I had the pleasure of catching up with Bede's alumna Phoebe Watson, who recently completed an astonishing feat: five marathons in five days! Phoebe, alongside her incredible team, undertook this monumental challenge, pushing the boundaries of physical and mental endurance, all while raising vital funds for two truly inspiring charities. Her candid insights into the rigorous training, the unexpected hurdles, and the unwavering mental fortitude required for such an undertaking offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of extreme endurance running.

Training & Preparation:

Describe your training regimen leading up to this incredible challenge. How did you specifically prepare your body for running five marathons in five days? 

As I am not the most natural of runners, I didn’t think I could ever fully prepare or be ready for a multiple marathon challenge! My training consisted of regular long runs around London and the South Downs and also using Florence marathon as a prep run. Preparing the body was tough but in the end it was more mentally challenging than physical 

What was the biggest unexpected challenge you faced during your training, and how did you overcome it? 

Tearing my calf muscle was by far my biggest challenge – thank goodness for my physio and for my peloton to keep me going when I couldn’t run! 

The Challenge Itself (5 Marathons in 5 Days):

Take us through a typical day during your five-day marathon challenge. What did your mornings, runs, and evenings look like?

Just our luck, the week we chose to run happened to be when the UK experienced a heatwave! Due to the heat we had to start each marathon at circa 6 am which meant waking up at 5, force feeding ourselves with fuel in the form of overnight oats and getting ready for the run. Whilst running, our incredible families went to pit stops every 10k or so to be on hand to give us more fuel and top up our waters. As soon as we finished the 26.2 miles we would hop in a car and make our ways to the next city. The marathon order was: Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester, Oxford and then finally London. 

Which day presented the biggest physical hurdle, and what did that feel like?

Day 2 in Newcastle reached 26 degrees; this was incredibly difficult and actually very dangerous - heat stroke was looming so we did anything we could to cool down our body temperatures. In Newcastle you don’t typically think of trying to find shade but we had to edit our route to try to be closer to trees. 

What strategies did you use for recovery each day to ensure you were ready for the next marathon? (e.g., stretching, massage, sleep, specific foods).

We heavily relied on electrolytes to replenish our salts and ate lots of savoury food to avoid acid reflux when running. The best recovery was sleep but because of body aches and adrenaline, I was lucky to get 4 hours a night. 

Were there any moments during the five days where you doubted you could continue? What pulled you through?

Luckily running as a team of three meant we kept one another going; we endured the pain by enjoying the beautiful routes and having great company. I never had any doubts despite the challenge being utterly bonkers! 

Mental Health & Resilience:

This challenge is as much mental as it is physical. How did you prepare your mind for such an intense endurance event?

Honestly I don’t think I comprehended quite how crazy the challenge was which helped. I haven’t worked out if we were tenacious or just stubborn; we all had a goal and we had to get it done. 

How did you maintain a positive mindset throughout the five days, especially when faced with pain or adverse conditions?

We are naturally a very happy trio - plus people are so lovely and inquisitive, passers by scanned our QR codes, asked our stories and donated. We saw donations rising and we were running for something much bigger than ourselves. How can you not keep positive with that daily encouragement and support?! 

What did you learn about your own mental strength and resilience through this experience?

I learned that anyone can do anything if you want it enough and put your mind to it; our bodies are amazing.

How do you think this challenge will impact your approach to future challenges or difficult situations in life?

It served as a reminder that people are inherently kind. 

Charity & Motivation:

Tell us about the charity you are raising money for. What is its mission, and why is it a cause close to your heart?

Raising for two sensational charities: My Dad’s a bit of a hero, although he would be the last to admit it!  He's dedicated his life to medicine, saving countless lives as a Urological surgeon. To add to his accomplishments, he helped launch a Sussex based charity called Medi Tech Trust [MTT].  It is dedicated to donating equipment and supplies to medical institutions; arranging training courses for surgeons in low resource countries; and advancing health care education in the community. Medical equipment and surgical consumables worth many millions have already been donated to hospitals in the UK and overseas. In 2022 my dad, a fit and healthy man started noticing spasms in his arms, slight muscle twitches and extreme weight loss. After some nagging, he saw the doctors and received the shockingly devastating news that he had Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Although he can’t operate anymore and despite the diagnosis, he still travels overseas to share his urological knowledge. As a result, we raised money for both incredible causes. 

How much have you raised so far, and what are your fundraising goals?

(At the time of the article 27/5/25) £12,969 so far!! Our goal is £13,100 which equates to £10 a mile 

Did thinking about the charity and the people you're helping provide extra motivation during tough moments?

100% it kept us going! 

What message would you give to others who are considering undertaking a similar fundraising challenge?

Do It! If there’s a cause close to your heart, support that charity and share your story! There is no better feeling than completing a huge challenge 

Reflections & Future:

What was the most memorable moment from your five-day marathon adventure?

Although the finishing was pure elation, the small moments of quiet when the three of us were together meant the entire world. 

What did you discover about yourself through completing this extraordinary challenge?

I am tenacious, I can do it and I am loved. The support of my friends, family and strangers were more than I could have ever imagined.

What advice would you give to someone contemplating a multi-day running event?

Bring more trainers than you need and buy all the blister plasters on the shelves. Pick beautiful routes and enjoy it, it’s over before you know it.

Now that you've accomplished this, what's next on your horizon, both personally and in terms of challenges?

Hanging up the trainers for now, focusing on my work as a Company Secretarial and Governance Recruitment Manager and then who knows what’s around the corner. The beachy head marathon looks tempting, or something further afield 

Phoebe’s incredible achievement serves as a powerful testament to the human spirit's capacity for resilience, determination, and profound kindness. Her journey, fuelled by a deeply personal connection to the charities – Medi Tech Trust and the Motor Neurone Disease Association highlights the extraordinary impact that passion and purpose can have. As Phoebe takes a well-deserved break from her running shoes, her story will undoubtedly inspire many to embrace their own challenges, whether they involve hitting the pavement or simply stepping outside their comfort zones. We eagerly await news of her next adventure, knowing that whatever it may be, it will be met with the same unwavering spirit that carried her through five marathons in five days.