Jon, a chef from the West Midlands, ran his first marathon to raise funds for Scoliosis Support & Research, inspired by his daughter Poppy, who was diagnosed with scoliosis before her first birthday. Battling the heat of the London Marathon, he raised over £3,000 for this important cause. In this episode, Jon shares his inspirational running story, the challenges of marathon training and race day, and the motivation behind running for charity fundraising. Perfect for runners, charity supporters, and anyone seeking a motivational first marathon journey.

If you'd like to follow in Jon's footsteps and run your next event for Scoliosis Support & Research, or you're interested in one of the charity's London Marathon entries, email Will fundraising@ssr.org.uk. Thank you.

To find out more about scoliosis head to https://ssr.org.uk

For more podcasts head to https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/podcasts. We have 3 channels, one on training and fundraising, this one on runner stories and a third for members only. If you'd to be the focus on one just let us know using the chat function on the homepage.

PODCAST NOTES

• John runs the London Marathon for Scoliosis Support and Research.
• His daughter has undergone multiple surgeries for scoliosis.
• John's motivation is to make his daughter proud.
• He started training later than most due to life commitments.
• Community support played a crucial role in his training.
• He balanced training with family responsibilities.
• John's longest training run was 16 miles on a treadmill.
• He experienced both highs and lows during his training journey.
• Race week was hectic but filled with excitement.
• The adrenaline at the start of the marathon was overwhelming.

• "I just had to keep an eye on it."
• "I wanted to do it for the charity."
• "It's just adrenaline rush, think."

Melissa took a unique approach to marathon training in December, combining her training plan with innovative strategies that paid off on race day. With over £3,000 raised for charity, her fundraising approach was just as effective as her running preparation. Listen to Melissa share her London Marathon journey, her insights on training differently, and how she made her marathon experience truly unforgettable. Perfect for runners looking for marathon training tips, fundraising inspiration, and a motivational running story.

If you'd like to follow in Melissa's footsteps and run your next event for Scoliosis Support & Research, or you're interested in one of the charity's London Marathon entries, email Will fundraising@ssr.org.uk. Thank you. To find out more about scoliosis head to https://ssr.org.uk

For more podcasts head to https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/podcasts. We have 3 channels, one on training and fundraising support, this one on runner stories and a third for members only. If you'd to be the focus on one just let us know using the chat function on the homepage.

PODCAST NOTES

• The London Marathon is an unforgettable experience filled with emotion.
• Training consistency is key, but don't be too hard on yourself.
• The atmosphere and crowd support can significantly boost morale during the race.
• Using technology, like headphones, can help stay connected with supporters during the marathon.
• Nutrition strategies should be tailored to individual needs and preferences.
• Fundraising requires early planning and effective communication with supporters.
• Emails can be more effective than social media for fundraising in a work context.
• It's important to focus on finishing rather than achieving a personal best in challenging conditions.
• Community support plays a crucial role in achieving fundraising goals.
• Future races should be approached with a balance of excitement and respect for the challenge.

• "Worlds apart from Valencia!"
• "The crowds were just so loud!"
• "It felt really smooth and good."
• "The last little boost I needed!"
• "The goal should be to finish!"
• "Everything was textbook!"

Stephen Johnson faced a challenging journey to the 2025 London Marathon, battling injuries like bruised ribs from a warm-up fall and a knee that required a cortisone injection just days before race day. Despite the heat and these setbacks, Stephen powered through to achieve an impressive finish time and exceeded his fundraising goals. In this episode, he shares his marathon training strategies, injury recovery tips, and effective fundraising approach—perfect for runners, marathon enthusiasts, and anyone looking for inspiration. Tune in to hear how determination, preparation, and smart fundraising can make all the difference.

If you'd like to follow in Stephen's footsteps and run your next event for Scoliosis Support & Research, or you're interested in one of the charity's London Marathon entries, email Will fundraising@ssr.org.uk. Thank you. To find out more about scoliosis head to https://ssr.org.uk

For more podcasts head to https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/podcasts. We have 3 channels, one on training and fundraising support, this one on runner stories and a third for members only. If you'd to be the focus on one just let us know using the chat function on the homepage.

PODCAST NOTES

• The atmosphere of running a marathon is unparalleled.
• Training can be unpredictable with injuries and illnesses.
• Planning is crucial for race day success.
• Nutrition strategy is essential during the marathon.
• Fundraising requires early and targeted efforts.
• Personalized communication can enhance fundraising success.
• Mental preparation is as important as physical training.
• Long runs are vital for building confidence and endurance.
• Adapting to race day conditions is key to performance.
• Future races may require innovative fundraising strategies.

• Running Through Challenges: Stephen's Marathon Journey
• From Training to Triumph: A Marathon Story

• "It was a fun day."
• "It's just about planning."
• "You need to get in early."
• "People are very receptive."
• "We live to fight another day."