Meet some of our London Marathon fundraisers

We caught up with three of those that will be lacing up their trainers on Sunday morning. John, Catherine and Ben have all spent months preparing for the race, and have shared why they are taking on this huge challenge for Activity Alliance.

Why are you running for Activity Alliance?

John: This is my 13th London Marathon for Activity Alliance. I keep coming back for more because I totally believe in the cause and all the great work that the charity does to get all disabled people the opportunity to become more active. If you’re non-disabled, it’s so easy to take this for granted, but when faced with disability challenges, it’s really tough and I know what a difference Activity Alliance makes.

Catherine: Simply said, I have great respect for the mission of the organisation. I’ve run over 20 marathons, but have never taken on the challenge of running in support of an organisation. Running the London Marathon has been on my list for a while. I’ve considered how I can use my hobby to do good for a while. This opportunity brought the two together. It’s been a wonderful experience.

Ben: I’ve always loved being active and felt its benefits both for fitness and for mental health. It’s not right that there’s still a gap preventing some disabled people from taking part in sport and physical activity and I wanted to support Activity Alliance’s vital work tackling this gap. Having previously worked with some of the Activity Alliance team on policy and campaigning I already know about some of the great work the team do and I wanted to help ensure they continue to go from strength to strength.

How has your training been going? How have you pushed through any challenges?

John: You’d have thought that after 13 London Marathons, I’d be used to it by now, but it never get’s any easier. What really helps is calling on my experience when times get hard. The cold dark frosty mornings are the worst for me, so I really need to push myself. The training still needs to be done regardless of the weather. However, the rewards are always worth it and the experiences on the day remind you of why this is the best marathon in the world.

Catherine: Training has been terrific. I was nervous going into this cycle as a left leg injury set me back last summer. But I selected a moderate plan, stuck to my training and pushed hard where it’s made sense. Now I’m just ready to get to the starting line!

Ben: The training has been tough at times, especially finding the motivation to go out in the wet and cold. The improvements in weather have helped along with exploring the green spaces of north London and a few good podcasts. I’ve been motivated by joining with lots of people getting active together especially at events like Parkrun, a great reminder of the important work Activity Alliance does to ensure there are accessible opportunities and spaces for sport and physical activity.

What do you think crossing the finish line will feel like?

John: Crossing the line always feels special. You never want to leave the finish area and I would always recommend to anyone to savour the moment. It’s your reward for not only completing the race, but all the work that has gone into the training.

Catherine: Crossing the finish line will feel extraordinary. The London Marathon appears to have amazing energy. Crossing the finish line always signals the accomplishment of a goal, but to know I ran for a cause will make it even better.

Ben: I’m not sure how it will feel until I get there! I imagine it’ll be a mix of relief, exhaustion and elation that I’ve hopefully been able to make it through and made a difference to Activity Alliance.

Everyone at Activity Alliance would like to wish all of our runners the best of luck. The money being rasied will play a huge part in our work to ensure disabled people feel they belong in sports and activities. We will be cheering you on all the way!