Olympic champion Alex Yee reveals surprising way his 93-year-old grandfather has inspired him ahead of his London Marathon debut

• Triathlon champion Yee has switched sports to make London Marathon debut
• The 27-year-old is hopeful of completing the 26.2-mile run in under 2hr 10min

By DAVID COVERDALE

Alex Yee admits he is taking inspiration from his 93-year-old grandfather as he gets ready to run his first London Marathon on Sunday.

The Olympic triathlon champion has switched sports to make his debut over the 26.2-mile distance, which he hopes to complete in under 2hr 10min.

And as part of his build-up to the marathon, Yee joined his grandad Albert on his weekly parkrun last month, completing the 5km course in Bromley alongside him in 55min 17sec.

‘He is a big inspiration,’ says the 27-year-old Team GB star. ‘He said to me when we were running, “If I die running, I’ll be happy”, which shows how much running means to him. Parkrun has given him that zest for life, which is really nice.

‘I don’t know whereabouts he will be on the course on Sunday, but I’d love it to be at the finish so we can have a hug.’

Yee is actually one of the last members of his family to run a marathon, with Albert, his other grandfather David, and his parents Ron and Emma all completing one in the past.

Alex Yee says he is taking inspiration from his grandfather (left) ahead of the London Marathon

The Olympic triathlon champion has switched sports to make London Marathon debut

Yee is one of the last members of his family to run a marathon, with Albert, his other grandfather David, and his parents Ron and Emma all completing one in the past

‘I’d love to have the fastest time in the family at some point!’ jokes Yee. ‘It’s something like 3hr 50min at the moment, so fingers crossed it goes to plan!’ 

Paula Radcliffe, the three-time London Marathon winner and British record holder, told Mail Sport last week that Yee could actually finish in the top 10 on Sunday.

‘That’s pretty mad,’ he says in response. ‘This is the best marathon field that I’ve ever seen assembled in my lifetime. Just to be able to line-up next to those guys, it’s pretty surreal.’

The line-up includes the defending champion Alexander Mutiso Munyao and Olympic gold medallist Tamirat Tola.

Jacob Kiplimo, who smashed the half-marathon world record in February, and Sabastian Sawe, who ran the fastest-ever debut marathon in December, will make their first appearances in London.

Eliud Kipchoge, the two-time Olympic champion and Yee’s hero, is also returning to the race he has won a record four times.

‘I’ve had a few WhatsApps from him, which has been pretty cool,’ admits Yee. ‘I’m looking forward to meeting him after the race.’

Further ahead, Yee plans to return to triathlon next year. But he believes his marathon experience will prove invaluable in his quest to defend his Olympic title in Los Angeles in 2028.

Paula Radcliffe told Mail Sport last week that Yee could actually finish in the top 10 on Sunday

Eliud Kipchoge, the two-time Olympic champion and Yee’s hero, is also returning to the race

‘I’ve had five years of working on my swim and my bike to get to a level, now I have had an opportunity to work on my run,’ he adds. 

‘This has been a great thing for me to be able to do to then come back into triathlon and use those learnings and get better.

‘I knew I couldn’t do the same thing and expect the same outcome for the next four years. It’s scary just flat lining.

‘I wanted to do it in a fun and unique way and the London Marathon is something I’ve always wanted to do.’

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Olympic champion Alex Yee reveals surprising way his 93-year-old grandfather has inspired him ahead of his London Marathon debut

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