Latest news with #TheLondonMarathon
Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
This Morning host supported by co-star as he makes family health admission
This Morning star Craig Doyle received a heart-warming show of support from his co-host Rochelle Humes on Wednesday (May 28) as he shared news of his mother being in hospital. On today's episode of the popular ITV show, Craig and Rochelle delivered the latest updates from the UK and around the world. Following a chat with Deirdre Sanders about the upcoming phone-in segment on in-law issues, Craig took a moment to send his best to his mum in hospital. Deirdre said: "We're here to help with any in-law problem," prompting Craig to jest: "Don't know what she's talking about. My in-laws are perfect, morning Dorothy." Craig quickly added: "Can I say hello to my mum who's in hospital. Hello mum, how are you? Have you got the sound up? Good girl," reports Wales Online. Craig Doyle revealed that his mum was in hospital on Wednesday (May 28) Rochelle chimed in with a warm message: "Hello mum! Hope you're good. Love her." The duo were filling in for regular hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, who are taking a break during the half-term holiday. Earlier in the week, Paddy McGuinness and Alison Hammond had taken the reins. At the beginning of today's programme, Rochelle praised Craig for his achievement in last month's London Marathon. "You're stuck with Craig and I today, sorry about that," she said, before turning to Craig: "How are you? I've not seen you for a little while and we've got a lot to catch up on. "Since I've last seen you, you've taken on a big challenge and absolutely nailed it... The London Marathon." A photo was then displayed showing Craig proudly posing with his medal, alongside EastEnders icon Adam Woodyatt and TV host Jenni Falconer. Craig completed The London Marathon last month "Ah fantastic! [Jenni] had to have her knee up because it was sweaty day, let's just say," Craig shared about the marathon experience. "I haven't done one in about 20 years and I thought I was the same as I was 20 years ago, I'm definitely not. It was really, really tough, so congratulations to all of you who finished the marathon... I was slow, I enjoyed it, the crowds were unbelievable." In other segments of today's programme, Craig and Rochelle spoke to renowned opera singer Lesley Garrett, who revealed her private struggle with cancer. Additionally, Race Across the World contestants Fin and Sioned stopped by the studio to discuss the latest developments in the popular BBC travel show, while Sharon Marshall delivered the latest soap news directly from the set of Emmerdale. This Morning airs weekdays on ITV at 10am
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Travel + Leisure
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Travel + Leisure
These Are the Most Popular Marathons in Europe—and What It's Like to Run One
"How would you feel about running the London Marathon this year?" For any runner, this would usually be the dream text to receive. After all, the London Marathon is one of the six World Majors and is often celebrated as the most hype-inducing race in the world, thanks to a crowd that won't stop cheering until the last person crosses the finish line. But I received this text from my editor here at Travel + Leisure on Feb. 18, just shy of 10 weeks out from the marathon. As even novice distance runners know, the usual lead time for training is, at minimum, 16 weeks. But instead of saying no, I replied, "I think I can?" To which she replied, "You 100% can." That faith in me was all I needed to kick off the most hardcore training of my life—just as my 40th birthday landed, too. There's something else you should know about me before we go on. I am a researcher (i.e. proud nerd) to my core. I've been a journalist for 20 years and am actively finishing up a PhD. I love school and I love to science the crap out of anything I can. So, the day I received that text, I went into full academia mode, researching the best running apps to help me through (I landed on Runna, which uses AI to create a customized training plan based on previous race times and current running distances), nutrition expertise (I should probably now just get a PhD in carb-loading instead) and perfected the art of recovery, thanks in large part to Hot Cold Club, a new sauna and cold plunge spot here in my home city of Lisbon, Portugal. (If you didn't know, saunas have plenty of scientifically backed benefits, including improving recovery of neuromuscular performance and muscle soreness.) Stacey Leasca in her running gear. And then, I ran. And ran. And ran some more. I said "no" to every social event, I went to bed early, and I got up early to fit in long runs. I ran through the worst rainstorms Lisbon has seen in decades and ran 10 miles while visiting a mile-long island in the Maldives on my 40th birthday, meaning it was a very repetitive experience that tested my willpower more than my legs. To further help me through, I decided to raise money in support of the British Heart Foundation, the largest independent funder of heart and circulatory research in the UK, to honor the researchers and doctors who saved my dad's life following his heart attack. Though I put in the work over those 10 weeks, I felt nervous all the way—until I checked into my home base for the race, the Westin London City. And you should take my experience as all the research you need to know that this is the place to be if you decide to run the London marathon one day. Stacey Leasca during and after The London Marathon. Welcomed by a sea of yellow Westin T-shirts, I was embraced from the moment I walked through the hotel doors, everyone asking how they could take care of me and any other runner who walked by. "As a runner myself, I know firsthand the dedication it takes to train, travel, and race," Raffaele Ruocco, the hotel's general manager, told me. "The London Marathon is a true celebration of determination, resilience, and community, and at The Westin London City, we are passionate about supporting runners at every stage of their journey, from training through to recovery, helping them feel their best while pursuing their goals." That dedication included hosting a pre-race shakeout run, mixers for the runners in the lobby, a recovery area with compression leggings, and, once you finished the race, a