I never ever thought I could run a marathon, I would think about going for a run, do 3 miles and be puffed with sore legs. How can anyone run a marathon?

However, after some inspiration from a friend I decided I would enter my first marathon, Loch Ness. Training was hard but I made the start line and finished in 3h29m. Thrilled with this I would enter the ‘Good for Age’ at London (as London seems to be on every runners list)

Training started in January 2018 and it was then when I thought about doing some fund raising, I have never done anything before for charity so it seemed fitting when running the most prestigious marathon in the world. There are a few reasons why I chose Willberry Wonder Pony

1. Hannah was an eventer and an inspiration, her story is so well known among the horsey community. I admire someone so brave and also her family for keeping her legacy going.
2. My Dad had cancer when I was 13 and sadly passed away. He was brave and adventurous, lived his life to the full and I want to do the same.
3. I wanted to raise money for a small charity. Charities pay a huge amount of money for places in the London Marathon (which is totally wrong) however, every single penny I raised will go to Willberry Wonder Pony and hopefully make a huge difference to someone’s life.

Race day arrived and I was so up for it, however the baking heat that was about to hit me I was not ready for. The first ½ was ok got there in 1h44m, the crowds had been great and I had taken water at every stop. Got to mile 20 and the heat was unreal, legs had gone a bit dead and I was really struggling to focus. Pushed on and made it to mile 25 in 3h27m but sadly next thing I woke up with my legs in the air and first aiders round me. I couldn’t believe it, I wanted to cry but tears wouldn’t come, I had let everyone down. So that’s where I thought my London Marathon experience was ending but luckily for me the doctor allowed me to complete the race after self discharging. They told me to walk but that wasn’t happening, I ran the last mile and made it home in 5hrs!

The time however is irrelevant, I have learnt a lot and I am so hugely proud to have raised so much money for such a worthy cause! I hope my words can inspire someone else to do something challenging for Willberry Wonder Pony, I felt honoured telling people about the charity.

Inspired by Emma's story? Head here to find out how you can get involved with fundraising for us.