Sophie's Story: Running the Barcelona Marathon

When Sophie Cordell didn’t get a ballot place in the London Marathon, she decided to run the Barcelona Marathon and raised £2,300 for Saint Francis Hospice. This is her story:

Three years ago I moved to Spain to live with my partner Danny and our 4-year-old son Carter to run two café restaurants in Camposol, Spain.

I enjoy exercising and have found it has helped me mentally and physically. In 2017 I ran a half marathon in Southend and that was a huge challenge for me. Last year I watched the London marathon while working and a few days later I decided to sign up for a ballot place. 

The hospice cared for my mother-in-law and our family

As soon as I decided to sign up for the marathon, Saint Francis Hospice was the only charity I wanted to raise money for.

In 2018, my mother-in-law Maureen was very poor with myeloma cancer. We struggled to manage her pain. The hospice opened its doors and allowed her to have two stays on the ward. In February 2019 she went into their care and passed away with them. I could honestly say Maureen was given the best care.

They supported us as a whole family and continued to support my father-in-law when he was then alone after 64 years of marriage. We feel very close to the hospice after all the care and love we received. I remember Maureen laughing so much with the staff and, especially the tipple of Baileys she enjoyed on the nights the drink trolley came around. The staff work so hard and care for people like they are family.  The place that allowed us more time with Maureen and so much support.

Fundraising for Saint Francis Hospice

We know the hospice relies on donations and we support the charity with a monthly donation by dedicating a leaf on the Memory Tree to Maureen.

I’d always wanted to run the London Marathon but when I didn’t get a place, the fundraising team asked if I would consider the Barcelona Marathon and I said ‘yes’ immediately.

That was it! I was the hospice’s first international runner. It was a huge challenge for me and there was so much to think about.

Training for the Barcelona Marathon

I spoke to friends who have run many marathons and got a great plan for running. My training began on 16th November 2023 and I stuck to every single day of running. This I believe, along with fantastic trainers, got me through the run. Running for me is just time out, time to think and listen to music.

The training started off easy with 20-minute runs which I knew I could do. Then it got harder and harder. This became a worry the night before bigger runs. The bigger runs were on Sundays and I wrote out a plan to focus on.

I got 3 days a week off from running but 1- 2 days a week, I did a workout which was a different form of exercise. I found the training challenging due to having two businesses in Spain to run and also being a mother and partner. Some days I just couldn’t deal with the idea of running but I knew this would let me fall behind and could affect me on the day.

The month before the run was the hardest as that included 3 and 3.5 hour runs which you really need to prepare for.

I treated myself to a new pair of Nike Alphafly 2 trainers in January - they were the best thing I have ever spent money on. It was like running on air. They really did get me through the training and the big day.

Arriving in Barcelona

A few days before the marathon, we decided to go to Barcelona to sightsee and enjoy the beautiful city. On the Friday, we walked to collect my t-shirt and chip. It was a great experience as there were also lots of stalls there selling clothes, giving guidance and also things being sold like gels to drink through the run.

On the Saturday, it was pouring with rain and I dreaded running in the rain for many reasons like slipping. I got an early night with all my bits laid out.

Race Day!

On the Sunday, I got up early. I’d had a terrible night's sleep worrying that I couldn’t do it. I walked to the start line on my own as my son was not impressed about leaving the hotel too early!

Amazing atmosphere

As we started, the atmosphere was amazing. There were live singers as we walked to the line. I then realised I was in the group for 3 hours and 45-minute pacer instead of 4 hours 15 minutes pacer but it was too late to move. I thought I would start with the group and then I could fall behind.

As we started it was tricky, so many feet moving at the same time but having so many people around also kept me focused. As the race continued, people spread out.

From start to finish, there were supporters along the sides cheering everyone on and shouting our names as they were on our T-shirts. We also had singers, drummers, guitarists and cheerleaders keeping us entertained.

Injuries on the run

As I ran along the course, I saw lots of people fall over but others quickly helped them up and off they went again. One guy completely collapsed on the ground in front of me. It was hard to see as it was over the half-way mark and it worried me.

At around mile 12, I twisted my ankle on a small pothole, but I kept going. I had my partner and a couple of friends trying to see me at different points to cheer me on.

The hardest part for me was having to run down a long road and then to come back on yourself. I didn’t even stop use the toilet when I needed to because there were long queues at the toilet stations.

Struggling at mile 20

I kept with the 3-hours and 45-minute pacer right up until around mile 16 but then he started to get further away.

I kept looking behind and thinking, if I keep going, I may fall back with the 4-hour pacer but that’s still under 4-hours and 15-minutes - the time I wanted to come in at.

As I got to mile 20, I started to struggle. The muscles in my thighs felt like they had split but I didn’t have time to stop. I had gel finishers, water, and Aquarius drinks which were given out along the way. People also gave out slices of oranges and bananas.

Mentally challenging

Mentally, I found it hard to run in kilometres. I felt I was running 42 miles not 26.2 miles. At around kilometre 40, I really was at my limit. I turned the music right up and kept going.

My partner Danny and my son then started to run alongside me, cheering for me to keep going. My husband joked that if I went a little faster, I’d get there and it would be over. This didn’t impress me as I really was at my limit and I told him to leave me alone! The people around me found that funny.

Crossing the finish line!

As we came round the next corner, I saw the Arc de Triomf… that was it, I saw the blue carpet, that was the finish line!

As I came through, I didn’t even realise the time ?" I had finished in 3 hours 54 minutes and 17 seconds! I had completely smashed my target time!

I’m so proud of myself

Originally, I was aiming for 4 hours and 30 minutes but then before the day, I thought I could push to 4 hours and 15 minutes. I was so proud of myself, and so over the moon to have run with these people! I collected the medal with a huge smile.

We kept walking all afternoon to ease my legs out. I think it is better than just going back and sitting as this would not have helped in the days ahead.

What’s next?

That was it, it was finished. I was extremely emotional in the following days. I had spent 4 months of my life training so hard and putting everything into making sure I had done enough and now it was all over.

The question is - would I do another one? YES! The bug is here and here to stay! The feeling was incredible! The atmosphere was incredible and I felt so proud of myself for what I had just completed.

If you ever think of doing it, just do it! You won’t regret it! I raised £2,300 in total and I hope this helps a little towards the hospice.