John Barnes, the former England international footballer, will be a familiar face at this year’s London Marathon. As 56,000 runners push through the grueling 26.2-mile course, Barnes will be stationed at mile 23, handing out Lucozade bottles to provide a much-needed boost to exhausted participants. With the marathon set to break the world record for the most finishers, Barnes is excited to be a part of such a special day, particularly since his former club, Liverpool, is on the verge of clinching the Premier League title.
Barnes’ involvement in the London Marathon has personal significance, as he has been associated with Lucozade for over two decades. He recalls his memorable 1991 advertisement with the brand, where he portrayed a quirky “mad scientist” figure, complete with oversized glasses and a straw, promoting the drink’s ability to quench thirst fast. While that ad is long gone, Barnes says that people still approach him on the street, quoting the iconic line. It’s clear that his association with the brand, now spanning more than 30 years, has left a lasting impression on fans.
Despite his enthusiasm for the event, Barnes admits that he harbors a small regret—he wishes he could be out there running the marathon himself. Reflecting on his younger days at Watford, where he was known for his long-distance running ability, he acknowledges that it would have been a fulfilling personal challenge to take on a marathon. However, he also realizes that those days are behind him.
Barnes is also keenly aware of the significant rise in running’s popularity, especially among women. According to recent data from Sport England, nearly 350,000 more adults took up running between 2023 and 2024, with the vast majority of them being women. Barnes attributes much of this surge to the influence of social media, which has helped make running more accessible, organized, and inclusive. “People have always been running, but it has made it more organized and inclusive,” he notes, recognizing the role that digital platforms play in encouraging participation.
Once Barnes has completed his marathon duties, he plans to spend the rest of his Sunday watching Liverpool in their final push for the Premier League title. The team only needs to secure at least one point from their home match against Tottenham to clinch the title, marking a significant achievement for the club. Barnes is particularly impressed by Liverpool’s consistency this season, which has seen them maintain an exceptional level of performance despite tough competition from clubs like Bournemouth, Fulham, and Brighton.
Reflecting on his own experiences with Liverpool, Barnes compares the current team to the legendary 1987-88 title-winning side, which only lost two league games throughout the season. “Any Liverpool team that has won the league is probably similar in quality,” he says. When asked how the current stars like Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold would fare against his generation of players, Barnes playfully suggests that modern rules would favor the current squad, while his own era’s tougher style of play would give his team the edge.
Barnes also takes a moment to pay tribute to his favorite player, Glenn Hoddle, whose technical skills he believes would make him the best player in the world today, given the modern game’s less physical nature. Back in the day, skilled players like Hoddle had to contend with rough challenges, but Barnes admires the artistry and finesse that the game now allows.
As the interview draws to a close, Barnes shares a cheeky reminiscence from his playing days, recalling how, in the old “drinking days,” he and his teammates would sometimes mix Lucozade with a little something extra. A twinkle in his eye suggests that, while times have changed, his playful spirit remains the same.
