Marathon Consultancy

Every year, marathons and half marathons create hundreds of heart warming stories that will make even the most unemotional of people come up in goose bumps. At every event, runners can be seen wearing vests with messages such as “This is for you Dad.” in memory of lost or injured loved ones. This page is dedicated to inspirational stories from the runners themselves. If you have a story and would like to submit it to the website, please send it to stories@marathonconsultancy.co.uk.

At Mile 26, with just 400 yards to go of the Flora London Marathon, Nick Martin pulled up with severe cramp making running a near impossibility. Seeing this, fellow runner Mike Charlton stopped and offered a helping hand - donning a particularly fetching pink tutu. With just 400 yards to go, Mike was within throwing distance of completing his 5th marathon in 5 weeks in 5 Countries when he saw a fellow competitor in trouble. Mike said of the incident:

“I must admit that I had absolutely no idea who he was, he was just another runner in need of a little help on Sunday, it was the least I could do. The London marathon is not about times, it's about people. The 50,000 runners with a story to tell, and the Millions of spectators willing you to the finish. Therefore I couldn't leave him, it meant more to me to help than it ever would of to sprint to the line.

What made me laugh is the fact that I am ex-military and just reverted to type by screaming in Nicks face to get him to the line.......I don't know whether he appreciated it, in fact he actually looked quite scared at a 6 feet 4 bloke in a tutu shouting obscenities at him.”

In the closing stages of the London Marathon, brother and sister Mark and Felicity clasped hands and finished the race together, in loving memory of their late brother James.

Running for “Children with Leukemia” Mark and Felicity felt it fitting to complete the grueling 26.2 miles side by side, so they could share the elation of finishing together with James very much in their thoughts.

Although Mark and Felicity both found the training tough, they both felt an enormous feeling of self accomplishment and achievement once they finished the 26.2 mile race.

Although the expression on my face may appear to give the impression I would rather be anywhere else but on mile 25 of the London Marathon, it was actually a joy to be able to complete the course.

Eight years before this race I suffered a back injury to my lower vertebrae, making any exercise painful. For months I feared I would never have the opportunity to run pain free again and vowed to myself that if ever I had the physical ability to be able to run a marathon I would, on the sole principle that I could! Years after my injury, my back grew stronger and I learnt how to live with my back condition. In 2005 I stuck to my vow and completed the London Marathon in under 3hrs 30mins in oppressive heat and a far from adequate training regime.

It shows what can be achieved if you put your mind to something and have the added incentive of a reason for doing it. Half Marathons and Marathons hurt— but at least you have the ability to run!