Recently cryptic crossword setter John Halpern (aka Paul in The Guardian) ran the London marathon in a time of 5 hours 57 minutes, or about 13 minutes a mile. This was a marathon with a difference: at the start of every mile, John was shown a new word to clue by a volunteer, based on a grid designed by a crossword-setting colleague Richard Browne (aka Imogen) that John had not seen before. This was all about raising money for charity. With the aid of an Apple watch, John recorded his thoughts and clues on the run, with the aim to clue an entire crossword by the end of the race. It’s really hard to explain just how difficult this would be, as John had no references, lists of indicators, or anagram generating software – it all had to be done in his head. He would also have to keep a mental note of the types of clues he’d constructed to ensure a well-balanced crossword at the end. All amazingly difficult, but let’s not forget he was putting his body through physical torture at the same time!
A few concessions would have to be made. The words in the grid would be picked especially for the event, giving John the best chance of coming up with viable clues. For instance, if John didn’t know the meaning of just one of the answer words, the whole thing’s a bust. Imogen no doubt picked wisely to ensure this wouldn’t happen. The bit that’s most difficult is joining definition and wordplay as seamlessly as possible, usually only doable with lots of choices that multiple references give you. Without those, options are limited and roadblocks appear. It would be fascinating to hear John talk about what went through his head as he ran.
Read about John’s effort here.
Have a look at the actual crossword here.
Sneak a look at the blog of the crossword here.
To complete the picture, John’s fundraising page is here.
| Across | Answers and Clues | Explanations |
| 1 | ARCHER | |
| Missile launcher decapitated person on parade? (6) | M(ARCHER) | |
| 4 | OPERETTA | |
| Musical drama’s toe-tapper not usually played without piano accompaniment (8) | Anagram of TOE TAPPER minus P | |
| 10 | PROXIMATE | |
| Nearest ox captured by man, for example (9) | OX inside PRIMATE | |
| 11 | FINER | |
| Penalty imposed for doing something wrong and right could be better (5) | FINE + R | |
| 12 | NUPTIAL | |
| Wedding finished in translation of Latin (7) | UP inside anagram of LATIN | |
| 13 | OVERATE | |
| Consumed too much time in changing vote (7) | ERA inside anagram of VOTE | |
| 14 | INDIA | |
| Country concerned with recalled relief money (5) | IN + (AID reversed) | |
| 15 | WITHDREW | |
| Funny person cut along sides of drive and stepped back (8) | WIT + (HEW outside DR) | |
| 18 | ATTENDEE | |
| One who turns up at tee checking target (8) | AT + (TEE outside END) | |
| 20 | SPACE | |
| Room’s small step (5) | S + PACE | |
| 23 | PLANTER | |
| Grower’s scheme concluded by territory (7) | PLAN + TER | |
| 25 | EYESORE | |
| State finally agreed valuable rock could be a blot on the landscape (7) | STAT(E) + YES + ORE | |
| 26 | UNITE | |
| Link a number of fun items (5) | fUN ITEms | |
| 27 | UNLEASHED | |
| Uncle losing cool, primarily with a cast, let loose (9) | UNCLE minus C + A + SHED | |
| 28 | EYESHADE | |
| Members of progressive Yes had enjoyed peak? (8) | progressivE YES HAD Enjoyed | |
| 29 | MOORED | |
| Low cherry, for example, is tied up (6) | MOO + RED | |
| Down | Answers and Clues | Explanations |
| 1 | APPENDIX | |
| A paper’s original pictures encapsulating death in supplement (8) | A + (P)APER + (PIX outside END) | |
| 2 | CHOPPED | |
| Got rid of cold and jumped about (7) | C + HOPPED | |
| 3 | ELIMINATE | |
| Lie upset friend swallowing popular drop (9) | Anagram of LIE + (MATE outside IN) | |
| 5 | PEER OF THE REALM | |
| Lord’s number one returned for those people holding true (4,2,3,5) | PEE + (FOR reversed) + (THEM outside REAL) | |
| 6 | RIFLE | |
| General carrying large gun (5) | RIFE outside L | |
| 7 | TINWARE | |
| Metal objects made of tungsten are filed under “T” (7) | (IN + W + ARE) after T | |
| 8 | AGREED | |
| A mortal sin is OK (6) | A + GREED | |
| 9 | HALLOWED GROUND | |
| Wells in a ring bordering sanctioned sacred place (8,6) | (HG + ROUND) outside ALLOWED | |
| 16 | DESPERADO | |
| Wild ruffian speared crooked cheat (9) | Anagram of SPEARED + DO | |
| 17 | DEFENDED | |
| Justified government employee rolled over (8) | FED reversed + ENDED | |
| 19 | TEATIME | |
| Nipple that is primed with milk, primarily in feeding period (7) | (TEAT + IE) outside (M)ILK | |
| 21 | ANOTHER | |
| A second not grabbed by a female (7) | NOT inside (A + HER) | |
| 22 | SPRUCE | |
| Well-dressed timber (6) | Double Definition | |
| 24 | TEETH | |
| Golfer’s equipment reduced the power (5) | TEE + TH(E) |
I have managed a few of Paul’s crosswords with difficulty, and without the compulsion to continue to follow him.
However I have a high regard for cryptic setters. It is hard enough to set a viable clue for one word in isolation. To set a whole puzzle, retaining the balance of clue types, confirming definitions, considering level of difficulty, meeting the experience of solvers, takes great skill, and mastery of the language. To do it while putting one foot in front of the other for 26 miles is amazing.
I made the mistake of looking at the puzzle, then the blog. Many bloggers give the answers for what are probably the most challenging clues. I have put Paul aside to do on my coach trip later this week, so the blogs disappear into my forgettory.
Thanks for the links David