London marathon: And they’re off!

This year Save the Children has over 50 runners in the London Marathon on Sunday 17, all of them raising valuable money for our life-saving and life-changing work.

I’m at the London Excel centre for the second day of the London Marathon Exhibition — a place for all participants to collect their race numbers, plus have a look around at all the stands. There is a real buzz in the air at the Expo, as everyone is getting excited and nervous about the big day!

It has been a real pleasure to meet some of the runners over the last few days and to hear what running for Save the Children means for them, and also how fun (yet painful!) their training has been!

I’ve met Dr Marjory Foyle, aged 89, who walks the route of the London Marathon every year in aid of Save the Children. She’s such an inspirational lady — and is hoping to carry on walking the route until she’s 100!

Olympian Jo Pavey, one of our Save the Children ambassadors, was definitely Born to Run! She will also be whizzing by in the elite pack. I chatted with her after she spoke to the Expo crowd and it was fantastic to hear about her support of Save the Children. Look out for her in a purple top and black shorts on the big day.

I’m also looking forward to meeting Mengi Ayele, who has raised a fantastic amount for our EveryOne campaign in his home country Ethiopia. He has seen the impact Save the Children’s work has on his local community and is thrilled to have been able to raise so much by doing what he loves — running.

I’ve also met Jessica Eagar who has raised around £9000 for Save the Children by organising loads of different types of events. Her old school even did a mini-mile race in support of her fundraising.

I always get quite emotional on marathon day seeing all the runners, who have worked so hard in both fundraising and training, geting inspiration and energy from the crowd to get through the next few miles!

Cheer our runners on

On the big day you can see them too! We have two cheering points on Sunday:

• Surrey Quays, on Redriff Road, near mile 9

• on the river at the Embankment, near the tube station and Hungerford Bridge, at mile 25

Come join us!

If you want more information e-mail events@savethechildren.org.uk . We hope to see you there!