London Marathon 2025 - Completed!
A Huge well done to Claire for running the London Marathon to raise funds for the Heart of England Mencap customers. The temperatures on Sunday reached 20+ degrees and Claire completed the course in an incredible 5 hours.
On behalf of every one at Heart of England Mencap, a heartfelt thank you for doing this huge feat and a massive well done.
Below, Claire has graciously shared her insights and the inspiration that led her to participate in the London Marathon, 2025.
As many of you will be aware I am running the London Marathon on 27th April to raise funds for Heart of England Mencap. I won’t lie, the training for this has been incredibly tough on a number of levels. It has been physically hard, I am writing this two weeks before the marathon and my legs are aching with ever step I take, the toenails I have left are either black or yellow and I’ve developed a painful skin condition on my back. Apologies if I have shared too much but you know me by now, I’m completely transparent (for better or indeed potentially for worse in this case!). Mentally it has been hard as finding the strength to continue running when it is cold and wet, and I know that no one will know (or care!) if I go straight home and don’t complete the additional ten miles my training plan says I should but need to find the fortitude to carry on. Most difficult of all has been emotionally, when I am tired and depleted and have to find the emotional strength to stay positive and get up at 2.30am to do the necessary miles as ‘allocated’ in my marathon training plan before I leave for work.
The reason for sharing is definitely not to elicit sympathy, actually quite the opposite. The above are very privileged problems to have. Firstly, this is something that I have opted into, I have chosen to do this, in fact I went as far as to enter a ballot to gain a place. Secondly, I have access to the right running kit to make the runs as comfortable as possible, and I have gym membership so can go on the treadmill when I need to do a 3am running session. Thirdly, this is temporary, I can get home and have a warm shower, and ultimately by the evening of the 27th April it will all be over (unless I am going incredibly slowly!). The point of this narrative is to shine a light on the individuals that we support. The individuals that these funds are being raised for.
Our customers don’t opt into having the varying conditions that they have. Some have been born with these; others have been acquired since birth. Whilst there is equipment to aid individual needs, the necessary resources are often scarce or cost prohibitive. They are not immediately accessible to make experiences easily more comfortable. Finally, our customers have lifelong conditions they will still exist on the evening of the 27th April, the 28th, the 29th and so on …
This puts my afore mentioned grumbles into perspective and when I have been at my darkest points throughout my training it is our customers who have got me through. I couldn’t think of a better incentive to run a marathon and have absolutely no right to complain no matter how hard it may get. So, can I invite all those who are reading this to draw on this same inspiration when you are facing challenging times.
Every penny raised will go directly to support our customers in activities and experiences that will enable them to be empowered, to enjoy each day they spend with HoEM, and ultimately live their best lives. If you haven’t already donated and have any spare change at all contributions will be very gratefully received. If I’m going to do something as daft as run a marathon I want to raise as much money as possible for our guys.
Take care,
Claire
The current fundraising total is: £5200 (£2000 of this will go to Mencap for the balloted place and £3200 coming directly to us) and we have until 27th May to submit our final total so there is still time to donate!