charity Medical Life Lines Ukraine; a concert which showcased some phenomenal Ukrainian musicians that had found themselves living in the Putney area. The organising committee, a group of local volunteers had pulled together a venue, a schedule and importantly a church full of people that were willing to support the cause. To date this group has managed to send 57 ambulances from the UK to Ukraine, several generators and many more essential supplies – a quite unbelievable achievement that probably deserves more accolade.

Despite the differing scales of these events, they shared a common thread: the power to unite and effect positive societal change. Both served as reminders of the potential of purpose-driven endeavors to transcend individual achievements and contribute to a more compassionate society.

In experiencing each event, I witnessed the ripple effect of individual achievement on a collective scale. It became evident that these gatherings were more than just moments of excitement or entertainment; they were environments that allowed the best of humanity to flourish—showcasing our capacity for unity, compassion, and collective action.

So, perhaps events like the London Marathon and the fundraiser are not just temporary bubbles of camaraderie and inspiration, but rather windows into what our world could be—a world where people from diverse backgrounds come together, driven by common goals and values, to create positive change. As we continue to participate in and support such events, may we remember the profound impact they can have, not only on us as individuals but on the communities and societies we are part of. As the great man Nelson Mandela once said… "Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does."