Standing at the start line surrounded by thousands of runners I wondered what on earth I was letting myself in for. I had never run a race before in my life let alone a marathon and, until five weeks before, never imagined I would.
But here I was about to take part in one of the biggest and most popular marathons in the world, The London Marathon. It all started when two of my brothers told me they wanted to run, but were struggling to find a charity to let them take part on their behalf.
I sprang into action and, soon enough found a fantastic charity which helps people with learning difficulties – Norwood – which would let them run. But there was a catch. They said they would only let my brothers run under their name if I ran too!
Laughing at the idea I was shocked when I realised they were being completely serious.
I told them I was 53 and had never run before in my life. But they wouldn’t give up, leaving me no other option than to agree to take part. Then came the next hurdle. Unlike most of the people taking part who got their places a year before the event, I had just five weeks to train and raise £2,000.
I booked an appointment with my doctor and the response I got still makes me chuckle – he said I was mad! But, with no time to lose, I started jogging round the block. But I’m a busy woman and I found it difficult to fit in anywhere near enough training.
I contacted my family and friends and asked them to sponsor me. The response I got was very mixed. Some thought it was incredible and wished me luck, but some were shocked.
One friend even offered me double if I didn’t run because he was worried I’d injure myself.
But I won everyone round and I was overwhelmed with the amount of money I was able to raise in such a short amount of time.
Before I knew it, I was stood at the starting line about to run 26 miles.
The day was incredible.
Surrounded by people of all ages, shapes, sizes and circumstances, I began the race on a real buzz and it was that amazing atmosphere that got me through. I chatted to everyone I passed, and many people commented on the fact that I ran in a long skirt and white hat.
Half way around I noticed a TV crew filming runners and so I stopped for a chat. They looked surprised, no one ever stops mid race, but I had something I wanted to tell them.
I told them my name was Flora, and I was running the Flora London Marathon. And before I knew it I was live on TV!
Crossing the finish line I felt a real mix of emotions, from happiness to pride and relief. I finished with a time of five hours, 49 minutes and 29 seconds. The next day I received phone calls of congratulations but nothing compared to being able to give the charity a cheque for £4,000.
From that moment on running marathons became a huge part of my life. I realised how much money can be raised for amazing causes. Since that first race in 1997 I have run the London Marathon every year without fail.
But I wanted to do more. So in 2000 I travelled to America and took part in my first New York marathon. It was incredible, and I got a real buzz.
Every time I ran I raised more money, starting at £4,000 and going up by nearly £2,000 each time. I thought to myself, why stop at just two marathons a year? Why not do more?
So in January 2001 I packed my bags and boarded a place to Israel to run the International Tiberias Marathon.
The weather was a lot warmer, the wind was extremely powerful. I passed a man who was really struggling.
Unlike other marathons, the Tiberias closes its finish line at six hours, so if you miss this you don’t get a medal. I ran with him, spurred him on, and we finished in the nick of time.
I’m 68 now, a great-grandmother, and I’m about to run my 23rd marathon in April this year, taking part in the Virgin London Marathon.
In total I’ve raised over £180,000 for the Norwood charity, and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon. Running marathons keeps me feeling fresh and I plan to carry on running as long as the good Lord lets me.
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