Meet Ellie from 23 Mile Running Club

The amazing 23 Mile Running Club are once again competing in the London Marathon on Sunday 26 April to raise money for The Lord Mayor's Appeal.

Aiming to raise over £7,000 to help The Appeal in its aim to unlock potential in 15,000 Londoners, the 23-strong team of City employees, residents, families and friends are fast approaching the starting line. 

Before the big day, we spoke to Ellie Gouch who captains one of the 23 Mile Running Club's challenge teams this year and is running her first ever London Marathon.  

 

I joined the club in June 2025. I’d been running on and off for a few years, but I’d signed up for a half marathon and thought the club might help motivate me with training. It absolutely did… and then some!

 

The weekly run clubs helped me to get those weekday evening runs in, especially over winter. I love that there’s often a different mix of people each week and that new people are always joining, but what never changes is the welcoming, chatty and inclusive culture.

 

I’ve also really enjoyed making use of the Parliament Hill Athletics Track, which is up the road from me and something I only realised we had free access to after joining the club. And of course, getting a marathon place through the club has been an incredible gift that I’m so grateful for.

 

 

I might not be the best person to ask, as my knee is quite angry with me at the moment - so I’ve probably overtrained a bit! But for motivation, I’d recommend giving yourself a mix of reliable routes you know well and can run in the dark, cold and rain without thinking too much, alongside some new and exciting ones that help you explore.

 

I often get public transport out to somewhere like the end of a tube line and then run home. Some of my favourite routes are the Wandle Trail, the Lee River Navigation, Dollis Valley Greenwalk, the Silk Stream, the Thames Path and Regent’s Canal. 

 

 

Everyone at the run club is so lovely and welcoming, and it represents everything great about the City. People from across the City Corporation come together, rain or shine, to run a few miles and have a good time.

 

Every club run lifts my spirits, and I’ve received useful advice on everything from work and running to wedding planning (which is just a few days after the marathon - eek!). It’s a heart-warming and rewarding network to be part of, and I’m very grateful to have joined.