London Marathon 2025

A personal journey

〰️Stay grounded and sane support courtesy of our sponsors Aurora Legal ~~

A personal journey 〰️Stay grounded and sane support courtesy of our sponsors Aurora Legal ~~

The London Marathon is undeniably the greatest race of the world.  In 2025 a record breaking £1.1m people entered the ballot for the sheer pleasure of taking on 26.2 miles.  It’s renowned for raising huge amounts of money for charity.  So, if you just want to run it for the experience, its difficult, if not almost impossible to do so.

Each year, runner friends “enter the ballot”, decide whether their odds of getting in might increase by paying for another running top, and await that disappointing email that says you’ve been unsuccessful.  In June 2024 feeling battered having taken on and recovering from the beast that was Hangers Way 50k (ridiculous elevation and trail) I actually got the congratulations email – I was in.

I convinced myself that it was the hangover of Hangers Way that was making me feel less than excited of taking on the challenge that is the London Marathon. The ironic truth was I had already committed to paper why everyone should try an Ultra as it was way easier than a marathon. Yep, I was still terrified of running an actual road marathon.

By the New Year, I could no longer politely ignore the fact that I had a place in the London Marathon, and whilst I was terrified and rather I hadn’t, I felt guilty that others would have bitten my hand off for that place. 

Work got particularly challenging, and I was plagued with self-doubt, too busy to train, injury niggles etc.  Nothing was right, let alone on track, and I pretty much spent 4 months not knowing whether I had it in me to get to the start line.  In the final weeks I scaled back, did nothing, tried running, felt awful, and deliberated deferring.  I was worried that I was too injured and unprepared but couldn’t face deferring with the prospect of doing it all again next year and it still not feeling right.  

So in the end I went into complete rest and recovery with a view of just giving it a go.

Even the rest and recovery phase of a family walking holiday conspired against me as I tripped and fell hard on some stones bruising my knees again!  But I got to the start line, knowing it was going to be warm and not really knowing how I would fair. 

Marathon and Ultra runners talk about the Taper Tantrums in that taper period, but I think those final weeks of doing absolutely nothing was good for me.  By Saturday night I felt ready to just get out there and get on with it, despite the nerves and thinking I hadn’t done enough in training.

In the prep, even the “getting there” felt too overwhelmingly stressful. I had been put in a randomly early wave and the first train was not going to get me where I needed to be on time.  Despite a sardine train from London Waterloo East to Blackheath, it was fine, everyone was in good spirits.  Once in Blackheath in my designated area I entered the 30 min queue for the Portaloo’s, chatted to some Americans over for the race and did lots of English chat about how hot it was already.  I made it to my wave and suddenly I was there on Blackheath and about to start.

Everyone says it’s amazing, but nothing can prepare you for the crowds and atmosphere.  I mean seriously, everyone out there supporting, shouting, singing, cheering, bringing ice pops, oranges, sweets and anything a runner could need should get their own medal for the day – you are all awesome. Working in London I know much of it well, seeing it on Marathon day, it looks and feels different, commuter spaces are filled with locals, friends, and supporters. Every single person there whether running or supporting is just cheering you on to succeed.

The crowds, music and noise were uplifting, but at times a bit overwhelming.  How would I spot my husband, family and friends?  In the final miles the need to concentrate to avoid tripping or falling became paramount. I needed to keep checking in with myself, am I hydrating, do I need to fuel, I feel hot and spaced out, is it tiredness or something more I need to worry about?

There were some difficult memories.  It was very hot and seeing fellow runners fall by the wayside and the medics being overstretched was emotional and difficult.  Never underestimate the challenge of 26.2 miles. There were also lots of lovely and funny memories – like the sticky streets after the Lucozade cups had been passed out, and the various spectator signs.

I did manage to spot and plant some sweaty hugs on my husband, daughter and friends. My apologies to the runners I nearly tripped up stopping and double backing on myself to do so!

Everyone’s race experience is different. As I suspected, the road Marathon is a whole different ball game, so what I have I learnt?  I’ve learnt to listen to my body, in training and on the day, know when things aren’t right, ignore the pressure and rest or adapt. Run your race, no one else matters. You are stronger than you think, believe in yourself and remember why you’re there. It isn’t for the time or anyone else, its just for you – whatever “for you” means.  For me, it was to just do it. Sounds basic, but by just doing it I was in awe of maybe just how strong I am, and what is possible if I believe in myself and give it a whirl – who would know?  Apparently only around 0.5% of the population have ever run a marathon.  I’ll take being in the top 0.5%.

Next time you get out there - whether you’re doing Park Run, your next race, or just getting out there, don’t forget to bask in the awe that is you.  You are amazing – give yourself some kudos.

A personal tale from your Treasurer, Emma Roberts, and in respect of anyone who has ever conquered 26.2 miles