Rachel's First Ever Marathon | London Marathon 2023 | A Mile-by-Mile Journey

[@chrisshaw2810]

I really like this video. I ran the same time, and this is just accurate reportage - no false emotion, no drama, just transactional running, and what it was like from a participants point of view - excellent work.

[@T29RAG]

What a lovely video, well done. I’m running the 2024 it’s my first ever marathon so super excited and honoured to be taking part

[@TheVeganRunner]

Thank you! You are going to love it - the crowd support pulls you all the way around and the atmosphere is incredible. I didn’t stop smiling! We’re heading there again this year ☺️ Have a great training block and see you at the finish line!

[@tworunningbrooms]

What a day for Rachel. She looked as if she enjoyed every minute of those 4 hours. An unforgettable experience.

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Thanks for watching! It really was an amazing experience- the crowd support was fantastic, absolutely loved it 😊

[@scottstoddart5711]

Go You!! Massive congratulations. I ran myself, physically recovered but the support and the noise still hasn’t sunk in.

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Thanks Scott! Congratulations on your marathon- hope you did well? I’ve pretty much recovered too, and after a few days was able to use steps again without wincing, although the first week back running was slow going 😅 It still hasn’t sunk in that I did it, such an amazing experience that I’ll never forget. Thanks for watching 😊

[@paulashton9705]

This was great! I’m running it in 2024 and this really brought through how great the crowd is. And the sense of achievement from you was wonderful. Really enjoyed watching this.

[@TheVeganRunner]

Thank you! Hope to see you there next year - can’t wait to get back on that course and experience that crowd again - good luck with you training ☺️

[@timeonfeet]

Well done Rachel, super achievement and great videoing. Really captured the atmosphere well, big congrats 🎉

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Thank you! The atmosphere was so amazing, glad I could share the experience 😁

[@thelaidbackrunner]

Wonderful achievement! So proud of Rachel! It was lovely to see you both afterward to celebrate!

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Thanks Steven, it was fantastic to see you too and look forward to running with you again at Eden Project!

[@markconnelly4009]

Congratulations on finishing your first marathon Rachel one more than I! As for the finish you gave it everything you could so well done you! Plus great control of the camera!

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Thanks Mark! Hope it’s inspired you to give your own first marathon a go 😉 Once I saw that finish line I knew I could give it my all - with the help of the amazing crowds and immense feeling of relief (my watch gps was saying 26.2 quite a while before the end so on every corner in the last half mile I was hoping 😂)

[@christinaclementson]

A great first marathon Rachel! Excellent running and you were overtaking everyone in those final miles! Sub 4 will come next time. Huge congratulations 🎉

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Thanks Christina! Training really paid off in those late miles - always a boost to my confidence when I’m o retaking too 💪

[@georgelopata5007]

Amazing, huge congrats Rachel 👍💪👏🎉✌️

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Thank you George 😁

[@c0ntr1but10n]

Your energy throughout this was absolutely brilliant, well done for such a Herculean task!!!!! 🙏🙌

[@coops111s]

Take a bow Rachel 😀 👏👏that was amazing, gave the chap a “gotcha” at the start 😂 brilliant video with commentary too, yes you will smash the 4 hour mark especially with me chasing you next year 🤞

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Thanks Steve! Haha yes I was clearly more excited about starting than they were 😂 Will defo Italy try to get myself further towards the front of the wave at the start line next time.. Fingers crossed you get in next year, you’ll love it. The support from the crowds was brilliant 😊

[@Bruno-jh6ef]

Well done 👏👏👏

[@TheVeganRunner]

Thank you!

[@davidfigg]

Well done Rachael!!!! Digging in deep for the end,fantastic 🎉

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Thank you Charles! All those fast finish training sessions paid off 💪

[@davidfigg]

@@rachelbillinghurst9367 it sure did pay off, well deserved 👌

[@trueredred859]

Well done Rachel,happiest runner ever ❤

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Thanks for watching 😁 I find smiling really does help me get through a race, plus the crowds were so amazing that I couldn’t help it! Such an amazing experience, looking forward to the next one

[@stevevaughan5628]

Amazing. Well done Rachel 🎉

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Thanks Steve! 😁

[@BradleySingerRuns]

Lee you must be so proud of Rachel and her first marathon. she ran a fantasitc race and i am sure she can break that 4 hour mark.

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Thank you so much Bradley 😁

[@TheVeganRunner]

Very proud Bradley! It wasn’t that long ago she wasn’t sure she’d ever run a marathon… now she’s training for an ultra 😅

[@BradleySingerRuns]

@@rachelbillinghurst9367I’ve just read Lees comment about an ultra marathon. Are you mad 🤪.

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Haha yep the madness is contagious 🤣

[@brionia9760]

You looked so strong all the way, well done rachel 🎉

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Thanks so much! The crowd support was amazing, they carried me along all the way 😁

[@debbiepriest8123]

Congratulations, you did so well and looked so happy all the way through. You will break sub 4 next time. Congratulations to hubby too, he managed an amazing time.

