Marathon Hacks Hub

20+ Marathons Run, 500+ Runners Coached over the past 5 years

"Over the last 2 years, and 3 marathon training blocks back to back, I’ve improved my understanding around all aspects of running. I’ve improved my ability to run efficiently & effectively, my running confidence, I’ve become a consistent runner and made good running friends along the way!

In the last 12 months I have improved my marathon time by 20 minutes. Crossing the finish-line at Manchester Marathon with happy tears in my eyes is unforgettable feeling.

I believe that anything is possible if you put the hard work in. It's not about being the best, it's about being better than yesterday."

Kat, Manchester, Brighton and London Marathon runner

"Until I got my place to run London Marathon, I had never run. All my friends thought it was hilarious when I entered the ballot, as I was renowned for bunking off PE at school … and didn’t even own any trainers! So the prospect of training for a marathon was, quite frankly, terrifying.

Everything about the programme was geared towards giving me the confidence that I COULD do this momentous thing … Run A Marathon!

Over the past few years, I have gone from a reluctant C25K-er to a marathon runner!

Running London Marathon was absolutely beyond my wildest dreams! I completed it in just over 6 hours. I was super-happy with my time, and more importantly, felt really strong at the finish. Powering past a whole load of people on Embankment felt EPIC!

Now I’ve run London I want to keep running to keep me fit and mobile as I power through middle age."

Jane, London Marathon runner

“Before I joined Marathon Club Hub I just went out and ran. I thought if I completed all the running in a plan, not bothering with rest, I could get round any race I was training for. But even with all that running I always struggled to get round a race, so I wasn’t sure I’d be able to complete a marathon!

I loved the knowledge which Helen shares with us in Marathon Club Hub, she’s ran so many marathons and made first-timers mistakes herself so lets us know how to train better.

The biggest thing I’ve learned is that running is only part of training. Including conditioning, stretching, foam rolling, yoga, improving my diet and understanding the different runs have transformed my running. I now know the importance of all the elements of a training program to be able to achieve my goals.

I can run furtherer than ever before and completed my first marathon without thinking “why am I doing this?” and even enjoying it!”

Fiona, London Marathon Runner

"I’m a volunteer at a branch of Samaritans and for our branches 50th year of being open I set myself the challenge to run the LEJOG challenge (Lands End to John O Groats) in under 50 weeks and also run London Marathon.

When I started the LEJOG challenge my strategy was just to run same pace but for longer and longer, but once I decided run the marathon, I knew I needed to get more serious about my running as I knew just running at the same pace was just not going to get me trained well for the race.

What I love about Marathon Club hub is the very practical advice given by Helen, she’s ‘been there, done that’ so is able to share her experience and gives answers to the burning questions I have in a really easy to digest way.

I loved how the training was all well planned, and we focused on the right topic at the right time in a very logical order. Advice, guidance and support was always there, as was Helen’s enthusiasm, energy and clear commitment to get us all across that line smiling!

Completing the marathon, in 4:44, was such a special achievement. I never thought it would be possible but I stuck to the plan, listened to my body through the training. I wanted to finish the marathon strong and with a smile, and I certainly feel I achieved that!"

Simon, London Marathon runner

“Before joining Marathon Club Hub I had no idea what I was doing. I could barely run, and tried to forget that I’d got a ballot place to run London Marathon.

Due to previous injuries I knew I wasn’t going to be able to run the full marathon. There was no judgement about my plans to Jeff (walk/run) the marathon in Marathon Club Hub, and seeing that walk/running was encouraged in training really helped me!

Whilst I was training to run my marathon, I achieved PBs for 10k and half marathon. Even running those distances is a huge success for me, as a year ago I’d have laughed if you told me to run 5k! And my biggest success has been running London Marathon in under 6 hours!

Running the marathon has given me the confidence to believe in myself, that I really can do anything I put my mind to, as I now have the tools I need to train stronger and long term I’d love to complete the big 6!”

Laura Beth, London Marathon runner

“Before I joined Marathon Club Hub, I’d been running for about 8 years, but knew I wasn’t doing the right types of running to improve or to run distances beyond 13 miles. I was just plodding around running the same pace run after run.

I needed some expert input to make changes, improve my running and get me to marathon distance.

Since joining Marathon Club Hub my running has improved. I can run faster and for longer. I also understand the different types of training run and why they are so important, so I hope to continue improving with time.

My greatest achievement has been running London Marathon. I’ve also nailed a 10k PB showing me that my overall fitness has improved significantly over the course of the plan.”

Claire, London Marathon runner

“When I first got accepted in the ballot to run London Marathon, my first thoughts were “Why did I enter?” and “How am I ever going to run a marathon!”.

When I joined Marathon Club Hub, I had no idea how to train to run a marathon. But once I got started and learned how to train properly, I fell in love with it. My running has completely changed. I can’t wait to get out running and while I’m running it just seems effortless.

