‘The atmosphere was electric’: Dounreay duo share their marathon experiences

Dounreay duo Julieanne Leslie and Fiona Miller both ran the London Marathon but for different reasons.

Afterwards, Julie said “the entire day was amazing” while Fiona declared: “It truly was the best day ever.”

Julieanne, a seasoned marathon runner, has set herself the ambitious goal of completing all the major marathons: New York, London, Tokyo, Berlin, Boston and Chicago.

She began her journey last November with the New York Marathon. When she unexpectedly secured a spot in the London Marathon through the ballot, she was thrilled – despite the limited time to prepare.

Fiona, on the other hand, had been dreaming of running the marathon for 12 years and this dream came true in January when she was offered a reserve place.

Fiona ran as part of the British Heart Foundation (BHF) team, motivated by her father and father-in-law’s heart conditions.

The opportunity was bittersweet, as her father-in-law had passed away on New Year’s Day. When she received the offer at the end of January, she felt she had to run in his memory.

Julieanne said: “The day of the London Marathon was very warm, but there were extra water stations and run-through showers to help cool us down.

“Having watched the London Marathon on TV so many times, I still get goosebumps thinking about participating.

“The kind messages from my family and friends meant so much to me.

“People tell me that I smile a lot when I run, and I know it’s true. I feel very thankful to be physically and mentally able to run, and I hope my story and pictures can inspire others.

“Marathon running isn’t about speed or pace – it’s about working with your body, training it and taking care of yourself.

“Running is a great sport that anyone can do with just a pair of trainers. You just need to prepare for the weather, tell someone where you’re going and what time to expect you back, and you’re set.”

Fiona said: “The atmosphere was electric from start to finish, with cheers from the crowds, various bands and singers along the route, and the camaraderie with fellow runners. It’s not every day you have a drag queen singing and running beside you.

“The biggest boost was spotting my husband Archie in the crowd at mile seven near the Cutty Sark and one of my oldest school friends at mile 24, along with the BHF cheer points.

“I was extremely lucky to have a ticket to the finishing line grandstand, so Archie was able to see me cross the finish line with a smile that grew bigger with each passing mile.

“Although receiving my finisher’s medal was a long-awaited moment, the best part of the day was knowing I had raised over £6800 for the BHF to help beat heartbreak forever.”

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