Tips I wish I’d known before my first marathon, according to Yorkshire runners

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You may have entered your first marathon this year, and no matter how much you prepare beforehand, it’s nearly impossible to anticipate exactly what will happen on the day.

There are many runs taking place across Yorkshire and beyond this year, and there’s a fair chance a great many newcomers have chosen one to be their first official event.

In 2023, over 10,000 people took part in the Rob Burrow Leeds marathon with this year’s event set to be even larger. Then there’s the London marathon, which is taking place on April 21, and attracts around 48,000 runners from all over the globe.

26.2 miles is a daunting distance, but the challenge can be part of the enjoyment – take it from these marathon veterans, who have come together to share their first-hand advice and knowledge.

‘Plan your fluid intake properly – and find a running buddy’

The piece of advice I’d would give anyone starting their marathon journey would be find a friend to run with.

Not only does it become a social thing, but when you make a commitment to go for a run with someone you always go, whatever the weather, and don’t make an excuse to stay in. That’s by far the best way to make sure you do your training miles.

And on the day of the race, plan your fluid – and food or gel – intake. I didn’t, it was the one thing I didn’t prepare properly. So, late in the run I drank too much, including an isotonic drink, that I then threw back up!

Dave, 61, Nun Monkton.

‘Training can be lonely and long’

The main thing I wish I’d known was how the training would be. It can be lonely and long – it’s very hard and it’s a serious commitment.

But crossing the finish line with my daughter negated all the hard work. I was just so proud of her, and to share the experience together.

Simon, 59, Harrogate.

‘Check the route to work out the difficult parts’

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I ran the Manchester marathon in 2017 and really wish I checked the route in more detail. I actually ran on the day without earphones because it said there would be crowds and didn’t recommend them.

The route went out of Manchester city centre so on the 20 – 21st mile or so there was a long stretch of running by fields with no spectators, water stops or people handing out sweets and I was pretty close to stopping because I was tired and lacked motivation.

If I checked the route, I would have probably known this would be the most difficult part. I also wish I’d done longer training runs – the extra 10 miles on the day was killer.

Nick, 28, Leeds.

‘The support of fellow runners and the crowd is the best motivation’

There’s a special energy on event days, and everyone gets behind the runners which is the best motivation to keep going.

It’s hard to explain how much it actually helps though, you really have to experience it. Whether it’s a runner giving you words of encouragement or the crowd cheering you on, it can be the difference between pushing on or stopping.

 Lydia, 44, Ripon.

‘Invest in a quality set of headphones that will last the whole run’

 I wish I’d known to invest in a pair of wireless headphones that had a longer battery life, as mine died around mile 19 or 20.

For me, this was the stage of the marathon where I was really struggling and only being able to hear shoes pounding the floor and my heavy breathing was even more mind-numbing.

Tom, 22, York.

‘You have to sacrifice a lot of hours but completing it makes every second worth it’ 

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No amount of training can truly prepare you for how challenging a marathon is. Every inch of your body will tell you to stop, but knowing you can overcome that is pretty monumental.

It’s a real commitment and you have to be prepared to sacrifice a lot of hours to train. But, ultimately, it’s an endurance sport – it’s not meant to be easy – and knowing you’ve completed it makes every second of training worth it.

Also if possible, do the marathon with someone else. Training can get lonely and it’s hard to keep only yourself motivated. I wouldn’t have even signed up for a marathon if it wasn’t for my dad, let alone have crossed the finish line without him running it by my side.

 Flora, 24, Harrogate.

‘My friend said marathons were addictive, and she was right’

I wish I’d known that my experienced runner friend Kate was right, and that running marathons is addictive, when I said I was only going to do one.

Now 14 marathons later I realise how important that was. Although you have to train hard and running 26 miles is a long way, just finishing one gives you a real sense of achievement and the pain is quickly forgotten.

Nev, 60, North Yorkshire.

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Team of four to cycle the distance of ‘Harrogate to Monaco’ in memory of late friends

Four Harrogate friends are to team up and cycle 1,573km on stationary bikes to raise money for charity after the death of two close friends.

Henry Bartle, Ollie Ward, Joe Braham and Jeremy Butterfield will collectively cycle the distance of Harrogate to Monaco within 24 hours in time for the Grand Prix.

The money will be raised in memory of James Hindmarsh and David Brown, who both passed away last year.

All four of the group will cycle at the same time on May 27 and will aim to complete 16km every hour, then will rest the remaining time of the hour.

Jeremy Butterfield, a close friend of James and David, said:

“Both James and Dave loved F1 so it was only right we all ‘travelled’ to the Monaco Grand Prix this year.

“James and Dave never gave up in their fights and we will continue their legacies to help others fight the challenges they are facing.

