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London Marathon


Congratulations to all of our 2008 runners who completed this year's marathon!! Thank you from all of us at WaterAid!

You can view pictures from the day on Flickr. Please contact us for permission to use these photos for anything other than personal use.



Run the 2009 London Marathon for WaterAid!

Running for WaterAid
Running for WaterAid in 2007
Photo credit: Oli Stewart

The 2009 London Marathon will be held on Sunday 26 April.

With over 35,000 runners taking to the streets of London it is one of the world's most prestigious and exciting sporting events.
 
This year we had a team of 100 participants running for WaterAid. The team raised around £100,000 - enough to provide over 6,650 people with life-changing clean water, effective sanitation and hygiene education.

In 2009 we aim to do even better and we need your help! Millions of people around the world face a daily marathon just to collect water. Every step you run with WaterAid brings those people closer to safe water and a better quality of life.

In return for your dedication and commitment to the marathon, WaterAid will be there to support you every step of the way with your preparations.



On this page:

>>What you receive as part of the WaterAid Team
>>Exclusive training day for all WaterAid runners
>>The fundraising challenge
>>How to apply for a place in the 2009 London Marathon
>>Own place runners
>>Past and present WaterAid runners spill the beans



What you will receive as part of the WaterAid team

In return for your dedication and commitment to the marathon, WaterAid will be there to support you every step of the way during your preparations. WaterAid runners receive:

  • An online sponsorship page

  • A dedicated monthly WaterAid Team newsletter including tips on training and nutrition, fundraising advice and runners' stories

  • A thorough fundraising information pack and running tips leaflet

  • Access to our fundraising internet resources, containing a vast array of fundraising ideas and support materials

  • Continuous advice and support from WaterAid's experienced events team

  • A coveted WaterAid running vest!

  • The opportunity to run in a WaterAid costume such as a WaterAid toilet, tap or a camel!

  • A festive post-race party where participants can meet their supporters, receive a well deserved sports massage and refuel on refreshments!

  • An exclusive training day for WaterAid runners, hosted by a personal trainer, with a practical session and tips on training, nutrition, pacing, and timing

Marathon training day

Stretching
Watch a slideshow of the training day.

Credit: WaterAid

We ran our first training day in February 2008, and it was a huge success. Everyone was inspired and motivated by the session, and left feeling excited and confident about the big day!

Simon Burden, personal trainer from Active Interest, did a great job of sharing his knowledge of marathon running, giving some useful training tips and a practical session on the running track - making sure everyone felt reassured and excited about the big day!

Just a week before setting off for his Sport Relief challenge, James Cracknell also took some time out to advise our runners. His top tip was, "Don't take last minute advice from strangers in the queue for the toilet!" When James took part in the marathon last year, someone in the queue for the toilet suggested he run really fast for the first stretch as it was down hill which turned out to be a big mistake! Last minute advice isn't always helpful so stick to what you know and what you're used to.

Check out a slideshow of the training day

Cecilia Owen:

"Personally, I found the track session really useful and it was a great way of assessing our planned pace for the day. I definately feel more motivated and excited since talking to other marathon runners. Not long to go but I am confident now that I can do it!"

Jon Giles:

"There are lots of elements to consider when training, and it seems the one I've been neglecting is slow, paced running; this will be my mainstay for the next few weeks - dull but worth it on the day I'm sure.

"Thank you ever so much to everyone involved in helping us through this, all your efforts really are very much appreciated! I hope to see you all again on the big day!"



The fundraising challenge

For many, completing the marathon is only half the challenge; fundraising takes some effort too. For those new to fundraising, Clemmie Perowne of Norwich has some reassuring words:

"I was so impressed with all the back-up, support and advice that WaterAid offered its runners. I loved the newsletter - which always boosted my motivation during training, as did the special section on the website. They were all so efficient too! I was so impressed by the lightning speed in which they responded to my emails and other enquiries."

Shaun Birdsall from Peterborough adds:

"Do It! WaterAid has been great, especially as I did not sign up until 2 weeks before the event. I will be, and already have been, recommending them. Several people, whom I vaguely know, sponsored me large amounts because they were impressed with the 77p of every pound that goes directly to the charitable causes, and not admin."



How to apply for a place in the 2009 London Marathon

There are two ways to apply for next year's marathon, and we encourage you to apply for a place via the ballot as well as through WaterAid.

1. London Marathon Online Ballot 
This year, all ballot entries will be via the online entry form.  The ballot opens on 13 April 2008 at www.london-marathon.co.uk . The ballot will close on the 5 September 2008, or when 120,000 applications have been received, so be quick!

2. Apply for a WaterAid place
To apply for one of our charity places we ask for you to set a fundraising target of £1,500. In return for this WaterAid will be there to support you every step of the way, providing regular support including news and information, training advice, fundraising ideas and lots of cheering! To be considered for one of WaterAid's charity places, please click on the orange button below:

Apply for a WaterAid place

Please note that we only have a limited number of places. For this reason we urge you to also apply for a place via the ballot.



Own place runners

If you are lucky enough to secure your own place in the 2009 Flora London Marathon, we'd be delighted for you to join our team and raise as much sponsorship as you can for WaterAid. To register for WaterAid please click on the orange button below:

Got your own place? Please run for WaterAid

We provide regular support for all the WaterAid team members including training advice, fundraising ideas and lots of cheering on the day.

To find out more contact the Events team by emailing events@wateraid.org or phoning 0845 6000 433.



Past and present WaterAid runners spill the beans

 

Gregor taking on the London Marathon

 

WaterAid's own Gregor Peterson tells all: Hear about how he handled the trials, tribulations and great rewards of running the 2008 marathon.


 

 

Jeremy King from London ran the marathon last year wearing one of our bucket head costumes:

Jeremy King
Bucket-head runner Jeremy King
Photo credit: Peter Bennett

"Very many thanks indeed to you and all of the WaterAid team for a fantastic day. Your support throughout was magnificent and the finishing party (especially the massage) was superb. It was also great to meet other runners and to talk through the run."

When asked about running with a bucket on his head:

"It was actually really quite comfortable! I almost forgot about it entirely after about five miles, other than the stream of comments from the crowd, such as 'Don't kick the bucket, you're looking a little pail!'"



Get in touch

For more information or details about our London Marathon team or any other events please contact WaterAid Events on 0845 6000 433 or email events@wateraid.org.

 

Online sponsorship on Justgiving

Create your sponsor page

Sponsor a friend

Event resources from WaterAid

Training tips

Where this crazy idea of running 26.2 miles came from
This race saw its inception after a Greek messenger from 400 BC ran from a town called Marathon to Athens, a distance of 26.2 miles or roughly 40 kilometres.
Assigned to report the victory of the Athenians over Persia, he arrived in Athens and cried, "We have won!" and then dropped dead. However, don't let this be a daunting story or stop your enthusiasm for the event. Chances are this messenger hadn't had the proper training, mindset or nutritional readiness that is needed to run that staggering distance.
Marathons can be fun to run in and a joy to complete if you take the necessary precautionary measures.
Adapted from essortment.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

Reverend Philip, photographed by Henry Timmis
Reverend Philip Young, pictured above, ran the 2005 marathon for WaterAid and loved it so much he came back to do it again in 2006 and 2007!

"I feel it is such a brilliant charity to be supporting.

"Running water and clean sanitation are such basic necessities of life and so it feels good to be able to help people in such an important way."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Training tips

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

Hear Gregor recount his marathon experience
WaterAid's own Gregor Peterson ran the 2008 marathon. Listen to him recount his experience!