Join Tim Rogers from the Sapphire Running Zone as he chats with Andrea Watt, Stewardship Officer at the Stroke Association and passionate marathon runner from northeast Scotland. From running the London Marathon with a Walkman, paper sponsor forms, and no GPS tracking, to completing the New York City Marathon alongside her daughter Rebecca, Andrea shares stories from nearly three decades of running, fundraising, and community spirit.

In this inspiring episode, Andrea reflects on how marathon culture has changed over the years, the unforgettable atmosphere of New York and London, and why she still loves the challenge of training and race day in her fifties. She also shares practical fundraising advice for charity runners, including how to use your local community, social media, and creative ideas to hit ambitious targets without being afraid to ask for support.

The conversation also explores the emotional side of running; the friendships formed on race day, the shared experience of wearing a charity vest, and why every early-morning training run becomes worth it when you cross the finish line. Andrea talks openly about returning to running after raising her children, chasing new marathons, and learning to focus less on finish times and more on enjoying the experience.

Whether you’re preparing for your first half marathon, fundraising for a cause close to your heart, or dreaming about running one of the big city centre marathons, this episode is full of warmth, humour, nostalgia, and motivation.

For more podcasts go to https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/podcasts. We have three channels, this one, one on event podcasts and one for members only. If you'd to be the focus of one just let us know using the chat function on the homepage.

If you'd like to join Andrea and run for the Stroke Association you can find out more here

Keywords

• marathon fundraising tips
• London Marathon fundraising ideas
• charity marathon training
• marathon podcast
• running podcast UK
• New York City Marathon experience
• London Marathon 1997
• Stroke Association fundraising
• half marathon motivation
• marathon training inspiration
• running community stories
• fundraising for charity marathon
• marathon runner interview
• women marathon runners over 50
• marathon training journey
• creative fundraising ideas
• running for charity tips
• UK running podcast
• major marathon experiences
• London vs New York Marathon
• half marathon training motivation
• endurance running stories
• marathon mindset
• fundraising manager interview
• running and community spirit

In this episode of the Sapphire Running Zone podcast, host Tim Rogers interviews Ivor Stratford about completing the legendary Marathon des Sables, a 270km ultramarathon across the Sahara Desert.

Ivor explains the intense six-month preparation process, which included 100-mile training weeks, gym sessions, treadmill hiking with a weighted pack, and desert heat training in Dubai. He discusses how balancing training alongside work, travel, and family life required huge discipline and mental resilience.

The conversation explores the realities of the race itself:

• Six stages over eight days
• Self-supported racing in extreme desert conditions
• Carrying all food and equipment
• Sleeping in basic communal tents
• Managing severe heat, dehydration, and exhaustion

One of the most dramatic moments came before the race had even started, when Ivor became seriously ill with dehydration and nearly withdrew. After treatment in the medical tent and advice to use beef stock cubes for electrolytes, he recovered enough to continue.

Ivor also shares:

• The mental challenge of the 100km stage
• Hallucinations caused by exhaustion
• The difficulty of eating enough calories
• The camaraderie formed between runners
• The emotional experience of crossing the finish line

Alongside the physical challenge, Ivor used the event to raise money for Dreams Come True and Hospice of St Francis, with fundraising totals already exceeding £11,000.

The episode finishes with Ivor discussing future endurance goals, including the North Downs Way 100 and the Moab 240 ultramarathon in 2027.

If you'd like to support Ivor his fundraising page is here

For more podcasts go to https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/podcasts. We have three channels, this one, one on event podcasts and one for members only. If you'd to be the focus of one just let us know using the chat function on the homepage.

Keywords

• Marathon des Sables
• Marathon des Sables podcast
• Sahara Desert ultramarathon
• ultramarathon training
• endurance running podcast
• multi-stage ultramarathon
• desert ultramarathon
• Marathon des Sables experience
• Marathon des Sables training
• ultrarunning challenges
• endurance athlete interview
• Sahara running race
• self-supported ultramarathon
• ultra marathon nutrition
• ultramarathon hydration
• 100 mile ultra training
• ultramarathon mental toughness
• running in the desert
• ultramarathon gear
• endurance race preparation
• marathon des sables tips
• extreme endurance events
• ultra running motivation
• endurance sports podcast
• Tim Rogers podcast
• Ivor Stratford
• Sapphire Running Zone
• Moab 240
• North Downs Way 100

In this inspiring episode of the Sapphire Running Zone Podcast, Tim Rogers sits down with first-time London Marathon runner Julie Tague to hear the incredible story behind her 26.2-mile journey for St. Raphael’s Hospice.

From struggling through her first runs at university to completing the iconic London Marathon in 4:18, Julie shares the highs, lows, emotions and unexpected moments that shaped her experience. The conversation covers everything from injury setbacks and winter training to race-day nerves, Tower Bridge euphoria, and the emotional final miles through Westminster.

Julie also opens up about running in memory of loved ones, the personal connection she has with London, and how she raised £3,000 for St. Raphael’s Hospice through raffles, bake sales and community support.

Whether you’re training for your first marathon, thinking about running for charity, or simply love hearing real stories from everyday runners, this episode is packed with honesty, inspiration and practical insights.

Topics covered:

• First-time marathon training • Recovering from injury setbacks • London Marathon race-day experience • Running for charity • Marathon mindset and motivation • Fundraising tips • Life after marathon finish lines

Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about resilience, community, and discovering what you’re truly capable of.

For more podcasts go to https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/podcasts. We have three channels, this one, one on event podcasts and one for members only. If you'd to be the focus of one just let us know using the chat function on the homepage.

If you'd like to find out more about running for St Raphael's Hospice head here

Keywords

• London Marathon 2026
• London Marathon podcast
• first time marathon runner
• London Marathon experience
• marathon training journey
• charity marathon story
• St Raphael’s Hospice marathon
• London Marathon fundraising
• marathon motivation
• beginner marathon tips
• emotional marathon story
• women marathon runners
• marathon recovery tips
• Tower Bridge London Marathon
• London Marathon race day
• how to train for a marathon
• running podcast UK