London Marathon 2025 ‘Scorchio’

A large well supported TRAC team turned up for London this year. Did the warm weather affect them? Read their race reports to find out….

Mark Baker-Milner – 
As always, London didn’t disappoint, the atmosphere was electric the whole way round. It wasn’t the sub 4 that I’d hoped for, and the conditions definitely got the better of me in the second half.

Nikki Boyes – 
Apart from a seemingly never ending cold the training sessions had gone pretty well for this years London. Having achieved a pb in NY last year I wasn’t too worried about it this time but still had the aim to achieve another sub 4. After training in chilly windy weather for 3 months, of course race day arrived with a mini heatwave! Goals adjusted I set off with Jo and Julie at the pace we had decided on. 10 miles in I started to feel that the heat was getting to me. Pace adjusted, I was still struggling a bit and had real trouble getting the gels down and didn’t take enough. The showers along the route were really welcome as was the encouragement of the spectators on all parts of the course. After a loo stop (not the nicest of portaloos!) at mile 18 I knew a sub 4 was not going to happen and tried to focus on enjoying the run and just getting to the end. Seeing traccie friends and family in those final few miles really gave me the boost I needed to get to the finish line. Possibly the hardest marathon I’ve done, but so rewarding to feel mentally strong enough to get over that finish line in one piece. Never again I said – oh until next year! 

Jack Bradley – 
So, there I was at the start line, feeling like a coiled spring… a slightly sweaty spring, given the early heat! My plan? Take it steady in the first 10k. I was determined not to get sucked into the early race day madness and burn out before the fun even began. I just tucked in with the masses, letting the collective energy and the cheers of the crowd give me a nice, easy ride for a bit.
It felt like the sun had decided to join the party a little early, so I figured a more chilled approach might just be the ticket to not completely melting later on. The halfway point arrived in a blur of sweaty faces and rhythmic pounding, and I was feeling… okay-ish. Legs weren’t screaming, but they were definitely having a word with me about the rising effort levels.
I had a little internal debate about putting the hammer down, picturing myself gliding effortlessly to glory (spoiler alert: that didn’t happen). I gave it a nudge, trying to pick up the speed, but I didn’t get the response I was after. My body was basically saying, “Nope, we’re good here.”
That’s when the little voice in my head piped up – the one that usually saves me from complete implosion. It pointed out that my dream finish time was waving goodbye in the distance, and even my slightly less ambitious goals were starting to look a bit wobbly. Plus, the weather was quickly morphing from “warm” to “full-on sauna.”
So, I made a tactical retreat. Think less “elite athlete digging deep” and more “sensible human deciding not to expire.” From 16 miles, I eased right off, deciding to enjoy the scenery (and the water stations!) for the remaining distance. It was a steady jog to the finish from that point.
The clock wasn’t exactly my best friend on the day, but sometimes you’ve just got to roll with the punches (or the heatstroke warnings). If I’d tried to be a hero at halfway, I probably would have ended up face-planting somewhere around mile 20. And honestly, the thought of that wasn’t exactly filling me with joy.
The silver lining? I’m writing this on Monday, and my legs feel surprisingly sprightly. I’ve banked a great training run, with the best supporters, and I’m ready to go again. So, no regrets. I’ll be back for another go when the weather’s feeling a bit less enthusiastic. Consider this one a recce mission for a cooler day!

Jacquie Brazil – 
The best thing I have ever done xx stopped by many to discuss gradual driving licence…run with Joe wicks for 20 mins who was interested to hear about gdl …saw Gordon Ramsey but seeing Laura Thomas meant more xx and saw her twice xx I love you Laura xxx was way too hot for this 59 year old xxx hearing my name was amazing xx if I had not kept having to stop and chat I would have been near my goal of 5 hours xx but …I beat Joe wicks xxx thankyou to all my running family xx you are in my heart xx and in my blistered feet xx just waiting for my toes to drop off xx ps never put ice in your bra

Chris Brenchley – 
London Marathon 2025 Christopher Brenchley.
If only you could race a marathon from home and leave when the conditions are perfect and you’re ready, I’ll skip to the running part! The first miles in London always give you a false sense of feeling fresh and going downhill, and mostly shade from the buildings. It was great to merge with the other start routes and catch a few strides with Lee Hardy before leaving him to run ahead. Cutty Sark and Tower Bridge were the usual highlights for me, catching a glimpse of a few traccie supporters to give me a boost before the long slog into Wapping and twisting around the Isle of Dogs. Turning into the warm sun, now resorting to pouring water on me as well as in me, started to remind me of many marathons where you know it’s a ‘get round and enjoy’ sort of day rather than a PB chance. At mile 22, I was glad I was running and not pushing for a time, as I was spent, but strangely going past many runners who had sadly overcooked themselves. A lovely sunny day to receive my 11th London medal in the city, and great to meet up with Alex, Jack, and Lee on the grass after for some banter and to spend some time soaking up the atmosphere with friends, I guess this is the bit you don’t get if you did just run from home! Well done to all the runners, fundraisers, and ‘wow’, finding out about a new TRAC ladies record holder.

Elliott Cobb-Webb – 
The London marathon has always been the one marathon I wanted to do. But to do so by running in a ridiculous costume for charity in memory of my Dad has made it such an incredible experience! It was a very hot day and with niggles in my knee and legs and a run walk strategy, I am super proud to have made it around the course! The atmosphere was incredible and a massive shout out to all the runners and supporters on the course! We smashed it!!

