Running Through Memories: How Julie Conquered the London Marathon for St Raphael's Hospice

For many runners, the London Marathon is a bucket-list event. For Julie, it became something much bigger: a deeply personal challenge, a tribute to loved ones, and a journey that tested her resilience in ways she never expected. Speaking on the Sapphire Running Zone podcast with host Tim Rogers, Julie reflected on her first-ever marathon experience representing St. Raphael’s Hospice in South London. What emerged was a story not just about running 26.2 miles, but about grief, courage, community, and discovering strength she never realised she had.

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Lungs on fire

Julie’s relationship with running started decades ago and not exactly with love at first sight. At 18, she forced herself out for painful runs while at university, struggling through short distances with “lungs on fire.” But gradually, persistence turned into passion. Over the years, running became woven into her life. She ran in many countries, built memories with family, and used running as emotional release and connection., yet one thing always remained off-limits in her mind: the marathon.

“I always told myself I couldn’t do a marathon.”

Julie secured a charity place with St. Raphael’s Hospice, an organisation deeply meaningful to her and her family. The hospice’s work supporting people and families through end-of-life care gave Julie a powerful motivation far beyond personal achievement.

Injuries, Treadmills and Unexpected Detours

Marathon training rarely goes perfectly, and Julie’s preparation was anything but straightforward. Only weeks after securing her place, she suffered a nasty fall during a Parkrun, severely injuring her ankle. The injury stopped her training for nearly three months. Julie refused to let the setback end her marathon dream and by January, she was back training, battling through one of the wettest winters in recent memory. Then came another unexpected twist. A trip to Malaysia during training coincided with the Iran War that diverted her return flight to Oman for five days after conflict broke out near Qatar. Instead of abandoning training, Julie used hotel treadmills in intense heat and humidity to stay on track. Remarkably, the experience actually improved her confidence and pacing.

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Marathon Training

As race day approached, Julie discovered the mental challenge of marathon preparation could be just as difficult as the physical one. The taper period, when runners reduce mileage to recover before race day, brought exhaustion, nerves, and restless energy. Like many marathon runners, she struggled with the strange contrast of wanting to push harder while simultaneously protecting herself from injury. By race morning, excitement finally overtook fear.

“It was the closest experience for an adult to Christmas Day… if you were terrified of Santa at the same time.”

Despite difficult train journeys into London, Julie found comfort in the atmosphere building across Greenwich as thousands of runners gathered together. The energy, anticipation, and shared nerves transformed the morning into something unforgettable.

Tower Bridge Highs and Canary Wharf Lows

The early stages of the race felt magical. Julie described the residential streets of Woolwich and Greenwich filled with music, dancing, cheering crowds, and carnival-like energy. The iconic moments came quickly; Cutty Sark, London Bridge, and then the unforgettable run across Tower Bridge. For the first half of the race, everything clicked. She even recorded her fastest-ever half marathon time. Like many London Marathon runners, the emotional comedown after Tower Bridge hit hard. The route toward Canary Wharf became mentally tougher and fatigue started creeping in. Julie admitted she likely started too fast, fuelled by adrenaline and excitement. Hydration became increasingly important in the unusually warm conditions, forcing her to adjust constantly on the move.

If you'd like to run for St Raphael's Hospice you can find out more here 

Running Through London and Through Memories

As the marathon entered its final miles, the experience became intensely emotional.

London wasn’t just the race location for Julie, it was the backdrop to her entire life. She had lived, worked, and raised her daughter there. She had run those streets with her late husband years before. Approaching Parliament and Birdcage Walk, memories flooded back.

Her brother jumped into the crowd to encourage her home, while her family waited near the finish.

“I stopped and hugged them… and that was the moment where I thought, ‘I’ve done it.’”

Crossing the finish line wasn’t simply the completion of a marathon. It represented years of memories, loss, resilience, and personal growth all colliding in one unforgettable moment.

The Unexpected “Loss” After the London Marathon

One of the most relatable moments of the conversation came after the race itself. Julie described the emotional emptiness many marathon runners experience once the training and goal suddenly disappear.

“There’s almost a sense of slight grieving for it.”

For months, marathon preparation dominates life; long runs, recovery, schedules, sacrifices, and anticipation. Then suddenly, it’s over. Tim noted how common this feeling is among marathon runners, which is why many immediately start searching for their next challenge. For Julie, that next challenge is already forming, with races planned later this year and a renewed desire to run socially with others.

Raising £3,000 for St. Raphael’s Hospice

Alongside completing her first marathon in an impressive 4:18, Julie also raised nearly £3,000 for St. Raphael’s Hospice. Initially uncomfortable asking people for money, she found creative ways to fundraise:

• Hosting a Christmas raffle for neighbours

• Organising a rain-soaked charity car wash

• Holding a workplace bake sale

• Sharing the hospice’s story more openly and confidently

  
  

By the end of the journey, she realised fundraising wasn’t about asking for herself.

It was about giving people the opportunity to support a cause that genuinely mattered.

And she now believes she could do even more next time.

More Than a Marathon

Julie’s story captures something many runners understand but struggle to explain.

The marathon isn’t simply about finishing 26.2 miles. It becomes a vehicle for reflection, healing, identity, and community. What started as “something she couldn’t do” became one of the most meaningful experiences of her life. Judging by the way she talks about already getting “itchy feet,” this probably won’t be her last London Marathon.

have a listen to the podcast here