Robbie’s London Marathon Story 

Robbie reached out to SARSAS over email, and for the better part of a year, they leaned on our team for support. In Robbie’s words, “I had such amazing support from you during the hardest period of my life”. After finding out that SARSAS is a charity, and that the email support they received can only happen with fundraising and donations, Robbie was on the lookout for ways to support our work – and it just so happened that the perfect opportunity would come along. 

We had a chat with Robbie to find out why it meant so much to them to run the London Marathon for SARSAS, and what that experience was like. 

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So, Robbie, what inspired you to run the London Marathon? 

Why did I do that silly thing? [Laughing] It’s such a long way! 

I signed up for the ballot on a whim. I’d been running for like the past ten years or so, and it was one of those things you just think maybe you might do. I had always said to people that if I ever do a marathon, it would be for SARSAS. I had such amazing support from you during the hardest period of my life. For about 8 months on and off I was emailing your support team, and the support and compassion was absolutely incredible. I remember thinking – how is this not on the NHS? 

So yeah, on that June day or whenever you get the ballot results, I got a place, and I went ‘Oh fuck, I’ve got to do it now!’ [Laughing] Getting in on the ballot was such an exciting thing, and I loved that I could choose whichever charity I wanted – I loved that I could just do it for you guys. It was a no brainer.  

How did you the training, it must have been intense? 

Well, there was actually a really long time to train because you get the ballot result almost a year before you actually run it. I had almost a whole year of the marathon being at the back of mind, and then later on in the forefront of my mind! For me, a lot of things happened during the year, and at times I was thinking about deferring, but I loved having time to myself that was just mine when everything else felt really chaotic. 

It sounds really cheesy and corny but when things were really hard, I think if I hadn’t been doing it for SARSAS, it would have been much, much harder. Like, when you have an 18-mile run and you just want to sack things off, you’ve got to tap into that ‘why’ and the emotions behind it. 

It is so intense though, it involves a lot of time and a lot of sacrifice. I was doing three runs a week and a strength session, sometimes cross training as well. My runs would be an interval session, an easy run and a long run. The long runs get longer as well – in the final five weeks or so, I was running like a half marathon every weekend. You end up knackered, you’re just really, really tired. 

Even if you’re not very social or going out that much, you find that you have to say no to things, like ‘Sorry guys, I’ve got to do a long run in the morning.’ You can’t really do it any other time other than the weekend. One of my friends said, ‘Imagine how much time you’ll have back after this’, and it’s so true! 

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What was the atmosphere like on the day? 

The day was so special, and it was so hard. It’s a long way! [Laughing]. The practicality of the marathon was really hard. It was a struggle, and for me it really didn’t go to plan. It was really hot, the weather conditions were really hard and you’re just out there for such a long time. I wrote my name on my vest though, and people were either screaming my name or yelling ‘Come on SARSAS!’. That made me so emotional, I was crying and just feeling all the support. 

There’s honestly nothing like it. The London Marathon particularly is such a charity focused event. Everyone has put in months of effort for it, for their causes and it’s just amazing. It is so emotional. 

How did you find the fundraising aspect of things? 

The fundraising was great the whole way through, and there was great support from SARSAS. 

My friends and family were just so generous too. I see people on social media and stuff who raise thousands and thousands, and I knew that probably wasn’t going to be me. I have a small family and there were only so many people I could ask, but I raised over £1,000 with GiftAid, which I’m just so happy about! 

At one point as well my Mum’s partner donated hundreds of pounds! She’d seen me and all my training and how much effort it takes to run a marathon, and she’d seen all the dedication and sacrifice and basically said she wanted to donate as much as she could to match my effort. So that was just amazing. 

Did you have friends or loved ones come and support you on the day? 

My brother actually came up for the day which was so sweet because he was working both the days either side of the marathon! That meant a lot that he came up to see me, especially because he had an early start the next day. 

I stayed in London with my family who are based in Peckham, and they came to support me on the day. All my family did so well going around the route, I saw them like 3 or 4 times over the course! 

How did you feel afterwards? 

As soon as I got my medal I phoned my Mum, and just burst into tears and said “that was such a stupid fucking thing to do!” [Laughing] She asked if I wanted to do another one and I said I’m never going to do it again. [Laughs again] I then immediately signed up to the ballot. 

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What did you do afterwards, and how did you celebrate? 

Everyone tells you to bring spare shoes and socks for afterwards because your feet swell up, so I brought my crocs, but I was so stiff in my legs and my shoulders I actually couldn’t even bend over! My family put me in a camping chair, and my brother had to take off my socks and put on new ones for me! 

I didn’t sleep very well that night, I had a total buzz. Your heart rate is so high afterwards from all that exercise. It was so nice though the next few days staying in London. I wore my medal everywhere the next day, and when me and my family went out for pizza a few days later I wore my medal then too. [Laughing] It felt like I was saying to everyone I’m a big deal! 

I’ve had my marathon medal and number framed, and because so many people took part and raised money everyone gets a Guiness World Record, so I got that framed too! I still wear my finisher’s t shirt everywhere! I’m so so proud of myself for doing it. I was training for over a year, and that’s a lot of time to spend with just one goal in mind. 

Do you have any other thoughts to share about your experience? 

I just had a really great time. It felt really special to do it for a cause so close to my heart. I see people who just want to do the London Marathon and just go through any charity and it’s totally fair enough, but it’s amazing when you do it for a charity that means something. For me, it was one of the best things I’ve done – doing it for a charity that I care about so much and means so much to me. The reason I was doing it, the bigger picture and the grit behind me was always SARSAS. 

It’s not the hardest thing I’ve ever done, because I’ve experienced a lot, but it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever chosen to do and that was so powerful, so special. 

And what would you say to someone thinking of doing a marathon for the first time? 

Oh gosh. It’s so cheesy, but you’re never gonna have another first marathon. Soak up everything about it. Write your name on your bib or your vest. People will scream your name which is incredible and emotional. It’s such a feat of endurance, never forget that. It’s not a normal thing to do, it’s an incredible thing to do. You’re an absolute machine. To do it for charity, it’s a remarkable, special thing to do. You will never regret running a marathon or a half marathon, especially for an incredible charity like SARSAS. 

I can’t wait to see next year’s lucky duo running for SARSAS. You’re going to be great, because doing it is so great. 

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If you’re inspired by Robbie’s story and would like to explore ways to fundraise for SARSAS, we’d love to hear from you! Every effort, big or small, helps us continue our vital work. You can contact us at fundraising@sarsas.org.uk or check out our fundraising page.