Introducing our next pair of #MotivateAMate winners, Christine and Stephen.

Introducing brother and sister duo, Christine and Stephen. Our third pair of #MotivateAMate winners.

We all need a mate to keep us going. Whether it’s during a training session or there to give you the pep talk you didn’t know you needed.

That’s why we’ve relaunched this year’s #MotivateaMate competition, to celebrate the role that running buddies, friends and, family play in making training and running a marathon that much easier.

Our lucky winners have been given VIP entries into the 2022 Yorkshire Marathon, entry into our marathon training day in July, as well as a load of other free goodies from our partners Erdinger Alkoholfrei. In return, they’ll be taking us on their marathon journey over the next few months, sharing the ups and downs as they prepare for this year’s Yorkshire Marathon.

Keep reading to find out more about Christine and Stephen’s reason for entering the competition and their running journey so far.

How does it feel to have won #MotivateaMate, what was your reaction when you found out?

Christine: It felt absolutely amazing to find out we had won a place! I was so excited to tell my brother-  then realisation kicked in and I spent the next hour or so researching what we needed to do and began looking at some better running trainers!

We’d love to know more about why you decided to enter?

Christine: We have always wanted to complete a marathon, but it was something I personally imagined doing before reaching 35 - giving me plenty of training time and to get a lot of half marathons under the belt! However, I felt as though I kept saying I wanted to do one, but never made any effort into preparing or applying.  

My partner’s cousin Shonagh, has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer - this was all the motivation I needed. I really wanted to do something that would help raise money for charity, share Shonagh’s message and push myself as far out of my comfort zone as physically and mentally possible. My brother was an easy person to ask to support and share this journey with - he’s very positive and I know will help keep my training on track. 

Are you both seasoned runners or are you just starting out on your running journey?

Christine: Although we are both fairly active- I would never class myself as a long-distance runner! I’m very much a novice in this field! Stephen is definitely more of a runner; he runs fairly frequently and sets himself mini challenges!

I’ve only every ran two 10k’s around 4 years ago. Stephen on the other hand has completed a couple of 15k runs within the last 6 months! A good music playlist and a promise of ice cream kept me going - maybe this time we’ll need all the trimmings (or maybe something a little stronger!)

What’s your top tip for motivation when you really don’t want to go out?

Christine: Remembering why we are doing this. I know on the cold mornings, dark or wet nights it’s going to be a mental struggle to get going! Keeping focus on ‘why’ will more than be enough! I know that Stephen won’t let me fail either - he’ll keep pushing me I’m sure!  

I understand that you both haven’t done a marathon before, how are you feeling about completing your first one?

Christine: Apprehensive, nervous and definitely excited! This will really test us both physically and mentally. It will be a complete shift in our lifestyle of what we eat, when we train and our overall mindsets - but we are both very competitive and we won’t want to let the other one, or the family down! 

What are your running goals for this challenge/this year?

Christine: We would both like to complete and enter lots of races this year! Something we’ve never done before! Hitting some PR’s in both time and distance would be a wonderful treat!

For more Marathon updates from Christine and Stephen, keep an eye out on here and our social channels over the next coming weeks and months.