Olympic hero's marathon struggle for fitness

James Cracknell opens up

- Julia Kuttner

OLYMPIC rowing icon James Cracknell has told how he is desperate to complete the London Marathon next Sunday, if his body will allow.

The double gold medalist, 51, has been in pain after damaging tendons in his right foot last month while training for the 26.2-mile challenge.

Now after weeks of rest and recuperation, he is training again in the hope of competing.

James, who ran the marathon in 2h 43min in 2017, said: "I want to get to the start line injuryfree and I reckon I can have a good crack at going round in under three hours.

"I'm just monitoring it day by day. I did a trial five miles this morning, which was alright.

"I did the Colchester half marathon on March 17 and it was slightly sore then.