What distinguishes a Marathon running event from all the other hundreds you might be able to take part in? Why bother with the whole slog of training? Why not choose the more manageable race sizes that can actually fit into your schedule without changing anything? These may be three good questions. But they have easy answers all of which testify to how and why a marathon is worth every second.
1. It’s a really special run
There is something really incredible about marathons. It is utterly filled to the brim with an atmosphere of achievement, happiness and support. There is something wonderful in the endless supply of people who are there for others — whether it’s runners fundraising for charities, spectators cheering from the sidelines, or strangers simply being friendly, the whole community seems to come together to celebrate every gruelling hour you’ve spent working your way to that start (and finish) line.
2. It’s an amazing (CV worthy) life achievement
Completing a marathon is the ultimate life goal. You’ll always remember that you did it, how hard you worked for it and the sense of achievement you had after completing it. Demonstrating quite a few of the qualities employers no doubt look for, it makes for even a completely legitimate thing to have on your CV.
3. You’ll feel fabulous
Marathon training will clean you out and up. It will tone you massively, you’ll likely lose excess weight, feel lighter on your feet and you will just be that bit stronger. You’ll find everything from walking up stairs to dancing slightly more pleasurable as you exist with a general level of fitness that just makes life easier.
4. It is just generally healthy
Running will lower your cholesterol. It will strengthen your heart. It will deal with high blood pressure. And it will harden your immune system. All in all you’ll be a healthier you without even paying for it in butter-less toast.
5. It will give you an absolute life focus
Either you’re in need of something to kick your life into a bit of structure, or you need a break from the monotony of your very structured office work. Marathon training can be the ultimate remedy — true, it’s time consuming, but not unmanageably so. You can absolutely fit it in to ordinary days in a way that simply forces you to be more efficient and productive with your time. There are definitely more hours in the day that you think, and training for something as momentous as a marathon will force you to realise (and enjoy) that.
6. You’ll sleep better
It’s not just the night after the race that you’ll (well-deservedly) sleep like a baby. The runner’s privilege is being able to fall into bed and that being the end of it. To be physically rather than mentally tired serves as the ultimate gift— you’ll wake up more refreshed, work more productively and hopefully won’t need the routine morning double espresso anymore.
7. You’ll improve your diet
Eating a little better when running or feeling fit is a natural progression. You no longer fancy the greasy burger in the same way as you did before. But you also don’t have the guilt if you do. You’ll probably end up eating food that keeps you feeling great, and not feel it as any kind of sacrifice (it really is one of life’s biggest mysteries).
8. You’ll even explore your local area
Running around your local area for marathon training is one of its perks. Training is too long to do in the gym on the treadmill, and you’re forced outside for a little variation at the very least. You will probably find that you don’t ordinarily seem to have the time to explore your city, and be amazed by what you see — including realising how short the distances you travel on the underground travel system really are. It’s a pretty amazing wake-up to how little you knew about the place you live before.
9. It will give you a love of running
You might swear off all marathons as soon as you’ve completed one. But you will also be fit enough that running shorter distances will seem easy and you’re unlikely to give up running altogether. Once you’ve achieved a certain level of fitness, you’ll find that the hard-work of running is no longer the painful experience it always was. And usually you need a goal to motivate you to get to that point. So if you want to set yourself up as a runner, booking onto a marathon is a pretty good place to start.
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The Challenges Women Face in Running and How It Impacts Participation
Running is often lauded as one of the most accessible sports—just lace up your trainers and go. However, for many women, the barriers to participation go far beyond the logistical. While safety concerns are frequently highlighted, deeper systemic issues like access to the sport and unequal treatment are also preventing more women from running. It was a topic keenly discussed at our In Her Stride panel held at the end of November, with key members of the female running community including Sophie Power, Tasha Thompson, Rehana Mawani and Emily Shane.
Running is often lauded as one of the most accessible sports—just lace up your trainers and go. However, for many women, the barriers to participation go far beyond the logistical. While safety concerns are frequently highlighted, deeper systemic issues like access to the sport and unequal treatment are also preventing more women from running. It was a topic keenly discussed at our In Her Stride panel held at the end of November, with key members of the female running community including Sophie Power, Tasha Thompson, Rehana Mawani and Emily Shane.
