Volunteering, world records, and a welcoming club spirit

For more than three decades, Reading Roadrunners have proudly supported the London Marathon by providing volunteers to help keep runners safe and the event running smoothly. It has become a tradition that brings our club together, with many members returning year after year to marshal and cheer on their fellow runners.

This year’s marathon was truly one for the history books. Organised by Carl Woffington, we had around 60 club volunteers stationed at two iconic points: Rotherhithe (Mile 11) and Tower Bridge (Mile 23). Alongside them were about 20 Roadrunners taking on the marathon themselves, sporting the club’s green and blue colours.

But 2026 was not just another year—it was a day packed with extraordinary achievements. Our marshals had front-row seats to two world records. First, Sabastian Sawe stunned the running world by completing the marathon in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 37 seconds, becoming the first person ever to run a marathon in under two hours under official race conditions. As one marshal remarked, “When people talk about the first sub-2-hour marathon, I will be able to say, ‘I was there.’” The excitement did not end there; Tigst Assefa set a new women’s only marathon record, finishing in 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 12 seconds—a feat that inspired everyone watching. Carl summed it up perfectly: “Being part of a day when history is made, it’s something you never forget.”

After the marathon, the ballot for next year’s race closed with a staggering 1.3 million applicants vying for 60,000 spots—a record-breaking response. Our club usually receives two extra places each year, and we run a club ballot giving our marshals another shot if they were not successful in the main draw. It is a great way to reward those who give up their time to volunteer.

Many of our members are enthusiastic marathon runners, and joining Reading Roadrunners is a brilliant way to prepare for your first marathon or smash your personal best. Whether you are keen to volunteer or take on the 26.2 miles, you will find encouragement, camaraderie, and plenty of support. Why not come along and see what makes our club so special?

It’s not every day you accidentally qualify to represent your country… but then again, not everyone is Caroline Monaghan.

Known across Europe’s marathon circuits (and pub gardens) for clocking up finish lines like most of us clock up excuses, Caroline and her equally marathon-mad husband Paul (both proud members of the 100 Marathon Club) were recently spotted not running 26.2 miles. Yes, you read that right.

A couple of weeks ago, while enjoying a weekend in the picturesque town of Bideford, the duo decided to “just do a little 10K” — as you do on a casual getaway. Caroline, being the organised and quietly ambitious runner she is, figured she’d register the race with the England Masters Programme. You know, just in case.

Well, turns out it wasn’t just a jog by the sea. Caroline only went and finished 2nd lady in the V45 category… out of over a thousand runners! Then she went off to enjoy the rest of her Devon weekend with Paul, Pete, and Giggsy — probably with some well-earned chips and maybe even a cider.

That was that. Or so she thought.

A week later, an email landed in her inbox with the words:

“Huge congratulations on qualifying to represent your country as a master’s athlete…”

Cue shocked silence, confused frown, brief suspicion of fraud, and then sudden realisation:
“I was gobsmacked,” Caroline said. “At first I thought it was a hoax… then I remembered I actually did apply.”

And just like that — Caroline Monaghan is officially an England athlete!

She adds, “I told Paul immediately, and he was over the moon. Looks like I need to put the marathons on pause and start getting serious about 10Ks. My new training regime has (accidentally) paid off!”

Congratulations Caroline

Go smash it in the England vest!