glass of Champagne waiting at Hithe + Seek, its riverside restaurant. Runners wearing costumes during The London Marathon. "Supporting runners is a natural extension of our commitment to wellness at The Westin London City," Ruocco added. "Whether someone is chasing a personal best or simply running for joy, we understand the unique challenges of balancing training and travel." I followed all the other Westin runners in the early morning when it was time to head to the start. The nerves turned into excited butterflies as my wave kicked off. And there I was, running through some of London's coolest neighborhoods, getting cheered on by strangers and my husband, who biked the length of the marathon through back streets to meet me every third or fourth mile (I am happy to send you his map if you ever need to cheer on a London marathoner). I cried going over Tower Bridge, again at the sight of Big Ben, then at mile 19 when I spotted my husband during a difficult stretch, and finally at the finish at the Mall. Marathons aren't for the faint of heart, but they are for those with plenty of heart to give. Once I finished and kissed my medal, I had the most surprising emotional reaction of all: I was ready to do it again. But where? Well, let's once again look at the research. According to an April report by Travel Republic, the demand for "fitness holidays" is up 84% year over year, with Google searches for 'European marathon' skyrocketing by 403% in the same timeframe. So it's clear I'm not alone in my quest to push my body to the limit. The all-inclusive holiday company also compiled a list of the most in-demand marathons based on Google search data to see monthly search increases, combining it with TikTok search data for the top-performing marathon hashtags, giving me plenty of ideas of where to train next. For 2025, the Vienna City Marathon in Austria and the Limassol Marathon in Cyprus tied for first place as the most in-demand, with Google searches up by 1,016% and 391%, respectively. Next is the Prague Marathon, with Google searches up by 364%, followed by the Paris Marathon, the Copenhagen Marathon, the Rotterdam Marathon, the London Marathon, the Stockholm Marathon, the Hamburg Marathon, and the Madrid Marathon rounding out the top 10. And while none of these will get me closer to that coveted Six Stars medal, given to those who run all six majors (Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York), what I also learned completing this race is that it really is about the journey as much as the destination. Plus, getting to see your favorite cities 26.2 miles at a time sure does give you a lot of bragging rights. Want in for London in 2026? Check out all the charities offering bibs in exchange for fundraising here. Or, do what I'm doing and whittle down a list of potential second marathon spots that have special meaning to you. So, does anyone want to start training for Boston, Los Angeles, or Madrid (all my one-time homes) for 2026? Because I'm more ready than ever to start this "research" project all over again. The right shoes: The best thing you can do for your training is invest in getting a proper shoe fitting, which will tell you the sneakers that are the most well-suited for your feet. For me, it was the Saucony Endorphin. The best apps: There are endless apps out there to assist in your training, but the crème de la crème include the ever-popular Strava app (which doubles as a social media app and apparently a dating app too), along with Nike Run Club, and my pick for this race, Runna. The perfect gel: There's no other way around it, but this part of the training is total trial and error. Test out which gels, candy, or whatever other fuel works for your stomach (truly, please map out some bathroom stops the first few times you plan to run with fuel). The right fuel can really make or break a race. Pack the creature comforts: Every running expert says not to change a single thing on race day from what you've done over training. That means wearing your race day outfit for at least a handful of training runs and ensuring your morning fuel remains the same. To keep to that promise on my race—and almost every trip I take anyway—I take along my little Aeropress Go Plus so I can make my own coffee vs. relying on teeny, tiny in-room coffee pods. Don't worry, I did the homework here too. Coffee has been shown to do everything from "muscular endurance, movement velocity, and muscular strength," so go ahead and enjoy that cup.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Men complete six 'brutal' ultramarathons in six days
Two friends have completed six "brutal" ultramarathons in six days to raise money for charity. Simon Pilkington, from Bristol, covered about 180 miles (289.6km) along with Rob Dowling, from West Sussex. The men were raising money for the Oliver's Wish Foundation, set up after Mr Dowling's two-year-old son died in 2015 from Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC). Mr Pilkington said the challenge had been "amazing, yet incredibly and brutally tough". The men started with the London Marathon on 27 April - and spent the next five days running about 30 miles (48km) per day during a heatwave. "The added heat was just something else. It absolutely sapped every part of our energy," said Mr Pilkington. More news stories for Bristol Watch the latest Points West Listen to the latest news for Bristol With the support of friends - who joined them during certain points of the route - the pair managed to raise more than £51,000 for Oliver's Wish, which helps charities supporting babies, children and young people. Mr Pilkington said he spent six months training for the challenge, building his aerobic fitness through boxing and long distance running. His training regime included waking up at 05:00 in the middle of winter to go running and taking ice baths for recovery. He said building this discipline helped him to stay focused during the challenge. Initially, Mr Dowling had only signed up for The London Marathon, but later decided to join Mr Pilkington - who he met at a previous fundraising event - for the full challenge. After completing the London Marathon the pair collected their medals and continued running for another five miles (8km) up to Paddington. They spent the next five days running 30miles (48km) each day, following the canal paths back home to Bristol. Mr Pilkington said the biggest struggle