Ordnance Survey “Get Outside” Guide : Why do people run Marathons?

So why do people run marathons? Running a marathon is a big deal. Months of planning and training, leading up to 26.2 miles of pain and exhilaration!  To help you on your marathon journey, Ordnance Survey has teamed up with our friends at ABP Southampton Marathon. From exploring new areas to entering a flow state, read on for inspiring stories from Team OS and Southampton Marathon Ambassadors to find out exactly why people run marathons!

Ella Cowen: OS Employee – Sustainability, Property & Facilities Lead

There’s something incredibly rewarding about setting a far-off goal that seems almost impossible, and slowly building up to it. That’s what a marathon is for most of us: something unattainable that, through hard work and training, becomes possible. As a long-time half-marathoner, I finally set myself the goal of running a trail ultra-marathon: 34 miles across Dartmoor from north to south. Putting such an ambitious goal in the calendar made it so fun and purposeful getting out for training runs. I knew I was working toward something exciting that I could be really proud of, and boy was I! Planning it was really interesting too. For a half marathon a couple of gels will get you through, but I knew I’d need to take a more calculated approach to an ultra. Nutrition is one of the things we tend to forget about, but it’s so crucial for feeling energised and ready to take on a race. I can’t wait to do another one!

 

Richard Bailey-Wiles: OS Employee – Field Surveyor (East Midlands)

I started running quite late in life, in my mid-forties, although I’ve been an avid walker since my teens. Like many others, I caught the running bug during the pandemic when I realised that I could cover much greater distance in the same time when exercising from home, than I could by just walking. I’m a bit of a data geek and love crunching numbers.  Although I’m not normally a competitive person, I enjoy trying to beat PBs and seeing how far up the rankings I can come in races. Preparing for a marathon or ultra marathon gives me a good excuse to get out at the weekend and make use of my OS Maps app to explore the countryside on a long run. I love the freedom that trail running brings, at times it feels like you are ‘flowing’ through the environment.

Gus Mckechnie: OS Champ

I’m a big fan of different forms of exercise, especially running. I have cerebral palsy and I’m a classified T38 runner (paralympic classification for runners with cerebral palsy). I’m a member of the Hamwic Harriers community running club in Southampton and I also join in with OS runners from time to time.

Running has become more inclusive thanks to Parkrun. I’m a regular Parkrunner, with my local run being on Southampton common . It is rare for T38 runners to take on marathon distances, but I have five London Marathon medals from the past five years! Three of those being virtual and two from running in London itself. As well as the ABP Southampton Marathon I’m aiming to do the London Marathon again. I hope to half my ABP Southampton marathon time from 2018, when I took over 8 hours 40 mins to complete the marathon.

I will also aim to raise money for charity by doing the two marathons in one month.

Peter Cave: OS Employee – Lead Information Security Consultant

Running is my release from life! Whenever things have been tough at work or home, I know I can get away from it all and have time with my thoughts. It’s a chance to push myself and do something hard, or a chance to relax. Running a marathon is always a challenge, and I always thought it was one out of my reach. When you start training and getting fitter, you realise you can do it. I’ve done four now (plus an Ironman, which has a marathon run) and every one has been different and enjoyable in their own way.

Alex Jackson: OS Champ

Running is something I did when I was younger, but then had to stop because of injury when I grew up too quickly. I’m both excited and nervous about getting back on the roads and running again to train for the ABP Southampton Marathon. I never ran any crazy long distances, just track events, but what I love about running is the afterburn and the buzz of warring with your body and mind – and coming out on top. This is exactly what I expect from doing the marathon, so planning to train then following through is something I really look forward to!

Emma Laming: ABP Southampton Marathon Ambassador

I have never run a marathon before. However, I signed up for Race to the King Ultra Marathon in June 2025, so I wanted to run a marathon before tackling the 100km. I enjoy these challenges as they prove I can do anything I put my mind to; I love pushing myself to do better!

Sam Taylor: OS Champ AND employee – Competitive Intelligence Enablement Manager and OS Champs

I love running for the simplicity of it. All you have to do is get a pair of trainers and keep putting one foot in front of the other. Being active plays a massive role in my physical and mental health and running has been my go-to activity throughout all the different sports I’ve tried.

Running tires me physically, but it mentally recharges me. I love being outside surrounded by nature and that’s why I now have numerous pairs of trail running trainers! I also really enjoy challenging myself, as it focuses my mind away from the whirlwind of day-to-day stresses. This is why I loved running my first trail marathon in Exmoor in 2022. It’s also why I’ve signed up with my best mate to run Endure 24 (a 24-hour trail running event) as a pair team in 2025. If all goes well, I should be running more than a marathon and raising funds for the amazing charity Sport in Mind.

Amy Wright: OS Employee – Technical Geospatial Analyst

I have been running casually for many years and dreamed that one day I would conquer the marathon. I have a background in fundraising so jumped at the opportunity to run the London Marathon for charity. Knowing that I had such a huge event coming up was scary, but the months running up to the marathon gave me so much clarity and purpose. I really enjoyed looking at my training plan and planning routes with any willing companions. Not only did I feel stronger and fitter from running so much, but I was amazed at how quickly I saw progress in achieving PBs and hitting longer distances. I was SO ready for London 2024 that I was smiling for the whole 26 miles. I have since signed up for Manchester Marathon 2025! Here we go again!

Emma Boocock: OS Employee – Ordnance Survey Field Surveyor (South Yorkshire)

Running for me is a way to explore new areas and visit places I would never usually travel to. It also shows me how much I can achieve when I put in the work and push myself. Throughout the many weeks and months of marathon training, I enjoy discovering new running spots and creating fresh routes in OS Maps to constantly keep things interesting. I plan races in locations I’ve never been before and love racing round exploring somewhere new. Additionally, I love the feeling of ticking off each of the sessions in the training block and seeing the steady progress towards that final goal. It’s incredibly rewarding crossing the finish line and celebrating all the hard work and dedication it took to get there!

Are you inspired to find out more about what it takes to train for a marathon? Ordnance Survey has teamed up with ABP Southampton Marathon and we’ll be back with more inspiration to guide you on your marathon journey.

 

Photo: ©Sam Taylor, Ordnance Survey

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