We had 18 incredible runners taking part in the London Marathon this year. Firstly, let me just take this moment to congratulate Alex, Ben, Bob, Emily, Jack, James, Joanne, Kerry, Louise, Luke, Nick, Nic, Paul, Rachel, Sara, Sarah, Simon and Vincent. YOU ARE ALL AMAZING!
As a cheering teamleader, I take my role very seriously. Not only am I desperate to see all of our runners fly by, it’s an absolute pleasure to cheer on everyone taking part. All the participants have trained for months and it’s the least we could do to whoop on the sidelines (with some emergency jelly babies on hand).
Some of our runners were taking on their first ever challenge for Willow – and what a way to start! Some were running in memory of loved ones who’d had a Special Day. Some had experienced their very own Special Day. But all were running to bring hope and happiness to seriously ill young adults and their families.
At around 2pm the marathon sweeper vans are clearing the course but I’m still there shouting and hollering for the final runners, usually with a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye by this point. Every single person is running for a cause they believe in and it fills me with joy.
It sounds so horrbily cliche but the London marathon is such an inspiring day. Despite being a very reluctant runner (I can just about pant my way through 5K at the moment) I’m going to apply for my ballot place and, if I’m lucky enough to get my place, I’ll be running next year for Special Days.
Apply for your ballot place today or find out more about joining Team Willow.