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London Marathon Runner Story: Matt’s Hot, Emotional Journey for Scoliosis Support and Research
- Sapphire Running Team
- Feb 2
- 6 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
Running the London Marathon is a dream for many athletes — but for Matt, it became a powerful test of resilience, planning, and heart. In this Bitten By the Running Bug podcast, Matt shared his full London Marathon experience after running for the charity Scoliosis Support and Research. From a perfect training block to battling intense heat on race day, his story is one that many marathon runners will recognise.
HAVE A LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE
Marathon Training: 22 Weeks of Consistency and Personal Bests
Matt followed a structured 22-week marathon training plan, and by his own admission, it went almost too well.
No injuries
No niggles
Consistent long runs
Regular personal bests
Each week built confidence, and the structure suited him perfectly. “I just follow the plan like a robot — it tells me what to do and I do it.” The only difficult phase came during the taper, where he felt flat and restless — something most marathon runners experience. But overall, his preparation couldn’t have gone better. However, one concern lingered: running in hot conditions. Matt already knew from training that heat wasn’t his strength. When the weather forecast showed high temperatures for marathon day, nerves started creeping in.
London Marathon Weekend: The Excitement (and Too Many Steps)
Matt travelled down from Derby to London on the Saturday before the race. Thanks to a friend collecting his race number earlier in the week and being part of the Team Green bag drop initiative, logistics were smooth. But despite trying to rest, London had other plans.
Between tube stations, sightseeing, and getting to the finish area, Matt and his friends accidentally clocked up around 20,000 steps the day before the marathon — far from ideal marathon preparation. Still, the atmosphere was incredible:
Seeing the kids’ races at the finish line
Dinner with friends and family
The buzzing streets of Soho
Trying to sleep early while the city celebrated was a challenge — but eventually, it was time for race day.
Race Morning: Early Start, Wave Two, and Rising Heat
With two very young children at home, Matt was already awake before his alarm.
After coffee, porridge, and multiple gear checks, he headed to the start area early — a smart move as trains were packed with runners. Matt started in Wave Two (Team Green) with a start time just after 10am. Even while waiting, the heat was noticeable.
The marathon was already shaping up to be tougher than expected.
The First Half of the London Marathon: Crowds, Landmarks, and Adrenaline
The race began with pure excitement. Matt even sprinted briefly off the start line hoping to be spotted on TV — before quickly realising he needed to slow down.
Early miles were filled with:
Gospel choirs
DJs on corners
Drummers
Thousands of cheering spectators
Every turn brought noise and energy, making it hard not to speed up. By the first water station, Matt drank the whole bottle — and instantly regretted it. His mouth was dry again by the second station, so he changed tactics and carried water between stops. Around mile five, the heat became serious. Matt had set his Garmin watch with a 3:50 marathon target, but he knew chasing it in those conditions would likely end badly. So he made a smart move:👉 He changed his watch screen so he couldn’t see the predicted finish time. From that point on, the goal became simple — run by feel. Passing landmarks like Cutty Sark and running over Tower Bridge was unforgettable. The roar of the crowd and the buzz among runners lifted everyone. Seeing family and friends along the route gave him a huge emotional boost.
Canary Wharf and the Tough Middle Miles
As Matt headed toward Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs, he began seeing faster runners coming back on the opposite side of the road. It was a strange moment — realising there was still so far left to go. Despite hearing that this section is often quiet, this year’s marathon had huge crowds everywhere, which made it far more manageable. However, one section stood out as particularly tough — running underneath the overhead rail line leaving Canary Wharf.Then came the long stretch along the Embankment. Straight. Exposed. Mentally draining. This is where many runners begin to feel the real marathon challenge.
Using Headphones to Push Through Miles 16–21
Matt hadn’t planned on using music, assuming the crowd atmosphere would be enough.
But around mile 16, the heat was overwhelming and his energy was dipping. He put on his London Marathon playlist and zoned out just enough to keep moving forward. The music helped him push through some of the hardest miles. He took the headphones out again around mile 21 to make sure he could hear his sister cheering — another emotional boost when he needed it most.
Marathon Nutrition Strategy: What Worked (and What Didn’t)
Matt stuck closely to his fuelling plan:
Gels taken on schedule
Water at every station
Sipping steadily between stops
He noticed many runners struggling near the Lucozade stations — some being sick or sitting on the floor with sticky puddles beside them. Whether it was the heat or lack of practice with it, Matt chose to stick with what he knew. A great reminder:👉 Never try new nutrition on race day.
The Final Miles: Pure Determination
Matt didn’t experience a magical second wind. Instead, he relied on grit.
After mile 23, his pace dropped significantly — around two and a half minutes per mile slower than earlier in the race. On top of that, weaving through crowds meant his watch recorded an extra 0.4 miles, making the finish feel even further away. But Matt had one rule:
He would not walk. Even at a slow shuffle, he kept running. Photos from those final miles showed the struggle — face grimacing, determination written all over him.
Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the Finish Line Emotions
Seeing Big Ben meant the finish was close. Matt checked his watch again and realised he’d be just over four hours — not the time he’d hoped for. But at that stage, it didn’t matter.
The iconic run past Buckingham Palace and down toward the finish line was overwhelming. He felt tears coming, tried to hold them back, then finally crossed the line. Grabbing his shirt where the Scoliosis Support & Research charity logo sat, emotions hit hard. “I couldn’t believe it when I finished. I was so happy.”
Fundraising Success for Scoliosis Support and Research
Instead of just posting donation links, he:
Shared running videos
Went live during training runs
Made supporters feel part of the journey
His workplace alone raised nearly £600, and by marathon week he had reached around £2,750, with more donations still coming in — even from strangers on social media.
His original target was far lower, making the achievement even more impressive.
Matt’s Top Marathon Tips for Future Charity Runners
If you’re planning to run a marathon — especially for charity — Matt’s advice is gold:
✅ Don’t walk loads the day before
✅ Stick to familiar shoes, gels, and drinks
✅ Train long runs exactly like race day
✅ Use the crowd for energy
✅ Have friends and family on course if possible
✅ Trust your training — you will finish
What’s Next for Matt?
Like many marathon runners, Matt’s first thought was:
“Never again.” Shortly after? He entered the ballot for next year.
He’s determined to break the four-hour marathon barrier, and has races lined up including:
Derby Half Marathon
Derby 10 Mile
He also dreams of one day running a marathon dressed as a baby — inspired by his son Rory, who was born early and spent time in neonatal care.
Final Thoughts: A Marathon to Remember
Matt may not have hit his target time, but he achieved something far bigger:
He battled extreme heat
He never stopped running
He raised thousands for charity
He experienced the magic of the London Marathon
His story is proof that marathon success isn’t just about the clock — it’s about resilience, heart, and finishing what you started.
HAVE A LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE
If you'd like to support Scoliosis Support & Research you can find out more here
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