London Marathon 2022 runners raise almost £40,000!

These runners put themselves through one of the most demanding physical challenges out there, all to help make lives better for the people we support.  

What is a marathon?

Strictly speaking, a marathon is a 26.2 mile distance. It’s like running from Croydon to Rochester, or from Leeds to Rotherham.  

When you hear the word marathon, what do you think of?  

Perhaps it’s images of cheering crowds and victorious runners with their medals, like these.

However, as our runners know, a marathon starts months before you pick up your medal.

A marathon is not just one, big run on the day. A marathon is made up of lots of long runs, where runners train through heat, rain and more – all without a cheering crowd in sight.  

That’s why United Response are so proud of our London Marathon runners. It’s not just about their work on the day, it’s about the many months of work that came before. Together, they have made an enormous difference to the lives of the people we support.  

Almost £40k raised at the London Marathon  

This year we had twenty runners who were willing to fundraise and push through every single mile for the people we support. Together they raised over £37,400, and the number is still going up! The money raised will make a huge difference to our charity.  

Deciding to run a marathon for a charity can make the run especially rewarding, but it can also be intimidating. Not sure where to start? Our runners said this about their experience:  

I think it’s really important to try and organise a few events.

People who haven’t donated before probably will closer to the time – even today there’s been about £100 donated!

Rhiannon

Fundraising is not difficult, but you have to start early. Once things started moving along over the last few weeks, I had my best fundraising effort ever. I also went to a talk run by the London Marathon for people running for charity and I got useful tips from there.

Joe  

524 marathon miles ran  

On the Marathon Day (Sunday 2 October), our runners ran 524 miles between them for United Response. Running a marathon might seem like an impossible goal, but 42,000 people managed the London Marathon this year. If they can do it, why can’t you? Here’s what our runners had to say about the training:

If you’re new to running don’t enter yourself for a full marathon straight away. Do stages like 10ks and half marathons, and when you’re comfortable with those, go for it.

Joe

You have to do your long runs. The only reason I felt okay today was that I stuck to those long runs. The amount I couldn’t always do because work and life gets in the way sometimes, but those long runs were the thing I stuck to, and that’s helped me. 

Hayley

Why should you run the London Marathon?  

Running a marathon is hard – we’ve definitely established that. But it’s also one of the most incredible, rewarding things you can do and the money you raise can change the lives of others.  

Here is what our runners had to say about their experience:  

The atmosphere was amazing, the whole way round, there was just so much support. People were just like ‘go on!’ and ‘you can do it!’ Everything is so well organised – the volunteers are incredible; they always have a smile on their face!

Rhiannon 

It was an amazing thing. Everyone always tells you that it’s an incredible experience, but the atmosphere really was electric. It was everything I thought it would be and more.

Hayley  

Crossing the finish line – that was brilliant.

Joe 

A huge thank you to all of our London Marathon runners 

Thank you to all of our runners for your hard work and dedication. Your efforts will make a big difference to people we support all around the country. We are so proud of and grateful for you.  

We would also like to thank the students from St Mary’s University and St Andrew’s Youth Club for their generous support on the day.  

• Ali Mills is Communications and Engagement Officer for United Response