‘They did it!’

A 60 second interview with London Marathon runners Nicky Wynne and Alexandra Burrough

Nicky Wynne and Alex Burrough of our London Office successfully completed the 2009 London Marathon on 26 April! Running on behalf of The Guild, Nicky and Alex raised a staggering £6,500 for our charity through sponsorship and the generous encouragement of many St John Eye Hospital supporters.

Neither Nicky nor Alex would have called themselves runners before but now they can.

What were the highs of your training?

(NW) Weight dropped off as we motivated each other to run like never before – who needs the London Underground when you have trainers! And there’s nothing like getting used to wearing lycra in public! We were also most overwhelmed by the support of The St John Family and our families and friends.

And lows of your training?

(AB) Putting down that glass of wine, stopping talking about it and getting out of the door to run!

On the day itself, were you nervous?

(NW) With 35,000 runners standing shoulder to shoulder ready to start the race it finally dawned on us that we were about to run over 26 miles! Alex felt afraid of coming last and both of us then worried that starting right at the back with the Donkeys and the Rhinos might not have been such a good move…

(AB) Once we got going, buoyed up by such an electrically charged atmosphere and the surge of our fellow runners’ legs, my fear subsided we got on with the running. We were both humbled by the weight endured by those in fancy dress but were happy to run on by and not be last!

What was London like on the day?

(AB) We fell in love with London all over again. People made a real effort and the atmosphere was like a carnival: drummers beat a running rhythm, Morris Dancers jangled their bells and there were even some kilt-wearing bagpipe players which made Nicky happy! People were there giving out sweets, fruit, cake and willing us on all the way.

(NW) It was incredible to be part of a 35,000 strong force, all raising money for charity – all with their own stories of pain, loss and joy!

Was the hot weather a problem?

(NW) The weather was brilliant for our family and friends who came to support us but it was definitely an added challenge for us. We were particularly grateful to those who hosed us down with water to keep us cool on what was a very hot day.

What was the best bit of the Marathon?

(AB) Finishing and getting our medals!