Brighton Marathon: An interview with two first-time runners

Are you part of the 1% of people who have completed a marathon? Neither am I – but I am a proud supporter of my two friends who successfully completed the Brighton Marathon on April 6th 2025.

But let’s rewind to a month or two ago when I interviewed them during the training process and asked about their thoughts and feelings leading up to the big day…

So, why have you decided to run a marathon?

“It seems like the next step on my running journey. I didn’t used to be able to run 200m, and then I did ‘Couch to 5k’, then I did a 10km, then a half marathon, so I guess this comes next. And I didn’t hate the half marathon too much, not so much that I’d never run again.”

Emilie Jürs

“Having had about a million hobbies in my mere 21 years of life, I have always been someone who is easily inspired. As soon as my older sister stepped over the finish line of her first marathon almost two years ago, it was almost set in stone that I would eventually complete one too. I have been running since 2020, so I have always been on my way to signing up to something stupid like this.”

Louise Colechin

And how has the training process been going so far? What have you been doing to prepare?

“I started my training in January and have been slowly building up my distance since. It has been helpful to join my university’s run club to make sure I am disciplined each week and keeping up the runs even when every bone in my body does not even want to get out of bed. To prevent injury, I have been making sure to add in the occasional conditioning and flexibility exercises into my training plan. More recently, I have been experimenting with the types of foods I will be taking with me on my longer runs to keep me fuelled and comfortable. I have found that jelly babies, chocolate raisins, and nuts have worked best so far.”

Louise Colechin

“Well, lots of running mostly! I’ve been trying to increase my distance each week with my max getting to around 35km a few weeks out from the marathon. I’ve also been doing shorter runs through the week to keep my legs going. I also learnt early on about the importance of strength training as I started to get knee pain but after re-starting my leg workouts it went away.”

Emilie Jürs

And finally, is there anything you are worried/concerned about on the day?

“I think food is my biggest worry. It’s five hours long, which is a long time to go without a meal on a normal day, let alone while running. I have been trying to practice eating and running at the same time to prepare for this.”

Emilie Jürs

“Weirdly enough, the longer distances are starting to become more normal now I’m well into my training plan. Obviously the full 42km on the day is going to be tough, but I am actually more concerned about not eating a proper meal in the five hours I will be running. Of course, I will try to keep as hydrated and fuelled as best I can, but I think I’m just going to miss having my normal lunch! It’s easy to say that I’m worried about the weather on the day and how I’ll actually be feeling (both physically and emotionally), but there’s nothing I can really do about that. We’ll just have to wait and see!”

Louise Colechin

And just like that the big day arrived! This year marked the 15th edition of the Brighton Marathon, welcoming over 130,000 finishers since 2010. Two of those finishers were very happy indeed. Here’s what they had to say…

How does it feel to finally say that you’ve run a marathon?

“It hasn’t quite sunk in yet! My body certainly feels like it’s run a marathon but ask me again next week!”

Louise Colechin

“Not real!? Everyone is congratulating me, and it doesn’t really feel real. I feel physically fine, I went back to work 2 days later and almost forgot I did it, and then I remember and feel so proud that I did it.”

Emilie Jürs

Was anything a lot harder or a lot easier than you anticipated?

“I felt physically fine the whole way, but mentally after 35km I really struggled. I don’t think I had fully got my head round how far and long it was, but I was proud of my training that physically I was able to keep going. The day after was easier than I thought but that evening was even harder. I had a lot of chafing which hurt in the shower, and I was so exhausted I struggled to walk that evening. Each day after I have felt better and better, until I tried to run on Saturday, and it all came back to me; my legs were dying round that five km.”

Emilie Jürs

“Having trained in the winter months, it was a shock for my body to run on a clear, sunny day in 16-degree heat! At about 35km, although my stamina and mentality were still relatively fine, nothing could’ve prepared me for the pain I felt in my knees and legs. It’s easy to forget that running this distance is not a normal toll to put on your body, no matter how much training you do.”

Louise Colechin

And finally, what charity/reason were you running for?

“I was running for the Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Trust. This incredible charity supports families with premature or critically ill babies, providing vital care and comfort during some of the most challenging times in their lives. I managed to raise just over £500, with thanks to the support of my family and friends! I can’t quite believe I used to be a tiny baby in their unit and now I can say I have run a marathon!”

Louise Colechin

“I was running for myself! I have always been a bottom set P.E kind of person who doesn’t have the typical marathon runner body. I couldn’t run 200m a few years ago and I have worked my way up to this distance and I’m so proud of all the hard work I’ve put in. The marathon isn’t the hard part, it’s all the training that goes in before.”

Emilie Jürs

So, do you think you could do it? Emilie and Louise would definitely say yes! Why not secure your spot for 2026 now? You never know, this time next year you could proudly call yourself part of the 1% club.