Maratoneta con Autista

Sarà che prendere i mezzi pubblici a Roma è assimilabile a uno sport di resistenza (fisica e mentale, LEGGI QUI), ma l'autobus per finire la maratona... NON CI POSSO CREDERE!!! Saluti Decoubertiniani da un Maratoneta (Roma 1997), Rex

PS: "Remember, your worst run is always 100% better than the person who never tries." 

 U.K. Marathoner Hits Wall, Hops Bus, Finishes 3rd

a marathoner in Northumberland who quit his race 20 miles in, hopped a bus to the finish area, then apparently got his second wind and skulked off the bus to cross the line in third place.

Man, what is this? Wacky English Running News week?
Hot on the heels of our previous story — about a man who "accidentally" ran a half-marathon Sunday in Swindon, England — comes news of a marathoner in Northumberland who quit his race 20 miles in, hopped a bus to the finish area, then apparently got his second wind and skulked off the bus to cross the line in third place.
Bollocks, you say? No! Not bollocks!

From an article on dailymail.co.uk:

Rob Sloan, 31, bailed out at the 20-mile mark of Sunday's Salomon Kielder Marathon in Northumberland because he was too tired to keep running.
But rather than head off home, he hopped on the free spectators' bus and jumped off just before the end of the race.
He then emerged from a wooded section close to the finish to rejoin the race and crossed the line in the bronze medal position.
Mr Sloan was seen boasting to reporters minutes later and telling them how 'absolutely, unbelievably tough' the race was.

If you're anything like me, your brain is probably TEEMING with questions right about now. Perhaps I can help.
Q: Race officials disqualified this bloke, right?
A: They did. He finally fessed up.
Did the rightful third-place finisher get his due?
Yes. Steven Cairns, of Peebles, Scotland, ultimately was awarded the prize for third place. Which we assume was a jar of marmalade or a pot of clotted cream or a lovely assortment of teas. Something like that.

Did the overall winner of the marathon have an amusingly apt name?
Yes! According to the article, "Cumbrian fireman Ricky Lightfoot" won the race, in 2:35:24.
Cumbrian?
That's right.
How long does the reporter make it before hauling out the Rosie Ruiz comparisons — one paragraph? Two?
Would you believe the story doesn't mention Rosie Ruiz even once?
Go on! Pull the other one!
No, really. I was gobsmacked, too.
Swindon, Northumberland, Peebles… Why do British place names always sound so… British?
I've wondered that myself, love. Dunno. Funny, innit?
Can we please stop using English lingo now?
Yes.