Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Manchester United co-owner, participated in two different races on Sunday. Ratcliffe competed in his eighth London Marathon and had enough time to go watch his club play against Coventry for the FA Cup semifinals at Wembley on Sunday afternoon.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a Sports Fan
Ratcliffe, a United Kingdom citizen, is one of the richest men in the UK. The billionaire has elevated himself among the ranks of the richest individuals in the UK. The purchase of unloved assets has helped Ratcliffe foster a multi-billion-pound business.
Late last year, Ratcliffe agreed to purchase a 25% stake in Manchester United. The stake was worth about 1.25 billion pounds. Therefore, the billionaire has been a lover of sports, and making that purchase is a clear sign that he wants to not only watch sports on the sidelines but also be part of the decision-making process in sports.
Ratcliffe’s Impact on Sports
The billionaire is an enthusiastic runner who has competed in more than thirty marathons across the globe. As a result, Ratcliffe’s participation on Sunday was one of the many marathons he has participated in over the years. Subsequently, Ratcliffe’s participation alludes to his genuine interest in athletics.
Additionally, the British billionaire’s chemical group Ineos provided great support for Kenyan marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge in 2019, when the marathoner was set to break the two-hour mark for a marathon record. This support is also a great sign that Ratcliffe seeks to make a positive contribution to sports.
Ratcliffe’s commitment to Manchester United
The Man U co-owner finished the race at 14:33. This was a minute and fifty-five seconds earlier than last year’s trial. Despite his age, Ratcliffe seemed determined to compete and finish the race on a high note. This improvement from last year seemed to cause great delight, as observed in an interview after the race.
In the interview, the billionaire explained, “At my age, that [time] is not bad. I need to be quick; I need to be there at half-time.” The billionaire added that “there are some parallels [between football and running a marathon], I have to say, but it just requires some grit. Running a marathon after 30km is difficult.”
However, since Sir Jim Ratcliffe only had a few minutes to get to Wembley for his club’s match, he explained that, “I must leave now. I’ve got a match to get to!” The British billionaire was seen in the second half of the match engaging in a conversation with Avram Glazer, a family member who Ratcliffe purchased the club stake from.
Conclusion
The race helps show the Man U co-owner’s intentional participation in sports. Therefore, it gives many Manchester United fans hope. This includes alleviating the challenges the club has experienced in recent years due to his love for sports. Only time will tell what Ratcliffe will do for Man U.
It is imperative to understand that the billionaire’s consistent participation and support for athletes is a way of expressing that he will be the man to change the course of Man U. The billionaire has participated in over thirty marathons, which implies he has a genuine desire to improve and may use that energy to improve Man U.
More great content
Check out all the great content Total Apex Sports has to offer. Check us out on X @TotalApexSports and our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy Sports.
Faith Jepchirchir is a soccer fan from Kenya who developed an interest in the sport by playing FIFA on PlayStation. Here, Chiri brings her unique perspective to the world of sports, analyzing matches and sharing her love for the game.
