SOUTAR REVEALS LONDON MARATHON HELL AFTER BARNEY TRIUMPH

ALAN SOUTAR revealed he could ‘hardly walk’ after the London Marathon — but still could not afford to miss ProTour events.

The Scot produced a superb 6-2 win over Raymond van Barneveld to reach round two of the Austrian Darts Open. 

Soutar, 47, has made a solid start to the 2026 season after reaching the final of Players Championship Seven and the quarter-finals at Event Five. 

But Soots also earned praise away from the oche after raising £17,000 for Guide Dogs UK by competing in the London Marathon. 

The world No.52 then returned to action at Players Championship 11 and 12 just days later despite still being in agony. 

He said: “I think I was more nervous playing Barney than I was running the London Marathon, 100 per cent.  

“He’s a legend and I could feel that up there myself.  

“When he’s struggling, we all know he’s struggling as well, so you kind of feel sorry for him — but you have to put that to the back of your head and try to win the match. 

“It’s very easy because I’m the fittest darts player on the planet. I did it for Guide Dogs UK. 

“Myself and Amanda, my partner, train the dogs so that people who are less fortunate, maybe with sight loss, can lead an independent life. 

“We raised almost £17,000 for Guide Dogs, so that was the whole motivation. When it got hard, around 21 miles in, that’s what was in my head — we were doing it for other people. 

“Honestly, I could hardly walk. I had sore legs, sore feet, and I was dreading a bounce-out because I’d have to bend down to pick the dart up and then I’d get cramp in my legs. 

“Because of where I am in the rankings, I have to attend all the ProTours. I don’t have the luxury of missing any, so I was never not going to go.  

“I’ve got a strong head, a strong mind and a strong body, so I can push through the pain and do what I need to do for my family and for my PDC darts career.” 

Despite the gruelling schedule, Soutar is pleased with his form during the opening months of the campaign and feels in a strong position for the major events later in the year. 

He added: “Proud and happy. I’m in all the right places for Ally Pally and the Players Championship Finals, but the Euro Tour is amazing and that’s where I want to be. 

“The experience you get on these stages in Germany, Austria and Belgium is so vital for the bigger tournaments. 

“That atmosphere in there was incredible. The crowd were amazing and when Mensur is playing, it’s crazy.” 

Soutar revealed he is preparing for life after the fire service and has already launched a new business venture. 

He said: “No, I can do more and I’m going to do more. You’ll find out very soon. 

“I’ve got 18 months left in the fire service and I’ve started a new company, so I’m going to do even more than I’ve already done. 

“I’m going to continue with it and hopefully get more PDC players involved in things like the London Marathon or charity work. 

“Watch this space.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.