26/4/2021 This page has now closed after the celebration event last night online. Huge thank you to every donor who helped us raise £8000 for Sands. every penny will make a huge difference, thank you so much. for more information go to www.sands.org.uk 

19/12/20 huge thanks to Pete and my friends who ran the final marathon this weekend. I managed to get out to meet them at the finish line to complete 15 in 15, an incredible effort by everyone for which we are immensely grateful.

We have also raised £900+ this weekend so we are within touching distance of an incredible £6,000 over the course of the challenge. Thank you thank you thank you!

18/12/20 tomorrow’s 15th and final marathon won’t involve me! I am out of hospital but obviously not in a position to run for quite some time. But my brother in law is running the whole thing as planned and also a number of friends joining at different points. Can’t express my thanks enough!

14/12/20 I am in Southampton General Hospital having had a heart attack at some point in the last few days, and have had stents put in place. 

12/12/20 marathon 14 completed around the streets of my childhood with an amazing support team! 

7/12/20 we have smashed the £5k barrier! This is double the original target! Thanks to every single donor 

6/12/20 marathon 13 completed with a big PB of 3 hours 53 at Goodwood motor circuit 

6/10/20 huge thanks for recent sponsorship of marathon 10 at New Forest Marathon 19/9 and Virtual London Marathon around Poole 4/10

18/7/20 The challenge is back on! Marathon 9 took place this morning 18/7/20 in Winchester.
Five laps of 5 miles, a friend supporting each lap at a social distance.

Marathon 9 completed and finally broke the 4 hour barrier in a time of 3:59:30

13/7/20 Smashed the 3000 pounds barrier! Thanks to everyone!

26/4/20 Given current government restrictions I have pressed the pause button on the challenge, having completed 8 of the 15 marathons. 

Curry night 9th May now online quiz night! Get in touch with Marc for more details

Virtual Southampton marathon 8/15 complete! 

Virtual Manchester Marathon 7/15 completed. 

26.2 Marathon Day marathon complete! number 6 of 15...

Curry Night announced for 9th May... 

First eight marathons complete! see http://www.marcathon.blogspot.com  for the full story...

I am so excited for – and daunted by – the challenge I’ve taken on. Inspired by @FrancisBenali’s feat of endurance earlier this year – pushing himself to his limit (5 ironmen in 7 days!)  in order to raise awareness and raise funds to combat cancer- I’ve taken on the challenge of 15 marathons in 15 months.

I’ve run 3 previously, but over a 6 year period– so I know the body can do 26 miles, and hopefully it can do so on a monthly basis…

The number 15 has a particular significance. In the UK, 15 babies die every day shortly before, during or after birth. This equates to 5,000 babies dying every year or one death of a baby every 90 minutes. 

Sands – the Stillbirth & Neonatal Death charity I work for- is at the forefront of programmes seeking to reduce this number, and
to support bereaved couples and families in their hour of need, through the provision of groups, workshops, online forums and resources. Sands also works with healthcare professionals training and supporting teams across the country to improve the bereavement care parents receive immediately after their baby dies.

Sands runs an annual ‘Challenge 15’ event; in 2018 our children took on board a series of challenges – cycling, running and hiking, and raised almost £500 for Sands in the process. I’m running 15 marathons before, during and after January 2020’s Challenge 15 event, and am hoping to raise £2,500 for Sands by Christmas 2020.

It’s an amazing privilege to work for Sands, and in particular to lead the National Bereavement Care Pathway project which seeks to improve the quality and consistency in standards for bereavement care across the UK.

As a keen runner who is part of the #NHS1000miles community online I see the benefits of running regularly. It has helped me lose weight over the years (though there is more to go!), improve emotional well-being and mental health, and helps to provide balance to a busy family and work life. We love parkrun and are part of the Netley Abbey core team.  

The following marathons are in the diary:

Sunday September 8th – New Forest Marathon - Brockenhurst

Saturday October 19th – the X Run (Saturn Events) – Reading

Saturday November 2nd – the Thames Meander – Kingston

Sunday December 22nd – Coastal Marathon – Portsmouth

Sunday January 19th – Gloucester Marathon – Gloucester

Wednesday February 26th (26.2) – Marathon Day Marathon – Deal

Sunday April 5th - Manchester Marathon POSTPONED - ran 'virtual marathon' instead

Sunday April 26th - Southampton Marathon - POSTPONED - ran 'virtual marathon' instead 

Saturday May 9th - Bewl Water Marathon, Kent POSTPONED

Sunday June 7th - Meon Valley Marathon, Hampshire POSTPONED 

Sunday July 19th - Exe Valley Marathon, Devon POSTPONED- ran socially distanced marathon in Winchester instead 

August - TBC

Sunday 13th September - New Forest Marathon

Sunday 11th October 2020 - Manchester Marathon POSTPONED

November 7th 2020 - Thames Meander 

November 13th 2020 - Exe Valley Marathon

Sunday 20 December 2020 - Portsmouth Coastal Marathon  


Naturally I would love your support in donating to such an amazing cause. However, there are other ways you can support the challenge - it's not just about the money!:

*Come and cheer at an event
*Come and run with me! Challenge yourself to your first marathon or take advantage of some events doubling up as a 10k or half marathon, laps on the same course
*Cover the cost of a marathon entry
*Help with transport / logistics / a bed for the night
*Raise awareness of Sands over social media
*Suggest a marathon to help fill a gap in the 2020 schedule

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.


Thanks so much for reading this far!

Marc