Records All Around at London Marathon 2024!

RECORDS ALL AROUND AT THE LONDON MARATHON!

Eren Perez, our remarkable Co-Athlete of the Year Award 2024 winner, has set yet another inspiring example of grit and excellence. At the prestigious London Marathon, Eren delivered an extraordinary performance, achieving a personal best by shaving 3 minutes off her previous record. This remarkable feat stands as a testament to her dedication, resilience, and sheer athleticism.

The London Marathon 2024 was a historic event, setting a world record with 56,000 participants—the largest number of athletes ever to compete in a marathon. Against this vibrant and competitive backdrop, Eren's achievement sparkled as a beacon of individual triumph amidst a sea of collective accomplishment.

Congratulations Eren!!

Here is Eren's race report:

This year’s London marathon lined up to be two weeks after a work conference in London, so I decided to hike in Austria and Slovenia in between the work conference and the marathon. The weather was fantastic and somehow I ended up hiking a total of 100kms the week before the race. I wasn’t sure if I was going to recover on time but it was so worth it! Race day would also be day number 23 of being on the road, living out of a backpack which means I didn’t have my normal nutrition, treatment, recovery, bed, etc. 

Race day came quickly and leading up to the race we started getting warning emails about the weather. It was going to be really hot and we were told that Sunday was not the day for records. I have had limited heat training but didn't let the emails shatter my goal, instead I started focusing on my heat race plan. 

The race started and my legs felt fresh and smooth. My game plan was to go hard and hold on until I couldn’t, while keeping cool as much as possible. I accepted this could go either really well or really bad. The London crowds were unreal, there was noise the entire 42.2 kms! I normally race with music and little did I know I wouldn’t be able to hear my music because of how loud the cheers were!! The energy was magical and I constantly had to remind myself to slow down. I caught a pacer at around km 13 and stayed with them for a while until I dropped them. I then caught another pacer at around km 25 and stayed with them until the last 5kms. The pacers were a huge help and allowed me to enjoy the race without having to pace myself. The last 5kms came and it was time to listen to coach Julia to make sure I finished strong. Coach Julia told me I can hold zone 5 for 15minutes and so I did! It was the longest 15 minutes but she believed in me and so did I. So grateful my body and mind kept me going strong for the full distance and delivered on a big ask! 

I finished strong at 3:16:15 and so proud of what I accomplished. This was over three minutes faster than my previous personal best. I also got to be part of London’s Guinness world record for most finishers ever. My 21st marathon is one for the books!

My mantra for this race was "Run happy" and "fly Eren fly" - and I did :)

Eren