Eoin and Callum warm up for the London Marathon

Callum, from Southdown, is no stranger to the famous course, having tackled the race in 2015 for Rennie Grove. He says:

“Running the London Marathon in 2015 was honestly one of the best experiences of my life! You just feel like a hero doing it. Everyone knows your name – because it’s printed on your t-shirt – so everybody supports you and cheers your name when you run past. There’s such a good atmosphere. The crowds all know that most runners are doing it as a personal challenge or to fundraise for a cause close to their heart and they cheer you on every step of the way.

“I’m so proud to be running for Rennie Grove again. Before my dad died, Rennie Grove was such a huge support to our whole family that I really want to give back and ensure that other people can benefit from the same level of support.

“As well as Hospice at Home care, my dad attended day hospice sessions at Grove House. He found it really valuable to meet other people in a similar situation and those sessions gave my mum some respite from her role as a carer.

“Fundraising for Rennie Grove is something that my whole family is passionate about. As well as my two marathons, my family has organised regular golf days to raise money, too. We had to pause them during the pandemic but we’re keen to start those up again to support the charity.

“Although this isn’t my first marathon, I’m eight years older than I was the first time so the training is a bit harder! But I’m also more disciplined about it. I do have a niggling injury that started when I trained the first time round so I make sure to follow a proper training plan and have regular sports massages and physiotherapy when I need it.”

Eoin, originally from St Albans and currently studying at university, has never run a marathon before and is juggling training with his studies. He says:

“I’ve always enjoyed playing sports but I’ve never really been a ‘runner’ as such. In recent years I set myself a fitness goal of running a marathon and I’m so pleased to be able to do that at the London Marathon which is arguably one of the biggest and best in the world!

“I’ve been passionate about raising money for Rennie Grove since they cared for my dad at home in St Albans before he passed away in 2017. So running the London Marathon in aid of Rennie Grove is a great way to combine two of my big goals.

“When my dad was ill, it was Rennie Grove’s Hospice at Home care that allowed him choice around where he would spend his final hours. The nurses not only cared for my dad but supported the whole family at the hardest of times. They were there to answer questions, keep up morale and to guide us through the many unknowns of such a difficult time.

“Training to run my first marathon during my final year at university is quite a challenge. It’s a lot to fit in but I do find that running really helps with my studying. It’s good to take a break from studying or assignments to get out in the fresh air and do a training run, before getting back to work.

“I’m really looking forward to the day of the marathon and have lots of family and friends coming to support me. Everybody I know who has run the London Marathon before says the atmosphere on the day is incredible. I can’t wait to be running along the famous course, being carried by the support of the crowd!”