The 2022 London Marathon takes place 2nd October with up to 50,000 runners taking part. Anna Stubbs, Marketing and HR Director at The Chartwell Practice in Burton-upon-Trent, applied for many years before striking lucky when a place opened up for her via the Washlands Women’s Runners Club ballot.
She teamed up with Burton-Upon-Trent’s YMCA, so that her efforts can help support the local community. Before she embarks on her second marathon of 2022, she reflected upon her journey so far and what lies ahead.
Anna said: “I arrived late to the joys of running and I’m by no means gifted with natural talent. Sometimes, I don’t feel like getting the trainers on, or it feels really slow going and just hard work. But like a lot of people, the habit of getting out for a run regularly helps me in more ways than I would ever have predicted.”
Whether it is a couple of muddy miles over the fields with her dog, or a run with friends, Anna always returned home feeling both physically and mentally boosted. For years, she bravely put her name in the ballot for a chance to run the London Marathon and was never selected. After years of bad luck, she plucked up the courage to tackle the big distance in a different city – Manchester. With her first marathon under her belt in April, little did she know that 2022 would turn out to be a double marathon year!
Anna added: “At the last possible second, an extra place was given to The Washlands Women’s Runners Club as a bonus for them sending a marshal team to London and my name was drawn out!
“I couldn’t believe it!”
Her marathon training began during the summer heatwave, with Covid-related hitches in between, she is now just days away from the starting line. October is also an important month for YMCA Burton with their annual Sleep Out event taking place at Burton Albion Football Club’s Pirelli Stadium.
Paul Laffey, CEO at YMCA Burton, added: “Everyone at YMCA Burton wishes Anna lots of luck for this year’s marathon. Undertaking the training for the London Marathon is no mean feat and we appreciate the hours of running Anna has already done to prepare for this challenge.
“She joins our other marathon runner Chris in raising much needed funds for our charity. As everyone is struggling with the cost of living crisis, this will help us towards supporting our clients and members of the local community.”
Anna added: “I have been aware of the really important work that the YMCA do in Burton for some years now, as we have supported them at Chartwell’s, and I know that the care and provision for people in crisis is desperately needed. If I can help raise some funding for them I’d be really delighted.”