was to wake up each day and resume running again, but that motivation came from seeing the donations coming in. "One day we saw another grand come in, another day another five grand, until we got to £51,000," he said. A crowd of family, friends and neighbours greeted them when they finally arrived in Westbury-on-Trym at about 18:30 BST on Friday. "It was an amazing reception coming into Westbury," said Mr Pilkington. "There was 40 children and their parents up on The Downs giving us a guard of honour. "I'm proud of us as a group for managing to do it." The money raised through the challenge will allow Oliver's Wish to help fund charity research into the cause of sudden unexplained death in children. The funds will be donated to SUDC UK, Chestnut Tree House Children's Hospice and the The Cystic Fibrosis Trust. "The charities we support desperately need the funds," said Mr Dowling. "We know that the money is going to be put specifically to medical research, which we hope will one day make this awful mystery of a diagnosis a thing of the past." Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Man 'excited' for six ultra marathons in six days Fundraiser aiming for ultra marathon glory at 87 Man with cystic fibrosis to run London Marathon Oliver's Wish
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Men complete 'brutal' six ultramarathons in six days
Two friends have completed six "brutal" ultramarathons in six days to raise money for charity. Simon Pilkington, from Bristol, covered about 180 miles (289.6km) along with Rob Dowling, from West men were raising money for the Oliver's Wish Foundation, set up after Mr Dowling's two-year-old son died in 2015 from Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC). Mr Pilkington said the challenge had been "amazing, yet incredibly and brutally tough". The men started with the London Marathon on 27 April - and spent the next five days running about 30 miles (48km) per day during a heatwave. "The added heat was just something else. It absolutely sapped every part of our energy," said Mr Pilkington. With the support of friends - who joined them during certain points of the route - the pair managed to raise more than £51,000 for Oliver's Wish, which helps charities supporting babies, children and young Pilkington said he spent six months training for the challenge, building his aerobic fitness through boxing and long distance training regime included waking up at 05:00 in the middle of winter to go running and taking ice baths for said building this discipline helped him to stay focused during the challenge. Initially, Mr Dowling had only signed up for The London Marathon, but later decided to join Mr Pilkington - who he met at a previous fundraising event - for the full completing the London Marathon the pair collected their medals and continued running for another five miles (8km) up to spent the next five days running 30miles (48km) each day, following the canal paths back home to Pilkington said the biggest struggle was to wake up each day and resume running again, but that motivation came from seeing the donations coming in."One day we saw another grand come in, another day another five grand, until we got to £51,000," he said. A crowd of family, friends and neighbours greeted them when they finally arrived in Westbury-on-Trym at about 18:30 BST on Friday."It was an amazing reception coming into Westbury," said Mr Pilkington."There was 40 children and their parents up on The Downs giving us a guard of honour."I'm proud of us as a group for managing to do it."The money raised through the challenge will allow Oliver's Wish to help fund charity research into the cause of sudden unexplained death in funds will be donated to SUDC UK, Chestnut Tree House Children's Hospice and the The Cystic Fibrosis Trust."The charities we support desperately need the funds," said Mr Dowling."We know that the money is going to be put specifically to medical research, which we hope will one day make this awful mystery of a diagnosis a thing of the past."
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mum raises thousands with stoma bag marathon
A mum who ran the London Marathon with a stoma bag and raised more than £10,000 for charity said it was "one of the best days of my life". Charlie Carroll, 37, from Alvechurch, Worcestershire, has had a stoma since 2011 as she has ulcerative colitis and has had most of her large intestine removed. She was then diagnosed with bowel cancer during further surgery in 2018 when her first child was less than a year old. Ms Carroll, whose tumour was successfully removed, said she did the marathon "to set myself a challenge" and inspire other people. She also recalled that, when she had her first round of surgery, she felt self-conscious about her stoma and wanted to keep it "a secret". She added she had come to realise that "people can talk about this - it's OK". Ms Carroll, who has a seven-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter, said her children were proud of her for running the marathon and her dad had been "tearful" as he cheered her on. "It's up there with getting married and having children," she said, of the moment when she crossed the finish line. Ms Carroll has raised more than £10,700 so far for Bowel Cancer UK with her marathon run. Her friends in Alvechurch have also organised a charity netball match and a raffle to add to her donations, she added. Sunday's marathon also saw Adam Cotterill, 39, from Stourbridge, among the runners and he wore a white unicorn outfit with a rainbow mane chosen by his "unicorn-mad" daughters. Mr Cotterill, who said he set a new world record for the fastest marathon run while dressed as a mythical creature, completed the race in four hours, seven minutes and 38 seconds. He said his run raised more than £4,000 for the Dudley Group NHS Trust's baby loss and bereavement department, a cause he chose after being inspired by his wife's work as a midwife there. Other memorable Midlanders in Sunday's marathon included Dave Heeley, a blind fundraiser known as "Blind Dave" from West Bromwich, who completed his 17th and final run around the capital. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Fathers of Southport victims complete London marathon in tribute to daughters London Marathon breaks world record for most finishers Weird and wacky costumes from this year's London Marathon The London Marathon