“Every cycle of the bike they will be with us (probably with a smile and a Peroni in hand). Forever in our hearts James & Dave, we love you and we will make it to Monaco together.”

James Hindmarsh (left) and David Brown (Right)

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James passed away from a rare form of cancer in 2021, whilst David lost his battle with covid last December.

Half of the funds raised from the bike ride will be donated to Leeds Hospitals Charity, who will allocate it to Leeds Cancer Centre.

Jeremy said:

“This was a centre that was very close to James’ heart. The money raised will go towards support and help for others fighting the same fight our best mate did so bravely.”

The other half of the funds will be donated to The David Brown Foundation.

Jeremy added:

“Dave was the most thoughtful, caring, gentle and humble human who did so much for children and teenagers across the district. We will follow on in Dave’s footsteps and support children’s education across the UK.”

Last year, the four friends took part in three marathons in three days, a ski tour and climbed the three peaks. They initially tried to raise the money for James’ treatment, but as he died they decided to donate the £33,275 to the Sarcoma charity.

The cycle will take place in the window of Rocca, Harrogate. You can donate to the #DOIT4JAMES&DAVID page here. 

 

120 marathons in 120 days: Harrogate man set for Herculean challenge

A retired Harrogate police officer is set to take on the Herculean feat of completing 120 marathons in 120 days.

Graham Wilson, 54, intends to walk and run 26.5 miles a day every day for four months, starting in his hometown of Harrogate on Saturday.

The 120 marathons challenge, which is the equivalent of 3,180 miles, is back on track after a 15-month delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

His wife Marion and dog Tilly will support him from the sidelines for the next four months and will also join in at times.

After starting in Harrogate, Graham will complete three marathons in North Yorkshire before heading off in a van across 48 counties in England.

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He also plans to cover the marathon distance in parts of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of the Republic of Ireland, if covid travel rules permit.

The last marathon will be in Harrogate on October 23. So far, Graham has raised more than £40,000 for 15 charities. He said:

“I’ve always been into long-distance hiking. Now that I’ve retired from the police I want to do something to raise money for charities which I’ve come across.

“This includes the British Heart Foundation, which I’ve got a personal connection to after my dad experienced a heart attack when he was just 39.

“He sadly later passed away from a cardiac arrest, and I’ve also lost grandparents to heart disease too.

“I know the devastating impact these conditions can have and how important the BHF’s research is in finding better treatments and preventions to save more lives.”

The marathon challenge will also support Macmillan Cancer Support, Tiny Life, Saint Michael’s Hospice, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Living with CAH, Harrogate Homeless Project, Disability Sports Yorkshire, and numerous art groups.

You can donate here.

Former Ripon student to run 48 marathons in 48 days

A former Ripon Grammar School student is to run 48 marathons in 48 days to raise £48,000 for children in food poverty.

John Clark’s own family struggled to survive on benefits, after his father suffered life-changing injuries in a work accident.

The 34-year-old will attempt to run the 48 marathons in a different county every day for a grand total of 1,248 miles.

Photo of John Clark

John Clark from his school days at Ripon Grammar.

Former international strongman Mr Clark set up the charity Miles4Meals to help families facing the same issues that he did as a child.

He explained why he is attempting the extreme feat of endurance:

“I grew up in a household with a disabled father and a mother who was his full-time carer.

“We lived in food poverty, reliant on government support to make ends meet.”

His life changed when his father Alan, a roofer, broke his back and shattered his foot in a fall after scaffolding collapsed.

Mr Clark said:

“I understand the difficulties families face and the hard choices that need to be made with minimal budgets available for basic living expenses.

“I hope to make a difference, so others don’t have to experience the same as I did.”

The coronavirus pandemic has increased problems faced by families across the UK with an estimated 8.4 million people living in food poverty.

Mr Clark, who left Ripon Grammar in 2003, owns and operates a chain of gyms.

He is appealing for volunteers and supporters to help him along the way in their local county, starting in Northumberland on July 5. reaching North Yorkshire on July 16 and eventually finishing in Worcestershire on August 21.

After leaving Ripon Grammar, Mr Clark studied sports and exercise science at university and took up strongman competitions after breaking his neck in a scrum collapse, which left him unable to play rugby.

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Now living in Worcester, he was crowned Britain’s Natural Strongest Man in 2015 and 2016, and when further injury curtailed his strongman career, the former Malvern Rugby Union player took up triathlon.

The Miles4Meals charity, which he set up in May, also works with the Trussell Trust, which campaigns to end hunger and destitution by supporting more than 1,200 food banks in the UK.

For more information visit: www.miles4meals.co.uk/484848. You can follow Mr Clark’s journey on Instagram www.instagram.com/_john.clark