Yorkshire Marathon Legend: Meet James Roden

For the 12th consecutive year, James Roden will be lacing up his running shoes for the Yorkshire Marathon — a remarkable streak that has earned him the well-deserved title of Yorkshire Marathon Legend.

To motivate you ahead of race day, we held a Q&A, where he shares insights, memories, and motivation from over a decade of marathon running.

When did you start running?

“Essentially 2013 to train for the first YM.  I had done 1 marathon before but not laced up for some time".

What made you sign up for the first Yorkshire Marathon?

“I had just turned 40 and wanted to ensure I was still fit and healthy by 50”.

What do you do the day before a marathon?

“As little as possible. I do a 2 mile shake out run on the Friday and have a massage but nothing on the Saturday”.

What would be your piece of advice for first time marathon runners?

“Treat it as 3 runs, 1^st run is the half marathon and steady away, 2^nd run is to mile 20 and dig in and 3^rd run to the end is pure grit”.

What do you treat yourself with after a race?

“I am rarely hungry immediately after but crave a bacon butty later on with a couple of beers”.

How do you fuel yourself during a race?

“High 5 gels with caffeine”.

What’s your must have running song?

“The Eton Rifles by The Jam”.

How does running added to your day to day life?

“Best stress relief on the market, allowing a bit of time to yourself to process things”

What’s your favourite Yorkshire Marathon memory?

“Collapsing at the end of the first marathon, one of my children cried and the other laughed”.