Taking on the World's Biggest Marathon

Action Against Hunger’s Head of Events & Community Fundraising, Caroline Crowther, went above and beyond the call of duty to show her support for the organisation’s Virgin London Marathon participants …… by donning her trainers and running vest to join them and take on the challenge herself!

Here we find out how Caroline got on and what was going through her head during those long 26 miles.

So Caroline, congratulations on completing the Virgin London Marathon in 5 hours, 8 minutes! How did you find it?

Thank you! It went really well – it was an amazing day. You train as hard as you can and prepare for months but you never really know how you’re going to feel on the day. I was so nervous at the start line but it’s true what they say - the crowds really do get you round. It makes such a difference - when your legs want to give up, someone is there cheering you on and somehow you manage to keep going.

I just feel so ridiculously proud of myself. I never imagined I could do it. It was so surreal and I couldn’t believe that I was a part of it – it’s the biggest fundraising event in the world. It was very emotional and I was bordering on tears the whole way round.

It was so amazing to see the Action Against Hunger cheering squads at miles 13 and 22. It made such a massive difference. You feel like you can’t go on and then suddenly they make you realise that you can.

What made you decide to enter the Virgin London Marathon and how did you train for it?

I watched my dad run two marathons when I was little and I’ve worked for charities since I left university, so it’s something I’d always wanted to do. When I got in the ballot, I thought ‘it’s now or never’. 

I started training from nothing and built it up gradually, running three times a week. I remember on the very early runs, having serious doubts about whether I could do it or not. It was really daunting at the beginning. The training could also be really boring and lonely, but my biggest motivation was the absolute fear that if I didn’t keep training I wouldn’t be able to do the run on the day! I remember the day I first ran 5 miles – I was so proud of myself but then the reality hit me that I would need to do another 20!

The training definitely took over my life, which is something I hadn’t anticipated. But when you get to the big day, and you’re a part of it with all the runners and the crowds…..it was so worth it!

And did you do any fundraising?

Yes I did, and of course my chosen charity was Action Against Hunger! Together, my boyfriend and I raised £3,500, which we are chuffed with. Every day that I work here, I think that Action Against Hunger is more and more exceptional. Our teams are saving the lives of 5 million people around the world every year, and if that’s not enough to inspire you around the 26 miles, I don’t know what is!

What was the biggest highlight of your day?

For me it wasn’t about getting a good time, it was just about getting round and proving to myself that I could do it.

The highlight was getting my second wind at mile 22. I had just seen my Dad, my sister, Mum and friends in quick succession and for the first time all day, I felt like I could really do it. I was nearly there and even if I had to crawl for the final four miles, I could finish it.

How did you feel the next day?

Awful! My legs and back were aching and I was absolutely shattered. My body wouldn’t behave quite how I wanted it to. But none of that could spoil my over riding feeling of absolute achievement. I did it and I am so unbelievably proud of myself!

Will you be doing another marathon any time soon?

No! I’m so happy that I’ve done it but that’s enough for the time being! I’ll give someone else a go now because it really is an amazing thing to be a part of and I would recommend that everyone should experience it.

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