Ben’s London Marathon training journey: meet Ben from Fairthorne Manor
So… we’ve got news.
Ben from Fairthorne Manor is doing a marathon, the big one!… London Marathon 2026.
Cue excitement and Ben’s mild panic.
This post kicks off Ben’s London Marathon training journey.
It will be fun, it will be honest will absolutely include moments where runs are swapped for naps. Especially when Christmas lands and someone shouts “mince pies!”.
In Ben’s words
“I have never attempted a marathon before but go big or go home, right?!
I have always dabbled in running, but in 2019 I decided to get a bit more serious about it. Skip forward 6 years and after running the ABP Southampton ½ Marathon in April 2025, I decided I wanted to really challenge myself – what better than the London Marathon?!
I work in the HR team for YMCA Fairthorne Group and so I see, first hand, the hard work that my colleagues and our volunteers put in to help young people have a better start in life. It is a privilege to fundraise for them.
I will be documenting my progress on Strava & TikTok – give me a follow to keep up to date with my progress https://www.strava.com/athletes/60552262 or https://www.tiktok.com/@bensmarathonmood
If you are able to sponsor me in my biggest ever challenge, even just a few £s, I cannot express how much it would mean to me.
Just giving link: https://www.justgiving.com/page/benjamin-cooper-1989
Best Efforts:
5K 21:53
10K 48:46
10 mile 1:20
Half-Marathon 1:46”
Follow Ben and say hi
- Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/60552262
- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bensmarathonmood
- A quick “you’ve got this” & follow will be seen. It will be appreciated too!
- Sponsorships can be small or big. Either way, they help: https://www.justgiving.com/page/benjamin-cooper-1989
Shoes are being laced, playlists are curated.. Ben’s London Marathon training journey is officially on.
