LWC Three Take on London Marathon

More people than ever before applied for a place in this year’s TCS London Marathon.

 

And when over 50,000 hit the streets of the capital for the 46^th edition of the race, all of them will have a story to tell of how they got there and why they’re doing it.

 

Three runners with roots firmly in the 1200 explain why they’ve put in the training to complete those 26 miles…

   

William’s Story

 

Upper Sixth Former, William, will find himself at the start line thanks to an LWC tradition.

 

“I’ve been involved in two Stern Challenges,” he beams. This is the annual College attempt to cover 100km in a single day. “Through those, I suppose I found a love of trail running.”

 

It’s this passion that’s carried William through the rigorous training for this year’s marathon; he’s been running up to five times a week alongside studying for his forthcoming A-levels, occupying one of the Heads of College roles and captaining the LWC Boys 1^st XV Rugby Team.

 

“It’s obviously a pivotal year,” he remarks. “But I’m just trying the best I can. I’m big on journaling and writing down what I want to achieve in the day. That really helps.”

 

At the heart of William’s desire to complete his first marathon is the knowledge that in doing so, he’ll be raising money for a cause close to his heart.

 

“I have a really good relationship with (fellow Upper Sixth Former) Billy and his family,” he explains. “Billy’s younger brother suffers from mitochondrial disease. I’ve seen the struggles that they’ve gone through as a family and I really wanted to do something to support them.”

 

Mitochondrial disease is a complex group of genetic conditions that affects how the energy producers in our cells function. High-energy parts of the body, such as the heart, brain, muscles, eyes and ears can be affected, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe.

 

“I’m running for The Lily Foundation, which supports families affected by mitochondrial disease,” William continues. The charity was founded in 2007 in memory of Lily, who died from the disease at the age of just eight months. Since then, the organisation has provided support, education and funded research to try and find a cure.

 

So far, William has raised nearly £1500 for The Lily Foundation through his fundraising page, helped along by LWC students and staff clubbing together to boost the coffers. “The LWC community has been hugely supportive,” William admits. “Some of my friends have come on training runs with me. I think a lot of them are coming to support me at the marathon finish line, along with my family and some of the old Prefect Team.”

 

And what will get him through one of his toughest physical challenges to date?

 

“Honey is one of my favourite foods,” he smiles. “I’ve eaten bananas dipped in honey for the other running events that I’ve done, so that’s what I’ll most likely have.

 

“I’m most looking forward to seeing all of my friends at the finish line. That will be a great moment.”

   

Lottie’s Story

 

LWC parent, Lottie will be running the marathon in aid of the Lord Wandsworth Foundation.

 

Running became something of a coping mechanism for the mother of three after her husband James was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2021.

 

“Throughout James’ illness, running with my friends became my therapy and we would meet several times a week after school drop-off at Frensham Ponds,” Lottie explains. “It became a cathartic way of releasing a lot of my sadness. Someone once said that you never regret a run. As a group, we all ran the first Rob Burrows MND Marathon in Leeds in 2023.”

 

James lost his battle to MND in 2024 at the age of 42.

 

“Shortly after his diagnosis, he set about raising awareness and funds for My Name’5 Doddie – a charity set up by the late Doddie Weir to fund research into the cause of MND,” Lottie adds. “What started as a 50-mile bike ride along the Shipwrights Way led to many other challenges and fundraisers. The total raised reached £1 million on the day that James passed away.”

 

Having contributed much to the MND fundraising effort, Lottie has decided to take on the challenge of the TCS London Marathon for the Lord Wandsworth Foundation, which supports young people who have lost the support of one or both parents, primarily through bereavement.

 

“Over the last few months, whilst training, I’ve had time to think about the support network that has surrounded us as a family and led us to be in the good space we are today,” Lottie reveals.  “A large part of this has been down to the Lord Wandsworth Foundation and wider College,” (which two of Lottie’s children attend).

 

“It feels only right to give back and for others to have the opportunity to grow in such a special environment.”

 

On the day, Lottie is confident that “the spirit of the crowd, James and my kids,” will get her over the finish line. “That and a keen nine-year-old daughter with her banner.”

 

Lottie has so far smashed her fundraising target of £2000. You can find her fundraising page here.

   

Phoebe’s Story

 

Last but certainly not least is Upper Sixth Former, Phoebe.

 

The London Marathon isn’t the furthest this budding medic plans to run this year, as once her A-level exams are finished in June, she will embark upon her mission to become the youngest woman to run the length of Britain.

 

Another Stern Challenge veteran, Phoebe claims that before her first rodeo with running, she hated sport. The reluctant 4^th Former who first donned her trainers for the then LWC Chaplain’s Challenge, couldn’t possibly have imagined herself one day hovering at the start line of one of the most high-profile marathons in the world.

 

“I think once I started running, I knew that I wanted to do a marathon, but I had to wait until I was 18,” she confesses.

 

Phoebe will be running the London Marathon for the National Autistic Society, following her own diagnosis in 2024. She describes running as a way of slowing down her busy mind, allowing her to switch off and immerse herself in the natural world.

 

“Training has been going really well,” she reveals. “I feel strong going into London and the summer.

 

“I’ve been so grateful for the support from the LWC community, having already raised over £1200 through my fundraising page. It’s been motivating to see so many people getting behind me and believing in me. I’ve also had practical support and help in guiding my strength training from LWC. It’s made a huge difference to my confidence going into the summer and for London.”

 

And when the training stops and those 26 miles loom, what is Phoebe most looking forward to?

 

“I can’t wait to soak up the support along the course,” she admits. “I’ll be running the marathon with my dad,” (who was running alongside her during that very first Chaplain’s Challenge).

 

“We run together often, so we’re used to supporting each other and keeping each other going when it starts to hurt. Having him there, together with the incredible crowd, will be the biggest thing that gets me through. It will feel like a shared achievement.”