Marathon runner Geoff Wightman finished sixth in the 1990 European Championships. His wife competed in the Olympic marathon and placed 12th in Seoul in 1998. The identical twin of his wife, who was also an Olympian, had placed third in the 1990 Commonwealth Games.
At the athletics world championships on Tuesday, Geoff was the stadium announcer and sat at the microphone. Susan nee Tooby, his wife, was standing in the stands diagonally across from the finish line. The 1500-meter race had started. Running was Jake, his kid.
Near the end of the race, Jake unexpectedly began to draw away, passing the reigning champion and going around Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who had won the gold medal at the Olympics. Jake then seized the inside lane and continued to go in front. The audience exhales. He naturally connects with his last kick, but he is unable to catch Jake. This was not expected to occur.
At the world championships in athletics on Tuesday, Geoff was the stadium announcer and sat at the microphone. In the bleachers, diagonally across from the finish line, sat his wife, Susan nee Tooby. 1500 metres had already been run. Jake, his son, was making a dash.
Jake began to abruptly pull away at the conclusion of the race, passing the reigning champion and going around Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who had won the gold medal at the Olympics. Jake then seized the inside lane and continued to lead the race. The audience lets out a gasp. His final kick naturally connects, but he is unable to grab Jake. Not expecting this, it did not occur.
The camera also pans to Geoff as Jake revels in the stunning defeat. Before eventually letting out a small sigh of pride, he says, “I have to tell you why the camera is on me.” It’s my son, here. I instruct him. He is the world champion, as well!
Jake gets up from the ground, scans the area, spots his mother, and sprints up the steps. His mother cheered and raised her arms as he got close to the finish line. She would now give her youngster a hug. He soon caught sight of Geoff sprinting up the steps. The Olympic athletes’ family, huddled in happiness.
Samuel, his other son and Jake’s twin (wow, more twins in the family), had awoken at 3:30 a.m.
