Stephen competes in the M60 category. He has been running for nearly 20 years, and to date has completed 27 marathons, most recently London 2024 where he broke 3 hours for the first time, taking over 6 minutes off his PB.

How did you get into running?

I started running after my wife entered me for a half marathon to raise money for a local charity.

What is your marathon history?

I’ve now done 27 marathons. I did my first marathon in London when I turned 50 years old in 2012, so it has been a 12-year marathon career so far!

How did your training go for London this year?

The 15-week training programme went very well. I really got my long run training right this time, and also learned how to taper more effectively.

I had some confidence-boosting races in the build-up too: I ran 86:06 in a half marathon in Preston in January, then 2 weeks later did an 87:28 in Farnborough. I did 2:22 for a 20-mile race in Bramley in February, then broke 40 minutes for a 10k in London. I also picked up an M60 silver medal at the Scottish 10 mile championships in March.

I’ve had great ongoing valuable advice from fellow Edinburgh Athletic Club members as well as support from my physio Kenny Watt (Project Physio), and some terrific tips from my daughter who has just recently done her first marathon.

How did your race go in London?

Everything went to plan! I kept to an even 6:50/mile pace and the splits I was running built my confidence that I could finish strongly and do a negative split. In the end I ran 2:58:36, and this was a PB by over 6 minutes.

I was hoping to be in the top 3 of the Scottish marathon championships for V60, and I was over the moon to come in first! I’m absolutely delighted and very proud, it’s still sinking in!

What’s next?

My next marathon will be in Abingdon in October, but before then I will be running in various shorter races for Edinburgh Athletic Club including the national 5k and 10k.

Interviewed by John Lenehan