Running for more than miles 🏃‍♂️

Tom Brown

What was running the London Marathon like?

“It was incredible! I have never experienced an atmosphere like it. People shouting your name pushing you on, gives you the strength and determination that was needed! I didn’t have a time in mind, as it was my first marathon, but it’s definitely not my last!”

What was your highlight of the day and your biggest challenge?

“The highlight for me was running over Tower Bridge. I’d seen videos on social media, but that didn’t do it justice. It was incredible. Seeing my fiancée and family at the halfway point spurred me on even more.”

What would you say to anyone thinking of running the London Marathon for World Horse Welfare next year?

“If anyone ever gets the chance to run the London Marathon, I strongly advise them to do it! I’ve been very well supported by World Horse Welfare which I am very grateful for!”

Chloe Lemieux

What was running the London Marathon like?

“It was an incredible experience – truly unlike anything I’ve ever done before. From start to finish, it felt both inspiring and emotional. You’re surrounded by thousands of people, each with their own story and motivation for being there, and that really stays with you. Seeing runners supporting one another, as well as the incredible efforts people go through for their chosen causes, creates such a powerful atmosphere. It’s more than just a race – it’s a shared experience that brings out the very best in people.”

Tell us a bit about the atmosphere on the day?

“The atmosphere was absolutely amazing. There were huge crowds lining the entire route, and I genuinely don’t think there was a single stretch of the course without people cheering. The energy they bring is incredible—it lifts you up when you need it most and keeps you moving forward. Whether it was music, signs, or just people shouting encouragement, it felt like the whole city had come out to support the runners, which made such a difference throughout the race.”

What was your highlight of the day?

“The highlight was definitely crossing the finish line. After all the months of training, early mornings, and tough runs, that moment makes everything worth it. There’s a huge sense of achievement and relief all at once, and it’s quite emotional knowing you’ve completed something so challenging. It’s a moment I’ll never forget.”

What was your biggest challenge?

“My biggest challenge came around the 30k mark when I hit “the wall.” It’s exactly as tough as people say – both physically and mentally. Everything starts to feel a lot harder, and you really have to dig deep to keep going. What helped me push through was the incredible support from the crowds. Their encouragement gave me the boost I needed to keep putting one foot in front of the other and make it to the finish.”

Would you run another Marathon?

“During the final stages of training, I was convinced I never wanted to run again – it’s tough and demanding, and there are definitely moments where you question why you signed up! But after experiencing the marathon itself, I’ve completely changed my perspective. It was such an amazing and rewarding experience that I would definitely consider doing another one in the future.”

What would you say to anyone thinking of running the London Marathon for World Horse Welfare next year—and when should they start training?!

“I would absolutely recommend running for World Horse Welfare. They’re an incredible charity, and it feels so rewarding to be able to give back to the animals that mean so much to me. Knowing you’re running for a cause like that adds an extra layer of motivation throughout both training and race day.

“In terms of preparation, I followed a 16-week training plan and felt happy with how it went overall. However, I did deal with a few injuries along the way, so if you’re a first-timer, it’s worth keeping that in mind—building up gradually and allowing enough time to train properly can really help reduce that risk.”

Freya Donovan

What was running the London Marathon like?

“Running the London Marathon was a very surreal experience. It was fun, energetic, challenging and tiring! It was a day full of emotions and an experience I’ll never forget! The first half was steady and I was feeling good. The second half was tough, I was feeling the pain, but the crowds really push you through. As someone who hadn’t run before, and struggled with training, I was so happy to cross the finish line for the horses!”

Tell us a bit about the atmosphere on the day?

“The atmosphere was incredible! The energy was contagious from start to finish. There was a real mix of people which was so lovely to see. Listening to the stories of those running, and the reasons why, was so touching. The number of supporters, cheering, music, signs, and free snacks all helped me reach the finish line.”

What was your highlight of the day and your biggest challenge?

“The highlight of my day would probably be getting over taken by someone dressed as a Radox bottle but aside from that, just the kindness of everyone. My biggest challenge was just after Tower Bridge when I started to feel a strong pain in my legs. I didn’t want to run the remaining distance, but I pushed through and ran as much as I could.”

Would you run another Marathon?

“Right now, I would say no… but never say never.”

What would you say to anyone thinking of running the London Marathon for World Horse Welfare next year – and when should they start training?!

“Absolutely do it! Run for the horses and make a difference. Anyone in the equine world knows how much horses give to us, so take the opportunity and give back to them. It’s an achievement you will carry with you forever. Start training as soon as you can to be best prepared, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”

Tilly Gill

What was running the London Marathon like?

“It was enjoyable but I did not cope with the heat very well and very much got heat exhaustion by mile 18. By the end, I just focused on trying to finish with all hope of my time goal out the window. The atmosphere was overwhelming at times; the crowd was INSANE! They do not stop and really pulled me through.”

What was your highlight of the day and your biggest challenge?

“The highlight was finishing! And getting my half marathon and 30k second all-best times which was nice, given my full marathon time went out the window. The biggest challenge was the heat. I never deal well with the heat unfortunately and knew this was something I just couldn’t train for.”

Would you run another Marathon?

“If you asked me on the day, I would have said a big emphatic no! But I am leaning towards doing one to prove I can do the sub-5 hours I had trained for and was on track for. Why am I so competitive?!”

What would you say to anyone thinking of running the London Marathon for World Horse Welfare next year – and when should they start training?!

“DO IT! You won’t regret it. I joined a running club (big up Stevenage Striders) who really helped me on those winter runs and I made friends and memories I will never forget. World Horse Welfare is the best charity and do such amazing work for horses and I felt so honoured to be running for them and raising money. I was a 5k runner before this journey and with World Horse Welfare’s help, I can officially call myself a marathon runner, what!!!”