I’m not sure where to start! The whole marathon experience has been a massive roller coaster, not necessarily enjoying the running, finding time to train through the winter come rain or shine, mostly starting out at 7am in ‘feels like -3’ weather, juggling it with being a mum, and working, but knowing that it was going to be worthwhile, not only for the money raised, but having run the London marathon in 2015 for CRY and absolutely loving the day that day. 

So here we are 10 years on, having watched last years marathon, feeling like it was time to do my bit again and wanting to support the charity that my husband Andy is a patron of, and the charity that has been so wonderful to our family. But my biggest motivation was to run in memory of Rob Rowan, my friend Suzanne’s husband, and a friend of Andy’s, who passed away so tragically in 2018. Suzanne works tirelessly for CRY, through Robs foundation, she really is my inspiration. 

I’m not a runner, I started with couch to 5k in September and just kept going from there with my PT and friend Tom. Tom was only intending to run with me up to 15/20k while I was training and then leave me to it, but kept on running with me, and miraculously I got in touch with CRY in March on the off chance of getting him a place after doing all the training, they had had a few injury drop outs, and Tom was in! For that I am so grateful, as I’m not sure I would have got round on Sunday without him.

To raise the sponsorship bond I had a fundraising party in March. Local businesses kindly donated raffle prizes, as did friends with their own business’s. Andy reached out to contacts and friends in the football world who donated signed memorabilia, agents who donated tickets to matches for me to auction. A friend donated the venue, a local saxophonist and singer gave their time to play, it was a real team effort with the help of my friends, family and neighbours. All in all Tom and I have raised over £9,300 with donations still coming in and my dad’s business Northriver Limited will be matching my donations. And we have raised awareness as much as we can of SADS, and the work CRY do, and we have kept Rob’s memory alive, which means so much to us.

I’m not going to say training was always fun, and for me it certainly wasn’t easy, but if you keep remembering what you are doing it for you get through it. But Marathon day was everything I hoped it would be and more. The weather was against us, it was so so hot, which I imagine most of the runners weren’t used to (I certainly wasn’t!) But the support was like nothing else I have experienced. The sun brought out the crowds. My friends and family were dotted around the course, which gave me an amazing boost. People running supported each other, strangers were carrying each other (literally) the feeling that London was one, all willing the runners on was so strong. It was so wonderful, and something I will never be able to replicate. When things got really tough, there was a stranger screaming your name in encouragement. When else does that happen in this life? Seeing people with photos of lost loved ones on their back brought me to tears, knowing that that person would be looking down on them and willing them on. As I know Rob was with me. 

I am so proud that Tom and I crossed the line together after running for 5hrs and 14 minutes, only 20 minutes slower than in 2015, which given the conditions (and being 10 years older!) I am happy with. That one was for Rob and Suzanne. I hope they are as proud as we are. 

If anyone is reading this and isn’t sure if the marathon is for them, I would say this. It’s for everyone. Do it. You will not regret it. And raising money for this wonderful charity, knowing you will change lives for the good, will make the experience even better. Thank you CRY for giving me this opportunity and for the support and encouragement over the last 8 months. See you again in another 10 years, if my feet have recovered by then!