What happens when marathon training is complete, but your confidence suddenly disappears?

Amber Whitaker returns to the Bitten by the Running Bug podcast to talk openly about her experience of maranoia in the weeks leading up to the 2026 London Marathon.

Despite completing her training and a 20 mile long run, Amber found the taper brought increasing self doubt and anxiety. Social media made those feelings worse, as her feeds filled with experienced and faster runners whose training, goals and expectations looked very different from her own.

Amber talks to Tim about questioning whether she was worthy of running a marathon, struggling through her final training runs and experiencing anxiety so intense that she considered not starting the race at all.

They also discuss the pressure created by running content online, why comparing yourself with other runners can be so damaging and how everything changed once Amber reached the start line and found herself surrounded by thousands of runners just like her.

An open conversation about marathon anxiety, social media, the strange final weeks of the taper and learning to trust the training you have already done.

For more podcasts go to https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/podcasts.

Keywords: maranoia, marathon anxiety, Amber Whitaker, London Marathon, marathon training, marathon taper, first marathon, running anxiety, social media and running, marathon nerves, marathon confidence, first time marathon runner, running mental health, marathon preparation, Bitten by the Running Bug, Sapphire Running Zone

Bonnie Elliott sent 50 personal letters to friends and family to support her London Marathon fundraising for Phab. By the time we recorded this episode of Bitten By The Running Bug podcast, she estimated that at least 30 recipients had donated.

Bonnie explains why she looked beyond social media, what she included in each letter and how she made her request personal. She shares the cost and time involved, the response she received and why donations continued to arrive weeks later.

Bonnie also talks about the New York City Marathon, her journey to 30 marathons and her advice for first time marathon runners. Her letter idea could be adapted by anyone fundraising through a run, from a 5K to a marathon.

For more podcasts go to https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/podcasts.

If you'd like to join Bonnie and run for Phab you can find out more here

Keywords

fundraising ideas for runners, charity running, running for charity, fundraising letters, personal fundraising ideas, marathon fundraising, half marathon fundraising, London Marathon fundraising, Bonnie Elliott, Phab

Alice Sullivan once thought a marathon was beyond her. In this episode of Bitten by the Running Bug, she tells Tim how she went from 10Ks and half marathons to running London, Rome and an overnight virtual marathon.

Alice shares the fundraising ideas that worked for her, including supermarket treadmill sessions and a curry and quiz night. She also explains why she carried thirteen names on her vest during the London Landmarks Half Marathon, and how the families supported by Kids Cancer Charity give meaning to her miles.

If you’re starting to run, considering a longer distance or looking for fresh fundraising ideas, Alice has plenty of practical advice to share.

For more podcasts go to https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/podcasts.

If you'd like to join Alice and run for Kids Cancer Charity you can find out more here

Keywords

Fundraising Ideas, Running For Charity, Charity Running, Marathon Training, London Marathon, Beginner Running, Alice Sullivan

What happens when someone who supports charity runners decides to experience the whole journey for himself?

In this episode, Tim Rogers chats with Mikey Jones from Shelter Cymru about taking on his first ever running event, a 10K in Wrexham. With virtually no previous running experience and only around three and a half weeks to prepare, Mikey completed the race in around 53 minutes and raised approximately £640 for charity.

Mikey shares what he learned about training for his first 10K, the pressure of fundraising while preparing for an event and why becoming a charity runner changed the way he thinks about supporting fundraisers.

They also discuss some of the fundraising ideas that worked particularly well, including short training videos, LinkedIn, local Facebook groups, corporate sponsorship and getting the race organiser involved in sharing his story.

There are plenty of useful ideas for anyone running for charity, as well as some valuable lessons for charities supporting runners through their fundraising journey.

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 Mikey and run for Shelter Cymru you can find out more here

Keywords

charity running, charity fundraising, running for charity, fundraising tips, first 10K, Shelter Cymru

In this episode of the Sapphire Running Zone podcast, Tim Rogers talks to Sophie Badman, an Events Fundraiser at Samaritans, about her running journey and the fundraising lessons she has learned along the way.

Sophie started running in 2018, initially for her own mental health, before turning her first 10K into a much bigger fundraising challenge for Samaritans. She went on to complete numerous events, including half marathons in Dublin and London, and set herself the challenge of covering around 500 miles through her events over the course of a year.

Sophie shares some of the fundraising ideas that worked particularly well, including her Inspire A Mile initiative, virtual running events, raffles, cake sales, approaching local businesses and using social media to keep supporters engaged. She also explains why fundraisers need to keep finding new stories to tell rather than simply sharing the same sponsorship link repeatedly.