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Thanks Debbie, I loved it- the crowd support was so incredible that I couldn’t help but smile the whole way! Lee did amazing, so impressed with his progressive PBs- so glad o could share the experience with him this time round 😁

[@davesharratt917]

Amazing Rachel 🎉

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Thank you Dave 😁🏅

[@lucycrowhurst5514]

Well done you did do super and you stayed to positive throughout. Can I ask do you have to wear your race number on the front or can you wear it on your back or on your leg? Also what do you pack in your bag? As I was assuming I’d give everything I needed to my hubby but now I have realised it might be a long time till I find him so will be grateful for things like warm clothes she snacks in my bag.

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Thank you! I don’t know whether or not you can wear your number in the back, but I think some people possibly wear on their leg. I packed a comfy change of clothes (hoodie, joggers which I threw over my race clothes and trainers/socks) and a banana and water too I think..! I also put my phone in there but was at my own risk, and as far I can remember tubes were free for racers so didn’t need it to pay for anything (but we were going straight to somewhere to eat) We received bags at the end too with a tshirt, water and flapjack. I didn’t actually get changed until I found Lee because it was a constantly moving crowd of us finding our way to the meet and greet area- took me forever to find our agreed spot!

[@lucycrowhurst5514]

@@rachelbillinghurst9367 ah thank you for your reply. I’m a blind runner so I was worried about how I would meet up with my family afterwards or even find my bag from the bag drop so I have applied to have a guide runner which would be especially helpful for those things. Interesting you didn’t have your phone on the run with you I think I’d want mine so if anything happened I could ring my family and let them know

[@TheNextraa]

Well done, Rachel!

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Thank you so much!

[@HarpersHotList]

Brilliant, you did the same as Lee, just kept overtaking people! There were at least 3 4 hour flag carriers all pretty spread out! It's very crowded around 4 hours, would do my head in, plus dodging all the discarded bottles/cups. You did so well, my first marathon was a similar time and I ran over an hour faster 10 years later. You'll be even faster on your next one :)

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Thank you so much! It was so hard to keep with the pacers with there being so many others, kept losing ground due to weaving but it always feels good to be overtaking at miles 20 onwards! I was getting pretty mentally fatigued towards the end as I had to keep dodging people who had stopped in their tracks whilst avoiding injuring myself in the process- it was a bit frustrating having to interrupt my stride/pace, especially on those beloved down hills! Really pleased with how it went through, and thank you so much for coming to support in the day- seeing the VR cheer station at Tower Bridge was awesome 💚🖤

[@littlepeaps]

Brilliant!!!!

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Thank you! 😁😁

[@WorldT]

thanks for showing this, did you find holding a camera for whole marathon slowed you down a bit?

[@TheVeganRunner]

It can take you out of the rhythm a little, sometimes it's a helpful distraction though. Hard to say definitively as neither of us has raced a marathon without taking a GoPro with us :)

[@lizgreen2936]

Great video Yr such a happy runner I love it so positive!!.. 😁🏃‍♀️My friend and I travelled up from Glasgow to spectate and it was amazing!!.. Well done.....🎉🎉🎉 Ive just subbed too you.... X

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Thank you so much ☺️ It was so amazing, hope you had waterproofs and brollies! ☔️🌧️

[@lizgreen2936]

@@rachelbillinghurst9367 nope!!... Adrenaline and seeing all those runners we didn't need brollies were from Glasgow... 😂😂😂x

[@runningstories4791]

Congratulations well done.

[@G_Widdicombe]

Very well done. Really consistent pacing.

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Thanks Graydon 😁 I’m surprised how well I paced it as my watch GPS was all over the place, as was I with the weaving! My original intention was to negative split it but wanted to take advantage of the ‘downhill’ start (without getting too carried away 😅)

[@christinaflanniganproudpin5136]

Well done.. what selfie stick is that and lenses?

[@TheVeganRunner]

Thanks Christina - I used an Insta360 OneX2 with the standard selfie stick that come with it.

[@marcwilding4804]

How did you film this Rachel? As in what kit?

[@TheVeganRunner]

I used the Insta360 One X2 with the standard invisible selfie stick.

[@PhilipHughes-sq3th]

Hey! - i've just dropped you an email about using this footage in this year's BBC coverage of the marathon. Would be amazing if you could come back to me as soon as you can. Thanks so much. Phil Hughes

[@TheVeganRunner]

Hi Phil, thank you! Sent you a reply this morning 👍

[@virtualrunning]

Well done Vegan Runner 4 ever!

[@rachelbillinghurst9367]

Thank you! 😊

[@runningclueless]

I was there too 🎉 and vegan

[@TheVeganRunner]

Awesome! ☺️ We’ve just started training for next years 😁

[@runningclueless]

@@TheVeganRunner do you have any tips on fuelling

[@TheVeganRunner]

@@runningclueless This works quite well for a lot of runners - try to take on a gel or equivalent every 30mins approx. Between now and then, try it out a couple of times, try different gels etc and see what works for you.