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From Couch to 5K to the London Marathon: Lucy Carpenter’s Inspiring Running Journey
- 23 hours ago
- 5 min read
In the latest episode of the Sapphire Running Zone podcast, host Tim Rogers sat down with Lucy Carpenter from Hospice UK to discuss her remarkable journey from new mum and novice runner to half marathon finisher, marathon hopeful and successful charity fundraiser.
Over the course of the conversation, Lucy shares how running helped her rediscover her identity after motherhood, the lessons she learned from completing charity treks in Vietnam and Cambodia, and how she has raised more than £22,000 for charity through the power of community, events and authentic storytelling. Whether you're training for your first 5K, preparing for a marathon, or looking for fresh fundraising ideas, Lucy's story is packed with inspiration and practical advice.
HAVE A LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE
Running, Resilience and Raising Money for Hospice Care
When Lucy Carpenter started the Couch to 5K programme nearly two years ago, she wasn't thinking about marathons. Eight months after becoming a mother, she was simply looking for something that felt like her own. Today, Lucy is preparing for the London Marathon and has raised more than £22,000 for charitable causes throughout her fundraising journey. Along the way, she has discovered the power of storytelling, community and movement, not just for personal wellbeing, but for making a meaningful difference. As Programme Lead for the Compassionate Employers Programme at Hospice UK, Lucy works every day to support people experiencing illness, caring responsibilities and bereavement. Her passion for helping others extends far beyond her professional role and into the fundraising challenges she has undertaken over the last 13 years.
Finding Running After Motherhood; Couch to 5K
Like many new parents, Lucy found herself searching for a sense of identity after having her daughter. Running offered a practical solution. The Couch to 5K programme allowed her to start small, build confidence and gradually discover what her body was capable of.
"I needed something that was going to give me a bit of a sense of identity."
What started as short runs around the block soon became a genuine passion. The structured progression of Couch to 5K helped her overcome fears about fitness, pace and what others might think. More importantly, it taught her that running isn't about perfection.
Whether you're running for thirty seconds or thirty minutes, progress is progress.
From Vietnam Treks to Half Marathons
Long before she became a runner, Lucy was already embracing physical challenges for good causes. At just 18 years old, she completed a 100-kilometre trek across Vietnam in memory of a close friend who had been cared for by a hospice. The experience transformed her perspective and sparked a lifelong commitment to fundraising. She later completed another 100-kilometre trek in Cambodia following the death of her father. Together, the two challenges raised over £15,000 for hospice charities. Those experiences also gave her confidence to take on running events. After progressing from Couch to 5K to 10K, Lucy completed both the Hackney Half Marathon and Oxford Half Marathon and raised even more money, before securing a ballot place for the London Marathon, which she deferred to 2027.
The Secret Behind Raising £22,000
Fundraising can feel intimidating, especially when targets stretch into the thousands of pounds. Lucy believes success comes down to creativity, persistence and bringing people together. For her overseas challenges, she organised community events including charity pub quizzes, live music events, raffles and family-friendly fundraising days. By partnering with local businesses and venues, she maximised income while minimising costs. Some events raised over £1,000 in a single day. Her advice is simple: don't be afraid to ask for support. Many businesses are willing to donate services, provide venues or contribute prizes when they understand the impact of the cause.
Why Storytelling Matters So Much
While fundraising methods have evolved, one principle has remained constant throughout Lucy's journey. People don't just donate to events, they donate to stories. For her recent running challenges, Lucy focused primarily on LinkedIn and WhatsApp, sharing honest updates about her running journey, family life and reasons for supporting hospice care.
Rather than focusing on race times or personal bests, she focused on why she runs.
"A huge part of it is storytelling. If people buy into you as a person and why you're doing something, then they come with you."
This authentic approach helped her build meaningful connections with supporters and turn donations into long-term engagement.
The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything
One of the most powerful moments in the conversation came when Lucy reflected on motherhood and how it transformed her confidence. After giving birth, she realised she was capable of far more than she had ever imagined. That shift in mindset has changed how she approaches every challenge.
"I've grown a child and I've birthed a child and I could literally do anything now."
It's a reminder that many of the limits we place on ourselves are far smaller than our true capabilities.
Making Movement Accessible for Everyone
As Hospice UK partners with People's Postcode Lottery and Strava through the "Miles for Causes" campaign, Lucy is also passionate about encouraging more people to move in ways that work for them. The campaign rewards participants for completing activity challenges, whether that's running, walking, cycling, yoga or strength training. For Lucy, the message is clear, movement doesn't have to look a certain way and it doesn't have to be fast. "Movement is movement" has become a personal mantra, one that resonates with runners and non-runners alike.
This is how you can get involved:
1. Download the Strava app if you don’t already have it.
2. Then sign up to the Crowns for Causes challenge: it’s pinned in the Strava challenges section, so it’s really easy to find.
3. Next: just get active! Log your walks, runs, or activities and complete the challenge.
4. Once you’re done, tap ‘redeem’ to head to the Crowns for Causes page.
5. And finally, choose Hospice UK to unlock your £50 donation.
The best part? There’s no fundraising or sponsorship needed as the donation is funded by Postcode Lottery. So every step you take is helping to support hospice care and raise awareness for the incredible work hospices do. So if you’re already walking the dog, going for a run, or heading to the gym, why not make it count?
Looking Ahead to the London Marathon
Next on the horizon is the London Marathon, where Lucy hopes to continue raising vital funds for hospice care. Together with her husband, she has set an ambitious fundraising goal while preparing for her biggest running challenge yet. Based on her track record, few would bet against her success. From trekking across Southeast Asia to discovering running after motherhood, Lucy's journey demonstrates what can happen when personal purpose meets community support. Perhaps her story offers a lesson for all of us: Start where you are, tell your story honestly and never underestimate what you're capable of achieving.
