By Well Alesha’s BGT golden buzzer on Saturday night certainly kick started the marathon countdown. What a way to introduce everyone to Chickenshed and showcase the amazing work that they do. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect! If you haven’t yet seen it, please take a look.
After a carb-loaded breakfast, the marathon buzz truly began at London Bridge station where we joined thousands of other runners all making their way towards the start. That was also when the heavens opened, but we were prepared with ponchos, bin bags and shoe covers ready to take on all elements. After waiting in a seemingly endless queue for the toilets, our start wave was opened at 10:51 (Izzy slightly earlier given her speedy feet) and our journey started. The first couple of miles didn’t go according to plan as Suze pulled up at mile 2 with an injury (and not the Achilles she had dealt with for the last few months). However, after a brief stretch, we carried on alongside disco ball man, fridge man and plenty of rhinos. We passed some iconic sights lined with an endless sea of people. The Cutty Sark and Tower Bridge will forever be etched in our memories, as will the mile 10 marker, part of which is now embedded in Merce’s nose! Any normal human would have quit there and then, but David is clearly made of much sterner stuff.
After mile 15, the race got tough despite months of training these distances and more. The physical and mental struggle was real. Suze’s injury really began to intensify but she was determined to carry on albeit at a slower pace than planned, with Merce by her side as he had always promised. Seeing so many of our family and friends along the route really meant the world to us and gave us a much-needed push. We were so grateful for everyone braving the weather and making such an effort to be there to support us. A special merci beaucoup to Madame and Docteur Ferragu who travelled over from France.
The rest of the course was a blur of whistles, drums, confetti and bells. A sensory overload in the best possible way. Although we crossed the finish line at different times, battling our own challenges along the way, through grit and determination we made it!
We are so grateful to each and every one of you for sponsoring us. Together we have raised over £28,000 for Chickenshed which has exceeded all of our expectations.
Thank you for reading, listening and supporting us along the road to London 2023…we’ve loved every second of it…our journey is now complete.
– Team Run for Ruby x
Izzy Ayers 3.51.08, Lola Hamilton 4.27.24, Suzanne Hamilton 4.52.33, David Mercer 4.52.33