Now working with Samaritans runners herself, Sophie also discusses some of the creative fundraising she sees through her role, the importance of crowd support at running events and her own ambitions to return to the half marathon distance and eventually run the London Marathon.

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 Sophie and run for Samaritans you can find out more here

Sophie's fundraising page is here.

Keywords: running fundraising ideas, charity running, running for charity, marathon fundraising ideas, fundraising tips for runners, Samaritans fundraising, charity fundraising ideas, running challenge, half marathon fundraising, fundraising through running

What does it really feel like to run the London Marathon for the first time?

In this special Sapphire Running Zone podcast, we hear from eight first-time London Marathon runners who all completed the race while raising money for charity. Finishing in times from just over 3½ hours to more than 7 hours, they share their honest experiences of one of the world's most iconic marathons.

From the excitement of the Marathon Expo and the nerves in the Greenwich start area to the unforgettable crowds at Tower Bridge, the challenging miles through Docklands and the emotional finish on The Mall, this episode takes you through every stage of race day.

You'll hear inspiring stories of determination, fundraising, overcoming setbacks, adapting to difficult conditions and the incredible atmosphere that makes the London Marathon unlike any other race.

Whether you're preparing for your first London Marathon, hoping to secure a charity place or simply love hearing runners' stories, this episode will leave you informed, inspired and excited for race day.

In this episode:

• What to expect at the London Marathon Expo

• The start area and race morning nerves

• Tower Bridge, Docklands and the famous landmarks

• How the crowds carry you through 26.2 miles

• The emotional final mile and finish

• Honest advice from eight first-time marathon finishers

• Charity fundraising and why London is so much more than a marathon

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.

In this episode of the Sapphire Running Zone Podcast, Tim is joined by sports nutrition lecturer and endurance researcher Matt to uncover the truth about running nutrition. Together they cut through the myths surrounding gels, supplements and carb loading, explaining what recreational runners really need and what they can safely ignore.

The discussion covers when runners should use energy gels, why they are simply a convenient source of carbohydrate rather than a necessity, and how marathon runners should practise their fuelling strategy during training instead of experimenting on race day. They also explain why more gels are not always better and why hydration should never be overlooked.

The pair also explore the evidence behind popular supplements including caffeine, beetroot juice and creatine, highlighting which products have genuine scientific support and which are unlikely to make a meaningful difference.

Finally, they discuss carb loading before a marathon, emphasising that runners should focus on sensible nutrition rather than dramatically increasing food intake. The key message throughout the episode is simple: successful race-day nutrition comes from consistent training, careful planning and keeping things straightforward.

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.

Find out more from Matt on his Insta.

Keywords

• running nutrition podcast
• marathon nutrition
• running gels
• energy gels for runners
• marathon fueling
• marathon nutrition advice
• carb loading for marathon
• supplements for runners
• running supplements
• beetroot juice for runners
• creatine for runners
• caffeine for running
• hydration for runners
• marathon race day nutrition
• half marathon nutrition
• sports nutrition for runners
• endurance nutrition
• marathon fuelling strategy
• running fuel
• sports drinks vs gels
• race day nutrition

In this episode of the Sapphire Running Zone Podcast, Tim Rogers speaks with Imogen, Fundraising Communications Manager at Together Dementia Support, about completing her first-ever half marathon at the Great Manchester Run.

After running the Great Manchester 10K for three consecutive years, Imogen decided to challenge herself by stepping up to the half marathon distance. She shares how a 12-week training plan, support from a running partner, and a focus on simply finishing the race helped her successfully complete the 21.1km event.

The conversation explores race-day nerves, training tips for first-time half marathon runners, the atmosphere of the Great Manchester Run, and the crucial role that crowd support played in helping her reach the finish line. Imogen also discusses fundraising for Together Dementia Support, revealing how she raised £450 through social media, email signatures, and—most effectively—WhatsApp groups, which accounted for around 90% of her donations.

The episode offers practical advice for both runners and fundraisers, highlighting the importance of setting personal challenges, sharing your story, and not being afraid to ask for support. A motivating conversation for anyone considering their first half marathon or looking to maximise their fundraising efforts for charity.

If you'd like to join Imogen and run the Great Manchester Run next May for Together Dementia Support you can find out more 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

• Great Manchester Run
• Great Manchester Half Marathon
• First half marathon
• Half marathon training
• Charity fundraising
• Charity run
• Fundraising for charity
• Manchester running events
• Half marathon runner
• Together Dementia Support