Queen Mary Students' Union Marathon runner interview!
Every year Queen Mary Students Union’ are given a runner spot in the London Marathon as we provide essential volunteers at baggage claim and mile 19 for event. This year Crespina Houkayem is the QMSU runner. She will be running the marathon to fundraise for the British Heart foundation!
We wanted to spotlight Crespina and her training for the London marathon and spoke to her about her motivations and journey!
How are you feeling and how is the training going?
My training is going pretty well; I’ve never run more than a half marathon before so I’m quite nervous but also really excited! The marathon itself is 70% mental and 30% physical, so it’s about practice and getting into the right mindset. It’s been really busy balancing university work, training and life but it has been very rewarding. I’ve been running with HOKA run club and connecting with the run club community through TikTok. Everyone has been very welcoming, and I’ve received lots of advice from people who have run marathons before which has been very motivating!
To follow Crespina’s running journey on TikTok click HERE!
What are your Motivations for running the marathon?
I have always enjoyed running and I used to be a long-distance track and field runner. But my main motivation is the opportunity to raise money for charity by partaking in such an amazing event! Running this marathon is my way of honouring the people I’ve lost, supporting the people still fighting, and turning everything, I’ve been through into something meaningful. British heart foundation does such amazing work and they help so many people that I would love to raise and money awareness for their cause!
It is truly a privilege to run such a huge and once in a lifetime race, it is very emotional! The supporters, some of which will be made up of our QM volunteers are a huge boost for morale and make the atmosphere. My family are also coming over from Jordan to watch me run and raise money for a cause so close to our hearts!
Please join us in supporting Crespina in her training and fundraising! If you want to donate to her fundraiser for the British Heart Foundation. Click HERE!