#TeamWinston runner, Sarah, will be taking on London Marathon on April 22nd, along with lots of other awesome individuals to help support Winston’s Wish. We wanted to find out a little bit more about Sarah, and her thoughts on the upcoming event!

What is your previous running experience? 

I was not born to run and I am more of a plodder than a jogger!  Over the last 10 or so years I have done numerous (slow) 5 & 10 km and 5 years ago I did my first half marathon.  Little did I know that 3 months later my brother would die, leaving behind 3 young girls. Since then running has become my therapy!  2 years ago I completed my 2nd half marathon and last year I completed my first marathon.               

Why did you choose to run for bereaved children and why did you choose to support Winston’s Wish?     

My bereavement following the death of my brother was the hardest thing that I have had to deal with as an adult.  I can only imagine how difficult losing a parent as a child can be.  Whilst supporting my nieces in the 5 years following Bryn’s death I turned to Winston’s Wish.  As a family, we are using their book ‘Beyond the rough rock’ to support my youngest niece who turned 4 the day after Bryn’s death.  She is now 8 years old.  My bothers family live in North Wales where specific support for families following a death by suicide is not readily available.  By supporting Winston’s Wish my hope is that they can continue to support bereaved families across the UK and in particular in more rural areas of the UK.                                                                                                                 

What are you looking forward to most about the marathon? 

2018 has been all about my marathon training and fundraising for Winston’s Wish.  My 16-week training programme started on January 1st. Since then I have clocked up over 325 miles and surpassed my fundraising goal of £2000.  The last 26.2 miles is just the icing on the cake!                                                                                             

Anything in particular that stands out to you about the London Marathon?

London Marathon is iconic and one of the best in the world.  I will be running alongside (or rather several hours behind) some of the best runners in the World.  If there was one marathon I was going to run then it had to be London.  It’s going to be emotional!