VSA are delighted to once again be represented at the World-Famous London Marathon this month!
Our seven runners will join thousands of participants across the UK - and further afield - to take on the experience of running 26.2 miles and earn that all important medal!
Not only will our team set out to achieve something incredible, their fundraising in aid of VSA will play a vital part in changing the lives of vulnerable children and adults.
How to follow VSA's London Marathon team on Sunday April 27th
32 year old Marcus wlll be taking on his first ever marathon, inspired from the 2024 Run Balmoral event.
"My friends and I just finished the Balmoral 10K which at that moment felt like a big achievement, feeling on top of the world. After the race, we celebrated and enjoyed a few drinks while chatting about our newfound “athletic” status. In that cheerful spirit, we jokingly declared we would tackle the London Marathon in 2025, completely overestimating our abilities - but now, here I am!"
Training for any sporting event always requires focus and commitment, and the marathon "journey" is no different - "Every run has felt like a new adventure, I’ve discovered the joy of pushing my limits."
"The whole experience, atmosphere when crossing that finish line and being able to say I’ve completed a marathon, is something I’d never thought I do."
Marcus will be cheered on in London by his fiancée and friends, with his daughters watching from home.
Good friends and colleagues Jo and Sarah, are proudly representing Ithaca Energy while raising funds for VSA.
They are both very excited for April 27th - "Running a marathon is on both of our bucket lists – so we leapt at the chance to run London Marathon as part of the VSA squad".
April has already been quite a busy month for both of them - with Sarah taking the Berlin Half Marathon recently, and it's a very special month for Jo who is getting married!
A lot of preparation has gone into their training over the past few months. "We're lucky enough to work with some seriously good runners, so they’ve been brilliant with lots of great advice on training, nutrition, fuelling, trainers… who knew there was so much to it..?!"
"Everyone speaks about how electric the atmosphere is on race day. The route itself is iconic but mostly we’re looking forward to running up the Mall on the final stretch of the race. We’ve been told the real work is in the training, with the race itself being the lap of victory!"
Jo and Sarah are very grateful for the support they have received so far. "Our colleagues have been nothing short of fantastic in supporting our fundraising - we had a brilliant turn out at our “Night at the Races” event! We’re so grateful for all the support, as it’s really helped when building ourselves up to go and do some of the longer training runs."
"On the day itself, we have friends and family coming with us as part of our support squad, with Sarah’s boys being especially proud of their mum!"
Meet VSA's very own Caitlin, proudly flying the flag for us in London!
23 year old Caitlin, who works within our Mental Wellbeing Support services, is also a part time fitness instructor and got " the bug" by running the Scottish Half Marathon last year.
Having only started running in early 2024, Caitlin now finds herself about to take part in the biggest run of them all!
Caitlin has been balancing the intense training with her work schedule - "Having such a busy schedule and no real “routine” as some days I’m working a lot of hours, with a lot of weekends being taken up by working too… having the time for long runs! I have still managed to stick to the plan, but had to change it about a bit to suit my busy little life!"
"For the big day itself, I am so excited for the atmosphere, running back and forth along the beach, as well as around Aberdeen can be mentally tough and I am hoping on the day that the atmosphere and adrenaline keeps spirits high and the legs moving!"
"My Mum, Dad, sister and boyfriend are coming down to London to support me. I really don’t think I could be doing it without them. Mum always making sure to send me GIFS when I am out on my long runs. My boyfriend also comes along for parts of my long runs to make them that little less tough."
We are delighted to welcome back Engineering Manager Mike to our Marathon Team! In the past, Mike has ran several races in aid of VSA, including the Chicago Marathon and the virtual edition of the London Marathon during lockdown.
But this year, he will run the world famous London Marathon for the first time - and to make the occasion extra special, he is doing so having recently just turned 50 years of age!
"Having just turned 50 I really wanted to do the home major marathon to mark the milestone, see if I can still break the 3hr mark, and raise funds for VSA who I’ve supported regularly since 2021. It would also get me half way through the original six major marathons and the ‘six star’ finishers medal."
"It’s not been easy training through the winter we’ve had, and there have been a lot of niggling aches and pains along the way. However, as spring is finally arriving I am feeling ok as we get to the hardest and longest few weeks in the training plan" With the big day just round the corner, Mike also took part in the Berlin Half Marathon recently as part of his training.
He adds "The support from the crowds cheering everyone on, and seeing the most iconic parts of the course from the runner’s perspective: Tower Bridge, the Cutty Sark, and the Embankment leading to Pall Mall."
Mike will be supported by friends from London and Aberdeen, including some running friends from Parkrun, and the Boston Marathon that are running London too this year.
At 33, Matty is preparing for his first marathon, inspired by his girlfriend Lisa, who ran in London for VSA back in 2023.
Throughout his training, he admits he come to appreciate the rewards of perseverance and hard work - "balancing midweek runs with a busy life hasn’t been easy, but the journey has been incredibly fulfilling!"
"What will excite me most is the energy of race day, the crowds, the atmosphere, and sharing this experience with my best friends Darren and Marcus who are also running for VSA this year."
Matty will be traveling to London with a group of friends and will be cheered on by his mum and Lisa. "Knowing they’ll be cheering from the sidelines makes it even more special."
Logistics Controller Darren completes our line up!
This is also the 37 year old's first ever marathon, and the training has been "a shock to the system - but going well now!"
"I'm really looking forward to running with my friends on the big day and taking in the amazing atmosphere. I have been fortunate enough to experience the London Marathon in the past as a spectator, but this will be a completely different experience!"
As a leading social care charity, with over 150 years of experience, we have always been at the forefront of providing vital care and support to vulnerable children and adults living across Aberdeen, and beyond.
We support people through some of the most challenging times they have ever experienced; we help them to take control of their lives for a brighter and better future.
Every day we change lives by supporting a person’s physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing through a wide range of health and social care services such as residential services and community outreach programmes.
