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Back of the Pack Running: How Emma Moore Redefined Success in Half Marathons
- Feb 12
- 4 min read
If you’ve ever worried you’ll be the slowest runner at an event, Emma Moore wants you to know two things: you’re not alone—and finishing at the back can be one of the most powerful places to be. In a conversation with Tim Rogers from the Sapphire Running Zone, Emma (based in South Wales and working at Wales Air Ambulance) shares a refreshingly honest take on what it’s like to be a self-described “back of the pack runner.” Her story includes a first half marathon that went wildly off-plan, the reality of running anxiety, and why “success” has nothing to do with where you place.
Have a listen to the podcast here
This is for the runners who are nervous, slower, new, returning, or simply tired of feeling like they don’t belong.
Meet Emma Moore: “Proud of Back of the Pack Running”
Emma’s running journey began with her first real consistency in January 2024, starting from Couch to 5K and building toward her first half marathon by June. Since then, she’s completed three half marathons, raised significant funds for charity, and become even more convinced that running isn’t reserved for fast people. She also brings a unique angle: she’s worked in fundraising and sports engagement for years, supporting runners and community participants—so she understands the event world from both sides.
The First Half Marathon: “Almost a Dreadful Mistake”
Emma’s first half marathon wasn’t exactly a triumphant victory lap. It started as a Christmas gift: her best friend bought her an entry to the Southampton Half Marathon (June 2024) and even helped get her into a running club—basically calling her bluff in the most loving way possible.
But race day brought a perfect storm: a warm day, a looped course (six laps), and the emotional impact of being overtaken again and again. About 8km in, Emma experienced a debilitating panic attack and ended up on the floor, overwhelmed.
Still, she finished.
It took just over three and a half hours. She came last—by a lot. And she got her medal anyway.
“In the slower running community, some of us have an acronym, DFL, which is dead flipping last. And that is exactly where I ended up.”
Running Anxiety Is Real (and More Common Than You Think)
Emma’s explanation of the panic attack will resonate with anyone who’s ever spiralled mid-run.
She describes being with her sister (a strong runner), the tail runner misunderstanding where they were on the course, and her brain doing what anxious brains do: catastrophising.
She thought she was about to be told she didn’t belong.
“My brain was tremendously unkind to me and I thought that they were coming back to tell me… you’ve got no business being here.”
What happened next is the kind of race-day humanity you rarely hear about: the tail runner and stewards supported her, let her continue, and stayed with her. On the final lap, marshals literally packed up and joined them.
Emma didn’t just finish—she finished with an escort.
“On my final lap… it felt like a lap of honour.”
Tips for Nervous First-Time Runners (From Someone Who’s Been There)
Emma’s advice is practical, kind, and experience-tested:
Prepare—but don’t punish yourself
She references a quote she loves: if you carry the weight of missed training runs to the start line, you’ll start heavy.
Eat breakfast
She’s blunt about it (and right). Running long without breakfast can turn nerves into a full-body shutdown.
Reframe “last place”
Emma describes finishing last as unexpectedly uplifting—because the finish line support is often incredible for back-of-pack runners.
DNF vs DNS
Not finishing isn’t shameful. Starting matters.
“A DNF is a heck of a lot more impressive than a DNS.”
Fundraising and Running: Why Your Story Matters More Than Your Pace
After Southampton, Emma decided to run Cardiff Half Marathon for Wales Air Ambulance. She set a fundraising target of around £250—and raised about £900. Her biggest fundraising lesson is simple: story beats speed. She leaned into honesty: the panic attack, the nerves, the reality of struggling. People related. And every donation became fuel during training. Emma also shares a smart insight for repeat events: after you’ve done a half marathon a few times, people may assume it’s no longer a challenge—so fundraising can require more creativity (quizzes, bake sales, or unique hooks).
One of her favourite ideas? A fundraiser who let donors add songs to the “worst running playlist,” turning sponsorship into something funny and interactive.
Progress Without Pressure: 3 Half Marathons, 3 Different Lessons
Emma’s timeline shows growth without pretending it’s linear:
Southampton Half (2024): panic attack, finished DFL, huge emotional rollercoaster
Cardiff Half (for Wales Air Ambulance 2024): ran while unwell with a chest infection; tough experience, still finished
Cardiff Half (for Hope Rescue 2025): aimed for sub-3 hours and hit 2:57, even after soaking her phone and losing her “perfectly curated playlist”
Her takeaway is the one most runners need to hear: Running doesn’t have to be only for people who are fast.
What’s Next for Emma? (And Why Events Keep You Consistent)
Emma’s next event is Cathedral to Castle (10 miles) in April—chosen partly because she knows she’ll “tail off” without something on the calendar. She also has a ballot place for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
Longer-term, she thinks fundraising may eventually mean attempting a marathon—not because she needs to prove anything, but because it would be a meaningful new challenge.
She also speaks to a bigger point: there’s an entire online community of slower runners, cheering each other on, and it’s bigger than people realise.
The Real Point: Running Belongs to Everyone
Tim wraps up by thanking Emma for bringing a perspective that doesn’t get enough airtime. The culture of running can sometimes over-focus on pace and performance—but for most people, the win is showing up, doing the hard thing, and becoming the kind of person who keeps going.
If you'd like to join Emma and raise funds for Wales Air Ambulance you can find out more here.
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