Community spotlight: Emily Rogers & the Big Sur Marathon

Congratulations to WMN RUN regular Emily who recently conquered the scenic but hilly Big Sur Marathon - and set a PB while she was at it. We sit down Emily to find out more about her race.

Who are you and how long have you been running with WMN RUN?

I’m Emily, I’m a paediatric nurse from Australia! I first joined WMN run in 2019 shortly after I moved to the UK, when I was looking to meet people who I could connect with while running!

What made you want to run the Big Sur Marathon?

I had run London Marathon in October 2021, and was pretty keen to give the distance another go. I then visited Big Sur actually and when I heard they closed the road for a marathon I was sold! It’s such a beautiful part of the world. 

What was your favourite part of the race? 

There is this part of the course, called Hurricane Point, where we ran uphill for 2 miles, gaining 600 feet in elevation. The headwind was insane, and the hill was quite relentless but at the top the view was amazing, looking down on the famous Bixby Bridge where someone was playing a grand piano for us all. It was just incredible! 

How many marathons have you done so far?

Just 2 so far but I’m considering Valencia in December!! 

What’s your top tip to someone facing their first marathon?

Not to stress about running a certain time! I feel like your first marathon is such an unknown, and also such an achievement, no matter how fast or slow you are! 

What’s next? 

Hopefully Valencia Marathon - I would love to run sub-4 hours, so fingers crossed!!!

Bristol School Project Finale

We are SO proud of our Bristol Met students for completing our Bristol school scheme and taking on their first 5K at Eastville parkrun. After 9 weeks, 1/3 of our year 10 class ran and walked the distance, and they each did so well. We feel privileged to have spent the last 2 months watching them develop, grow, and find the joy in moving their bodies and being outside together - fundamental things that can be a huge benefit to teenagers.

Thank you to Under Armour for kitting out the students with the important essentials and to Bristol MET Academy for giving us the opportunity! We’re currently planning what a continuation of this project will look like, as the response has been so positive from our students. Watch this space!

Our favourite parkrun routes

Finding a great new running route is such a great feeling! We’re launching a shared resource of running routes in London and Bristol to help you explore your area. First up we will be listing some of our favourite to help you plan your routes. If you have any to add do let us know via wmnrun@gmail.com, we’d love to include as many as possible.

If you haven’t heard of parkrun, it’s a free weekly timed 5k run, with events happening all over the world. WMN RUN visit a parkrun once a month in London and every other month in Bristol. Here are some of our favourites to inspire you.

To see where we’re planning to run next, head over to our Heylo calendar.

Southwark Park, London

This is a lovely flat 3-lap course that’s good for both PBs and a gentle chat with friends. There is also a lovely cafe just a few metres from the finish you can get coffee and ice cream!

Brockwell Park, London

A long and a shorter lap keep things interesting, and while there are a couple of hills to battle, they are manageable. There are loads of places to get a coffee in the surrounding area - we recommend Perks & White in Herne Hill Station.

Hampstead Heath, London

We can’t lie, this one is seriously hilly, with about 100m of elevation. But the hills are great training, and it’s all worth it for that runner’s high and many places to get a post-run pastry in lovely Hampstead.

Highbury Fields, London

Just over the road from the Tube station, this is a 5-lap course, so try not to lose count! This is a really friendly location, and there are lots of post-run options nearby. We recommend VENT! Coffee co for delicious cakes and a beautiful outdoor seating area.

Eastville Park, Bristol

Eastville Park is comprised of three laps, each different, each containing a hill, and with it, a great downhill, too. You will get a chance to take in the lake on your way around and see other runners as they make their way through. At the top of the park Kind Regards Coffee Co. are on hand for treats and coffee afterwards. They even stock our favourite plant-based Forest Bakery pastries.

Ashton Court, Bristol

Ashton Court isn’t for the faint-hearted, but it’s well worth a visit, even if only for the views. The route runs from the centre of Ashton Court and is essentially 2.5K uphill and 2.5K down, with a flat gravel section in the middle. After the halfway point you can take off the brakes as you have the chance to run all the way downhill to the finish line, maybe stopping at Courtyard Cafe after for a coffee. 

If you have any to add, please do email us on wmnrun@gmail.com, or message us on instagram, we’d love to hear them.

School project update

Week 3 of our couch to 5K school project in Bristol, our year 10 students are doing brilliantly. Some learnings so far ✨

The group much (MUCH) prefer longer runs and breaks to shorter runs and shorter breaks. Soaking up those very useful rest periods.

  • Giving the students autonomy in space (in allowing them to train off school grounds) has been a great incentive for them and a big hit. It was worth their fantastic P. E teacher Hannah helping us to push for this.

  • Their pacing is 90% there, we still have a few sprinters!

  • The students are tough cookies and are not fazed by bad weather at all.

  • Sadly the thought of running in front of other children at school horrifies a number of them, we're hoping to change this, but let's see. It's a process. On to the next few weeks we go.