Before we kick things off however, we should highlight that female participation in running events is growing, and this is a great thing! According to data from Let’s Do This, women in their 20s are the fastest-growing demographic in event participation this year. However despite this, women are still 16% less likely to run every week compared to men. This disparity is particularly striking given that women report higher levels of personal benefits from running, such as improved fitness, better sleep, and reduced stress.
The reasons for this are complex and personal, however we have broken down three key challenges discussed during our panel and the solutions explored that could help address them.
1. The Pressure of Pace
One of the biggest hurdles for many women is the pressure to run faster. Despite the average UK woman’s running speed of 06:37 min/km (according to Strava), most run clubs don’t cater to this with the slowest pace often around 6 minutes per km. Add to this the relentless focus on personal bests and fast times on social media, and it’s no surprise that many women feel too intimidated to join in.
Thankfully, there are starting to be more people rebelling against this speed obsession, including our panelist, Emily Shane. Emily has been leading the charge to encourage more women to disregard pace and focus on the experience of running to drive uptake amongst women. Initiatives like events without cutoff times and more inclusive pace groups at running clubs are vital to creating a more welcoming environment and broadening the benefits of running to the experience and community.
2. Perception of Sport in Schools
One of the topics hotly discussed was how for many girls, the barriers to enjoying physical activity start at school. Puberty, coupled with changing bodies and fluctuating emotions, can make sports feel daunting and uncomfortable for teenage girls. Research highlights this disparity: only 38% of girls enjoy sport and exercise compared to 53% of boys, and just 26% of girls feel confident in physical activity versus 43% of boys.
The panel emphasised the need to address this such as:
- Introducing a wider variety of sports and fitness activities to cater to different interests
- Providing more supportive and confidence-boosting PE kits.
- Showcasing more female role models in sport to inspire young girls.
By addressing these issues at the school level, we can foster a love of sport that lasts into adulthood.
3. Treatment at Events
This is a topic that panelist Sophie Power, founder of SheRACES is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about. Even at organised running events, women often experience unequal treatment. From “unisex: t-shirts (which are actually designed for men) to a lack of sanitary products in portaloos, these "small things" can collectively make women feel like an afterthought. Prize money inequality and rigid event policies—like no deferral options for pregnant or postpartum women—further highlight these disparities.
Thankfully, initiatives like the 50:50 campaign by Threshold (a campaign to get 50% of women at Ultra startlines vs. the current average of 30%) and the advocacy work of SheRACES are driving change, and there are many amazing event organisers such as Maverick, Threshold, Why We Run and many more, that are working hard to make their events are inclusive as possible for women.
Despite these challenges, the panel and attendees felt overwhelmingly optimistic about the future of running for women and the benefits it brings us. Progress is being made, however we all need to add our voices to the conversation to help more women get into the sport and reap the benefits.
Some Helpful Resources
Here are a few helpful resources. This list isn’t exhaustive by any means, however is a good starting point for those looking for inspiration on where to start.
Female friendly events:
- Threshold Events
- London Landmarks Half Marathon
- Maverick Events
- Why We Run
- Women Run Series London 2025
Female Only Run Clubs
From Radio to Race Day: Hattie Pearson’s Path to Endurance Event Glory
Hattie Pearson is the type of person who doesn’t just dabble in fitness (or most things…!) She dives in headfirst, often with no hand-holding (except, perhaps, metaphorically). From her first triathlon in 2021 to a series of jaw-dropping endurance feats in 2024, she’s been redefining what’s possible with determination, community, and a big ‘YES’ attitude.
Hattie Pearson is the type of person who doesn’t just dabble in fitness (or most things…!) She dives in headfirst, often with no hand-holding (except, perhaps, metaphorically). From her first triathlon in 2021 to a series of jaw-dropping endurance feats in 2024, she’s been redefining what’s possible with determination, community, and a big ‘YES’ attitude.
Just say YES
Hattie’s ‘yes’ streak started when a friend and her decided to do a sprint triathlon together. “We had such a great time,” Hattie recalls, “and I was like, I want to do more of this.” That spark quickly turned into a blaze of ambition. By the following year, she was competing in Outlaw triathlons and even signing up for a full-distance Ironman—before completing her first half-distance event. “I didn’t give myself the choice to not carry on,” she says.