Through training I broke my 5K and half marathon PB’s, and smashed London running it in 3.33 and didn’t hit the ‘famous wall’! I truly believe that was down to Helen’s coaching.

If you are thinking of joining Marathon Club Hub don’t hesitate. Jump in and enjoy every single run!”

Liam, London Marathon runne

“I’m Debi and live near Canberra, Australia. I’m just an average recreational runner, with running a marathon on my bucket-list.

Turning 50 I felt I had passed my running peak. I felt fit enough, but didn’t think my legs could manage running a marathon as I was always really tired and sore after a race. I’d read a bit about nutrition and marathon plans, but had no idea what everything meant or how to put it into practice. I knew if I were to run a marathon strong, I needed help.

Joining Marathon Club Hub was a game changer.

First, Helen explained every aspect of the training plan, so that I knew what all the different types of runs on the plans actually meant and what conditioning I needed to do. It made all the difference when I knew WHY I needed to train a certain way.

Through the coaching workshops (which I joined even though I was on the other side of the world!), and the learning modules I learnt the essential aspects of marathon, without any confusing information that I didn’t need.

Any questions I had were answered as if I had an in-person coach with me every day, and knowing all my training and prep was mapped out for me made marathon training simple.

Constant accountability from Helen and other runners in the Club Hub community was what I needed to keep me going,

Since I joined Marathon Club Hub I’ve run my first marathon (10 minutes faster than the goal I’d only ever dreamed was achievable!) and I’ve continued to smash parkrun PBs throughout.

I can now run long distances without the burden on my legs that had previously limited my goals. My diet, something I’ve struggled with all my life, is finally at a place where I effortlessly eat healthy, balanced meals every day that support my running and my active job as a gardener. All this has made me so much more confident in life!

I REALLY love running again and have signed up to run my second marathon, where I’ll try to improve on my time.

Training this way I’ve realised that getting older doesn’t mean you have to give up on your dreams and that you can be fitter than your younger self!”

Debbie, Sydney Marathon runner

“Before I joined Marathon Club Hub I lacked knowledge, structure and confidence in myself. I had run 2 marathons before and followed a generic marathon plan, which didn’t work as I struggled running both of them and felt I had ‘failed’. My running confidence was in tatters 😢.

Joining Marathon Club Hub was an absolute game changer, it exceeded my expectations and more!

The coaching in Marathon Club Hub gave me the vital knowledge I needed around training and running a marathon, everything from how to run the training runs right, diet and nutrition, strength building to fuelling on long runs and on race-day. The expert advice and the support from Helen and the other members of the Club is second to none. Just knowing that you Helen have my back, and want me to succeed as much as I do is incredible! I’m now a Marathon Club Hub member for life!

My first significant success when I joined was running a 10k in 54.34, a NEW PB! And my hugely amazing success was running Manchester Marathon, not just finishing without hitting the wall (a massive for me, as I’d always crashed in marathons before) but I smashed it in 4.38 and I enjoyed the entire experience!

I now have structure, confidence and knowledge on what I need to do and why. Instead of just running, I know how to fuel myself, how to recover, and most importantly I know how to train the right way to get results!

Thank you Helen, I could waffle on for hours about how amazing you are, Marathon Club Hub and what you have done for me! I finished Manchester Marathon elated, proud and so excited for the future! I cannot thank you enough, and as I’ve said you are so stuck with me in club Hub now !!!!! X"

Kelly, Manchester, Amsterdam & London Marathon runner

“I started running during lockdown and at that time I really couldn’t run more than a few paces. I ran on my own on the narrow country roads in the Hampshire hills. After completing C25K, progressing to 10K and then half marathon, making it up as I went along. I joined a large online coaching group, but it was very expensive and impersonal, focused on faster runners. I felt like the odd one out.

Joining Marathon Club Hub changed everything. I felt this was a group of runners like me and Helen’s approach was so personal, enthusiastic and friendly. I could ask questions without feeling embarrassed. I learned about different types of training and how to work on speed or other types of fitness. I knew nothing about fuelling, but Helen explained its importance. Since I joined, I have much more confidence and I realise that my body is strong and that I can do this!

I have learned such a lot from Helen’s weekly coaching calls and emails: especially how to plan your training, how to taper, understanding nutrition at different stages, what to pack (!) and best of all what to expect on the day itself. For me, one important aspect of her coaching was learning tactics (like the alphabet game) and fuelling for long runs, up to 18 and 19 miles without stress, so I felt confident for the marathon. And I did it!

Without Marathon Club Hub, I would probably now be giving up running, but instead I am planning to keep going, to find some 10k or half marathon races for this spring and summer. Maybe I’ll even run another marathon!

I also feel that by successfully completing my first marathon I have proved something to myself and the world, and that feels pretty special.”

Clare, London Marathon runner