On 3rd October 2021, 50,000 runners will have the chance to be a part of the biggest marathon ever staged anywhere in the world.
The virtual Virgin Money London Marathon will return this year, and CHSF have three places up for grabs!
The virtual London marathon will give participants the opportunity to take on the world’s greatest marathon wherever they are on the planet on October 3rd.
Runners in the virtual event will join a record 50,000 participants who will run the traditional Virgin Money London Marathon from Blackheath to The Mall.
The virtual Virgin Money London Marathon was held for the first time in 2020, when more than 37,000 runners, from all corners of the world, completed the race.
You can grab your virtual Virgin Money London Marathon place here
Heart Mums Mandy & Toni recently completed a virtual marathon for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund – here’s their story…
MANDY
When I got a text from my running buddy, friend, and fellow heart mom I thought she was crackers. I run – yes, I run – but only like 6 miles at a time. In 2019 I ran the Great North Run (half marathon) with this lovely lady, and I remember then thinking “WOW can I actually do this? I’ve never run that far before!”
And I did…and I felt AMAZING!!!! After the race I remember saying “I can’t imagine I’ll ever be able to run a marathon. It really is just not possible!” and the thought quickly dropped out of my head.
And then there I was, less than two years later agreeing to do a ‘Going Crazy in Lockdown Marathon’. Again, with the same crazy thoughts of can I actually do this? With like zero training?!
And here I am two weeks later writing this blog – I DID IT!!!
Having now recovered (sort of) I can honestly say this has to be one of my biggest challenges and achievements – I still cannot believe I ran 26 miles.
But we had some amazing people who believed we could, as we not only smashed our target of £500 but more than doubled it – raising an incredible £1,075.
Because our lovely friends and family believed in us and donated so generously this gave me the determination to succeed. I’m still so grateful to my lovely friend for believing in me – Toni is an inspiration, and it was an honour to run every mile with her.
I am bursting with pride and the feeling of completing a marathon is incredible! Go for it!! The satisfaction and feeling of such achievement is quite a craving (as crazy as that sounds!)
TONI
I like to do daft things from time to time (as my marathon buddy Mandy will now attest to) and all in the name of charity! Children’s Heart Surgery Fund is that charity as they are so close to my heart having helped me and my family when our son had open heart surgery over 4 years ago!
So, when lockdown was announced (again) in January 2021, my head started planning and a marathon was born!
I asked fellow heart mum Mandy to join me as we have done some running together before and I thought she’d be up for the challenge! I planned us a route and off we went on 20 February!
What an achievement to plan and run our own marathon and raise vital funds for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund!
All I can say is if you are thinking of doing a marathon, just do it! Yes, it’s hard but it’s an amazing feeling when you finish! And we smashed our initial target of £500 out the park!
A huge well done to Toni and Mandy for completing their virtual marathon for CHSF. Thank you to all the amazing family and friends of these fab heart mums who believed in them and donated!
FEELING INSPIRED?
The London Marathon is the largest one-day fundraising event on the planet and it’s now set to be even bigger as you can run the course your way, in your local area.
CHSF have three places available for the virtual Virgin Money London Marathon and one of them could be yours!
Sign up to run for CHSF here.
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