The Power of Community
For Hattie, discovering the 10IronWomen network—a group committed to gender parity in triathlons—was a game-changer. “It’s amazing to see a community encouraging women and non-binary folk to show up,” she explains. “Seeing others doing it made me think, I want to be a part of this.” That sense of solidarity and shared purpose has been a recurring theme, whether she’s lacing up for a winter triathlon in the Alps or a grueling ultra-marathon closer to home.
A Year of Big Goals
This year, Hattie set herself a dizzying list of challenges. She swam 500 kilometers (yep, that’s half a million meters!) and tackled a range of events, including a winter triathlon complete with ski touring, the Étape du Tour cycling challenge, and her first ultra-marathon. Each was hard in its own way—whether it was battling snowy trails with crampons or smashing out seven-and-a-half-minute miles for 13.1 miles. But for Hattie, the difficulty is the point. “Every time I achieve something I thought was impossible, I remind myself: I can do hard things.”
Balance and Burnout
With goals that ambitious, fitting it all in can be a challenge. Early mornings help. “I’m one of those people who can get up at 5:00 a.m,” Hattie admits, however it also takes a lot of discipline. With her work on Hits Radio starting later in the day, she carves out time for training, dog walks, and the occasional tantrum over broken goggles. “I’ve definitely had those ‘forgetting-my-swimming-costume’ moments,” she laughs. But her key to staying motivated is simple: keep it fresh and fun. Whether it’s joining her triathlon club for training or trying a completely new event, keeping it fun and different is the secret to staying motivated and on track to reach your goals.
Advice for Aspiring Endurance Athletes
For anyone looking to follow in her footsteps (or strokes), Hattie has this advice:
- Be patient. Results don’t come overnight, and the journey is as important as the destination.
- Stop comparing. “Your journey is completely your own. Social media only shows the highlights,” she reminds us.
- Find your community. Whether it’s a running club, a neighbor for early morning jogs, or an online network, accountability and camaraderie make all the difference.
What’s Next for Hattie?
In 2025, Hattie plans to tackle her first multi-day event, the Monster Triathlon. Admittedly it is as scary as it sounds, kicking off with a 5K swim in Loch Ness, followed by a 1,000-kilometer bike ride to Windsor, and wraps up with a casual 50K run to London(!). Her goals also include more open-water swimming, trail running, and maybe—just maybe—an even bigger endurance challenge. (Though definitely not swimming the English Channel: “No way am I swimming through jellyfish without a wetsuit!”)
Hattie Pearson’s journey is more than a personal triumph. It’s a testament to the power of showing up, saying yes, and proving that with the right mindset, anything is possible. Whether you’re tackling your first 5K or dreaming of an ultra-marathon, Hattie’s story is proof that the finish line is worth the hard miles. And when you cross it? You’ve won your race—medal or not. 🏅
Make your own electrolyte drink
Why spend on expensive sports drinks when you can make a natural, hydrating electrolyte drink right at home? With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a refreshing blend packed with essential minerals and hydration-boosting properties. Perfect for fueling your workout or post-run recovery, this homemade option keeps it natural, affordable, and effective.
Why spend on expensive sports drinks when you can make a natural, hydrating electrolyte drink right at home? With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a refreshing blend packed with essential minerals and hydration-boosting properties. Perfect for fueling your workout or post-run recovery, this homemade option keeps it natural, affordable, and effective.
Ingredients:
- 1 pinch of high-quality sea salt
- Small piece of fresh ginger, peeled
- 500ml coconut water (e.g., Rebel Kitchen)
- Juice of 1 lime
- Fresh mint leaves
Instructions:
- Prepare Salt & Ginger: Add a pinch of sea salt and the peeled ginger to a blender.
- Add Coconut Water & Lime: Pour in the coconut water, squeeze in the lime juice, and add a few mint leaves.
- Blend & Serve: Blend until smooth, pour into a glass, and garnish with extra mint. Enjoy your refreshing, hydrating drink!
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