Seven Weeks, One Marathon, One Cause is a conversational podcast episode hosted by Tim Rogers, sitting down with runner David Morris to unpack an incredible challenge: training for the London Marathon with just seven weeks to prepare — all while working as Head of Fundraising for St Raphael’s Hospice and aiming to raise £2000 for them.

In this honest and down-to-earth discussion, David talks about saying yes before he felt ready, squeezing training around work, the physical and mental highs and lows of a compressed marathon build-up, and what it meant to run 26.2 miles for something bigger than himself. From doubt and sore legs to race-day emotions on the streets of London, this episode is about commitment, community, and what’s possible when purpose outweighs preparation.

Perfect for runners, charity supporters, and anyone who’s ever taken on a challenge with less time than they’d like — but all the right reasons to try. There are some great training and fundraising tips if you’re thinking of taking on a running challenge for your favourite charity.

For more podcasts go to https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/podcasts. We have two channels, this one and for members only. If you’d to be the focus of one just let us know using the chat function on the homepage.

If you’d like to support St Raphael’s Hospice you can more about their events here 

PODCAST NOTES

Keywords

fundraising, running, London Marathon, training, charity, half marathon, race day, fundraising strategies, personal journey, fitness

Summary

In this episode of the Don’t Forget Your Gels podcast, Tim Rogers speaks with David, Head of Fundraising at St. Raphael’s Hospice, about his journey as a runner and fundraiser. David shares his experiences training for the London Marathon with a limited timeframe, the challenges he faced, and the strategies he employed to successfully complete the race and raise his target of £2000. He also discusses his upcoming participation in the London Landmarks Half Marathon and offers insights into effective fundraising techniques, emphasising the importance of planning and consistency.

Takeaways

David has been in the charity fundraising sector for about 15 years.
He completed the London Marathon with only 7 weeks of training.
The experience of running the marathon was incredibly impactful for David.
He learned valuable lessons about pacing and strategy during the race.
David aims to apply his learnings to his upcoming half marathon.
Fundraising can be treated like a project with a clear plan.
Making an initial donation can set a positive precedent for fundraising.
Consistency is key in both training and fundraising efforts.
Engaging friends and family early can help build momentum for donations.
David emphasises the importance of being proactive and confident in fundraising.

Titles

Running for Charity: David’s Marathon Journey
From Fundraising to Finish Line: David’s Story

Sound bites

“I had to dig deep pretty much every time.”
“Treat it as a project.”
“I think it’s quite an easy win.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Charity Running and Fundraising
02:56 David’s Journey to the London Marathon
05:58 Training Insights and Challenges
08:54 Race Day Experience and Reflections
11:56 Future Aspirations and Upcoming Events
14:51 Fundraising Strategies and Tips
17:55 The Importance of Early Commitment
21:01 Final Thoughts and Conclusion