Sandra has run the London Marathon, not once, but twice, before, in 1998, and then in 2010. What stands out in her memory of the 2010 run?
“Reaching the end!” she laughs. “I’ve never been so glad to see Buckingham Palace in my life. Though reaching the beginning was almost as challenging. A friend brought me to Reading station, but there were no trains running that day. So she drove me into London and dropped me at Harrods for the Underground. However, no trains were stopping there that day either. I did eventually make it in the time for the race.”
Sandra was herself a midwife, working for the NHS for over 30 years. When she retired, she joined the Sowerby Bridge Snails running group. A friend in the group was planning to run the London Marathon this year and roped Sandra in for support. This will be her fourth marathon since she turned 60, as she has also run in New York, taken part in the innaugural Rob Burrow Marathon in Leeds, and run the Loch Ness Marathon. “I would recommend that to anyone - there are no crowds, and it’s stunning.”
When it came to London, I was looking to run for a charity that meant something to me. Iolanthe was just what I was looking for.
Sandra also happens to be the mother of triplets; with the memory of the “safe hands” of her colleagues in Huddersfield meaning a great deal to her.
And what does she remember best about her own midwifery career?
“The faces of mothers - their reactions, the moment they first see their babies. I always wished I had camera to record those moments. They are very special, always.”
The Iolanthe Team will run the London Marathon on Sunday April 21st, so tune in on Iolanthe social media for updates.
Click to donate to our amazing runners Sandra, Dennis and Kevin (left, with running buddy Eddie)