Alex Dugard – 
After a dream debut in the marathon last year I very wrongly assumed that my progression as a runner and a marathoner would just steadily continue. The marathon, though, continues to humble those like myself that have such foolish dreams.
Sixteen weeks of hard training led me to believe that I had the chance of a personal best over the distance. However, with the marathon, there are only a few things that you can control yourself. There are many variables that are simply out of your control and no doubt you will hear endless stories from those who took part or even spectated on Sunday so I will not say too much, but needless to say it was very hot out there on Sunday – certainly not the conditions for a personal best. Those who did manage a personal best deserve so much recognition for their efforts. For me, I knew it was going to be difficult but I also felt that the real failure would be not to try. I owed it to myself to at least try; I had trained harder and better than ever, so I tried, I really tried… however it was not meant to be.
Around the half way point things started to get really tough. I knew my A goal of sub 2:40 had gone so I thought it might be possible at this point to get a small personal best, a 2:42 perhaps, however at 34K the heat got the better of me and I started to cramp. From then until the finish I was battling some demons. I was expecting to see family around mile 23/24, and I was seriously contemplating seeing them and stepping off the course. I was continually battling these thoughts inside my head but I pride myself on never quitting, in anything in life, no matter how hard things get, you just have to keep going. So I may not have achieved a personal best but I am immensely proud of myself for finishing and never has receiving a finishers medal felt better! 
I was also incredibly proud to represent the club and wear the club vest on Sunday. The support from fellow club members on course was incredible and without a doubt, I would not have made it to the finish without it. Well done to everyone else who ran. I am sure everyone will have their own stories to tell and I look forward to reading about their experiences.
Even though it was a tough day, I will never forget it and London Marathon is truly something you have to experience at least once in your life – there is nothing else quite like it!

Asmaa Hatim – 
London marathon- 3.38.34 
It wasn’t the time I hoped for, but the experience was everything I could’ve wished and more. The energy and the support in the streets of London was unreal. 
So grateful to have the ability to do this crazy business- 26.62
Thankyou TRAC for the club entry 

Jo Holl – 
Marathon day arrived just as predicted—blue skies and warm sunshine. Nikki, Julie, and I chose the new Green Start, which meant no bag drop, but it was worth it to be in the same starting area. It’s always a comfort to be surrounded by friends at the start line.
The promised hot drinks and free snacks were a lovely touch—though the loo queues were another story! A huge thanks to the kind group who let us jump ahead so we could make a final dash before the gun.
We all began together but naturally found our own rhythms as the miles ticked by. The heat made things tough at times, but the cooling showers along the course were very welcome, and I made full use of every hydration station.
It was fantastic seeing so many TRACCIES out on the route cheering us on—it really does lift your spirits and spur you forward.
With no time goals going in, I was really pleased with my result, especially given the warm conditions. I even had a quick chat with the amazing Adele Roberts around mile 14, though she powered on after I paused to help a fellow runner who’d taken a fall.
There were definitely some challenging stretches, but overall, I loved the experience. Massive thanks to all the supporters along the way—and to Jon, who never stops encouraging me.

Ruby Jones – 
What a day the London marathon was for me! it’s no secret I’ve been training to break the 3 hours, and London was going to be an attempt. I like the London course as you get the small bottles of water with the sports cap so I was able to hydrate well in the heat, I kept a small bottle with me pretty much the whole run and sipped the water all the way around. My husband and daughter were going to be at mile 16, I started out at target pace and felt comfortable so I said stay at this pace until mile 16, then we’ll worry about getting to 20. I saw them and it gave me a boost, I concentrated on getting to 20 and then I said to myself we’ll worry about the last 6 when we get to 20, I got to 20, still feeling good and still holding pace, I said get to 23 at this pace then we’ll worry about the last 3, got to 23 and then just picked off those last few miles still holding pace. As I’ve turned on the Mall, I knew the timer above the finish line was more or less real time as I’d started just after the elite men, when I saw the timer was 2:57 and knew I had probably 40 seconds ahead of that I was just absolutely filled with emotion and had a little cry that I’d actually done it, I couldn’t believe it! I had such a great race and thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish

Julie Williams – 
I was trying for a marathon pb of 3.45 and felt really positive after my training. When Jo, Nikki and I met at the green start, it was already warm and in hindsight I maybe should have adjusted my target. First half of the race was hard but on track, then cramps set in both calves. Tried stretching and lucozade but by mile 18 had seized up and rolled gently to lie on the pavement! Thanks to very kind pedestrians hauling me up again, I managed to jog and walk to a 4.10 finish. Not what I wanted but was overwhelmed by everyone’s kindness and support.

Wow! What a day!! Thank you so much for all the interesting reports.

Congratulations to Elliott who incredibly ran around in that heat inside a bone costume. What a legend!

Stand out performance of the day has to be from Ruby Jones who not only endured the heat but smashed out a Sub 3 marathon, got a big PB and took the Ladies Marathon Club Record.

If I’ve missed you out. Sorry. Just send me your report/photos and I’ll add to the post.

(Lee Hardie the bird whisperer)

RESULTS

Jim Allen – 4:04:42

Mark Baker-Milner – 04:29:01

Nikki Boyes – 04:05:36

Jay Bracken – 05:06:51

Jack Bradley – 02:42:11

Jacquie Brazil – 05:40:27

Chris Brenchley – 03:00:46

Simon Clayton – 04:46:06

Elliott Cobb-Webb – 04:48:32

Alex Dugard – 02:45:44

Lee Hardie – 02:51:44

Asmaa Hatim – 03:38:34

Jo Holl – 03:47:50

Paul Kinlan – 04:17:45

Peter Johnson – 04:40:23

Amanda Nicholls – 05:18:45

Rachel Patterson – 05:14:09

Andy Philpott – 04:21:30

David Riordan – 05:15:44

Ruby Jones – 02:56:21 – SUB 3, PB and a New Club Record

Julie Williams – 04:10:15 – PB

Dave Winch – 04:04:27 (3^rd overall in age category 75-79)