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A First Time Marathoner And Fundraising Hero: Simon’s Manchester Marathon Story
- Jun 2
- 5 min read
Running a Spring marathon in the UK is a challenge at the best of times. Training through winter, balancing family life, and preparing for 26.2 miles is enough to test anyone’s commitment. For Simon Webb, though, the Manchester Marathon was about much more than crossing a finish line. It was about supporting his daughter, raising awareness for scoliosis, and proving to himself that he could take on something he’d never attempted before. In a recent Sapphire Running Zone Runner Review Podcast with Tim Rogers, Simon shared the highs, lows, and lessons from his first marathon experience.
HAVE A LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE
How a Dog Walk Turned Into Marathon Training
Like many runners, Simon didn’t start with ambitions of completing a marathon. After stepping away from sports like football and tennis, he was looking for something he could fit around work and family life. Living in a rural village gave him easy access to countryside trails, and after getting a dog during lockdown, running became a natural extension of daily walks. What started as casual runs soon became 10k's, then half marathons, and eventually a marathon goal. But there was another reason behind his decision. After his daughter Isla was diagnosed with scoliosis and underwent spinal fusion surgery, Simon decided to use the Manchester Marathon as an opportunity to raise money for the Scoliosis Support and Research charity.
“Once you sign up for that, it does motivate you. You don’t want to let people down.”
That sense of purpose would become one of the biggest driving forces throughout his training.
Training Through Winter And Through Family Challenges
Simon followed a structured online training plan lasting around 14 weeks. The plan introduced more than just mileage, adding strength work, recovery days, and speed sessions into the mix. Like many first-time marathoners, he quickly discovered that consistency matters more than heroics. His routine typically included:
Three runs per week
One long run a week
Faster training sessions
Strength and mobility work
Gradually increasing weekly mileage
His longest run reached just over 30km, with a target of 35km. However, life had other plans. Just as he was approaching the peak phase of training, his daughter underwent surgery. Time that would have been spent chasing extra miles was instead spent supporting his family and visiting the hospital. Looking back, it’s a reminder that marathon training rarely happens in perfect conditions.
The Strange World of Marathon Tapering
After months of building fitness, runners are suddenly told to do less. For Simon, tapering felt almost unnatural. As the weather improved and running became more enjoyable, he found himself wanting to keep pushing. Instead, he had to trust the process, reduce his mileage, and focus on recovery. By race week, he was more than ready. In his own words, he felt like:
“A cat on a hot tin roof, ready to go by the time the day comes.”
Anyone who has trained for a marathon will recognise that feeling.
Race Day: The Manchester Marathon Delivers
Simon travelled to Manchester the day before the race and stayed overnight. As a Manchester United fan starting near Old Trafford added a special touch to the experience. Photos with football legends’ statues were a fitting way to begin one of the biggest sporting days of his life. The wave system gave runners plenty of space, and this worked in his favour, providing open road ahead rather than crowded conditions. The first half of the marathon felt comfortable; the weather was great, the crowds were enthusiastic, and Simon even spent part of the race chatting with another runner he’d just met. Importantly, he resisted the temptation to go too fast.
The Moment Every Marathon Becomes Real
For many runners, the marathon truly begins around the 30km mark. For Simon, that was exactly the case. Up to halfway, everything felt under control. Through the next 10km, fatigue gradually crept into his legs. Then the real battle started. His quads began to tighten, his pace started to slow, and the ambitious goal of breaking four hours slipped further away. At that moment, the challenge became less about time and more about determination.
“At one point I had to psychologically let go of my target of four hours and just say the target now is to get finished.”
Rather than stopping to walk, Simon relied on a lesson learned from a previous half marathon. Once he stopped moving, getting going again became much harder. So he kept running. Slowly and painfully, but continuously. He put on his headphones, focused inward, and simply concentrated on reaching the finish line.
Relief And Pride
After four hours and nine minutes, Simon crossed the finish line. His overwhelming feeling wasn't celebration. It was relief. After months of preparation, fundraising, family commitments, and 26.2 miles of effort, he had done it. The medal felt really special. Seeing friends waiting at the finish made it even better. His official finishing time of 4:09 was slightly outside his four-hour target but still comfortably faster than he ever imagined when he first signed up.
Raising £2,500 for Scoliosis Support & Research
If completing a marathon wasn't enough, Simon also exceeded his fundraising goals in spectacular fashion. His original target was £1,000. By race day, he had already raised £2,000 and shortly afterwards, that figure climbed to £2,500. Much of that success came from support within his local community. One of the standout fundraising events was a charity race night held at the village hall. The event included:
A DVD of horse races
Bets on each race, with half to the winner and half to the charity
Food and drinks
A community raffle
Support from local businesses donating prizes
The raffle alone raised around £250, while the event generated over £500 in total. It became more than a fundraiser; it became a community event that people genuinely enjoyed.
If you'd like to join Simon and run for Scoliosis Support & Research find out more here
Why He's Already Signed Up Again
Immediately after finishing, Simon had one thought: "I'm never doing that again." It's a familiar reaction among marathon runners. After a few weeks of recovery, conversations with friends, and reflection on the experience, his perspective changed. The unfinished business of that four-hour barrier started calling. Now he's already entered next year's Manchester Marathon. With one marathon under his belt and the lessons of experience behind him, there is every chance he'll come back stronger.
Final Thoughts
Simon's story is a reminder that marathon running isn't just about times and medals.
It's about commitment, family and community. Sometimes, it's about finding strength when life presents challenges that are far bigger than running. Manchester gave Simon a marathon finish. More importantly, it helped raise £2,500 for a cause close to his family's heart and brought an entire community together in support. For a first marathon, that's an achievement worth celebrating.
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