Wednesday 2nd April 2025
At Challengers, we are incredibly proud to have one of our own taking on the challenge of the London Marathon! Ben, the Leader at Challengers’ Guildford Play scheme, is swapping playtime for pavement-pounding as he trains for this incredible feat. We sat down with him to hear all about his journey, from his first 5K to tackling 26.2 miles, and why running for Challengers means so much to him.
Q: Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your role at Challengers?
Ben: I’m Ben, the Leader at Challengers’ Guildford Play scheme. I started at Challengers in 2020, aged 17 as a playworker at Guildford, and have been here ever since.
Q: What inspired you to take on the London Marathon?
Ben: I’ve always considered myself fairly active and sporty – though I’ve never been particularly good at any of the sports I’ve tried! I wanted to set myself a huge target, and a marathon has always been on my bucket list. I never expected to be running the London Marathon for Challengers, but once I got the opportunity, I knew I couldn’t back out. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Q: Have you ever done a marathon before, or is this your first?
Ben: Not at all! I had barely run a 5K before signing up. As soon as I found out I was doing it, I started training, and I can’t wait to see what it feels like to cross that finish line, especially at such a prestigious event.
Q: How has your training been going? Any highs or lows?
Ben: A big high has been avoiding injury (hopefully I haven’t jinxed it by saying that!). I’ve had my fair share of aches, pains, and runner’s knee, but overall, I’ve trained consistently and found it really rewarding. The hardest part? Motivation! Waking up early to run on a day when I already have so much going on is a huge mental battle. The exhaustion is real!
Q: What does a typical training week look like for you?
Ben: I run four days a week – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday – with Friday being my longest run. I also do light aerobic training on other days. It gets tricky during half-terms and holidays when I’m running the play scheme, so I’ve learned that if I don’t run early in the morning, it won’t happen!
“I’m grateful to be part of this team, and if running a marathon helps raise vital funds, I’m all in!”
Q: Have you had to overcome any challenges during training?
Ben: Oh yes! The biggest one has to be getting completely lost in Newcastle during a visit to a friend. I left my phone at his flat and went for a quick 5K. It got dark, and I took a wrong turn… two hours later, I had accidentally run 26–27km across most of Newcastle! My friend was terrified, thinking I’d been kidnapped. I got back exhausted but relieved -and unintentionally completed my longest run at that point!
Q: What are you most looking forward to about race day?
Ben: I have no idea what to expect, having never done anything like this before! But I’m really excited to see my family and friends cheering me on. The atmosphere and the crowd support will be unforgettable.
Q: Do you have any goals for the marathon – whether time-based or personal?
Ben: When I got my place, I set myself the ambitious goal of finishing in under four hours. I keep saying it as a form of manifestation – maybe if I say it enough, it’ll happen! But honestly, no matter the time, it’s going to be an amazing day for a great cause.
Q: What will be going through your mind when you cross that finish line?
Ben: Probably pure relief! I expect a big emotional reaction – whether that’s tears, exhaustion, or swearing to never set foot in London again, we’ll find out on the day!
Q: Why is running for Challengers so important to you?
Ben: I’ve worked across multiple Challengers schemes and have seen firsthand how much the young people and their families value our sessions. Whether it’s inclusive play, first-time trips, or respite for parents, the impact of Challengers is immeasurable. I’m grateful to be part of this team, and if running a marathon helps raise vital funds, I’m all in!
Q: How can people support you and the charity?
Ben: You can come and cheer me on April 27th, and if you’d like to donate, my JustGiving page is here. You can also support Challengers by taking part in fundraising events, donating, or maybe even running a marathon yourself next year!
Q: What impact will the funds you raise have?
Ben: The money raised will help Challengers continue providing vital play opportunities for disabled young people across the Southeast. Every donation helps fund activities, trips, and inclusive play sessions that make a real difference.
And, just for fun…
Q: What’s your go-to running music?
Ben: I’m obsessed with music and love discovering new tracks. Some of my favourite albums to run to include Imaginal Disk by Magdalena Bay, Blue Weekend by Wolf Alice, Being Funny In A Foreign Language by The 1975, and IGOR by Tyler, the Creator.
Q: Do you have a favourite post-run treat?
Ben: I struggle to eat straight after a run, but anyone who knows me knows my ultimate weakness is bourbon biscuits. A big bowl of pasta with cheese sauce also hits the spot!
Cheer Ben On!
We are so proud of Ben for taking on this huge challenge, and we’ll be cheering him every step of the way. If you’d like to support him and Challengers, consider donating, sharing his journey, or even joining a future fundraising event. Good luck, Ben – we’ll see you at the finish line!
📢 Donate here: JustGiving – Ben Watters
📍 London Marathon: April 27th, 2024