Announcing our final #MotivateAMate winners, Sasha and James.

Introducing our final pair of #MotivateAMate winners, Sasha and James. 

During marathon training, we all need a mate to give 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.

Sasha and James run to inspire their son Noah who has cerebral palsy and is a full time wheelchair user.

We recently caught up to have a chat, to find out more around their motivations for running and how they plan on keeping each other motivated. 

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

Sasha: We are super excited to have won this competition. I couldn’t wait to tell my husband and son that I would be running the Yorkshire marathon. 

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

Sasha: We decided to enter to give us a goal for the end of the year to work towards and keep us on track for a healthy 2022.

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

Sasha: We run quite a lot! We certainly aren’t novices but I’ve only been running for the last 5 years and James for around the last 8.  

What’s been your longest run to date, how did you get through it?

Sasha: We were lucky enough to do the London marathon last year but we are really looking forward to doing a marathon in our home city of York. London was my first marathon and it involved a lot of training but my husband James got me through it on the day with his positive support while we ran despite my moaning after the half way mark. 

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

Sasha: I just think about how I will feel after I’ve run and how I’ll deserve a piece of cake! 

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

Sasha: Less than 4 hours would be an absolute dream but I’ll be more than happy with 4 hours 15 mins. 

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