Rachel To The Finish Line

Not many people can say they've run 26.2 miles. But last weekend, on the 6th of April, one of our own, Rachel Benson, crossed the finish line of the Brighton Marathon in 5 hours and 55 minutes. Sore legs, sunburn, and all, in support of WorkAid.

We caught up with Rachel the day after, and she told me, "I can't quite believe I did it. It was so hard, and I'm definitely feeling rather sore and waddling today!"

Before taking up a secondment with the Department of Work and Pensions earlier this year, Rachel managed the WorkAid team. So, she's witnessed first-hand the impact employment can have on the lives of people in our community with learning disabilities and autism.

"WorkAid has had so many challenges over recent years," she said. "The service has seen so many cuts and reductions, and the team work so hard with the little resources they have. It was time for me to give back."

Her marathon day started strong, with the first 10 miles feeling steady and manageable. But as the hills rolled in and the sun blazed down, things got tough. "By mile 18, I was losing stamina, and the heat was really taking its toll. I pushed on, supported by an amazing friend, until we hit mile 20 where the real mental challenge kicked in. At the final 400 metres, I dug deep for a sprint finish. It was the most amazing feeling as I crossed that finish line to the music and the crowd cheering!"

But race day didn't come about without any hurdles along the way. Training with two young children while working full-time meant early morning runs before the sun was even up. "It takes a heap of willpower," she said. "Training for a marathon is a full-time job in itself."

Rachel has been a runner for a number of years, having completed a couple of half marathons and plenty of 10ks. But after having her second child, running took a back seat. Over the past year, she’d worked hard to build herself back up, starting with 5km runs and gradually increasing the distance all the way to marathon-ready. 

One of her favourite moments was staring down at the turquoise sea as runners made their way to the marina. And, of course, the moment she spotted her family at the finish line. "Keep going, keep going, keep going! Oh, look, my family! Keeep goooooiiinnngggg!"

When I asked what WorkAid and the Trust meant to her personally, Rachel didn't hesitate. "They have a special place in my heart. The people we support have shaped and defined my life, and my understanding of society has been challenged by working for them. I want the best for our clients and to see them thrive. I won't stop doing what I can to make a difference."

So far, Rachel has raised £360, but she hopes to reach £1,000 to help keep vital partnerships alive so the people we support have the right support to succeed in work.

Are you thinking about fundraising for the Trust yourself? Rachel says, "Do it!! It doesn't have to be running a marathon. Choose something that challenges you and gives you life, too. It's so worth it."

You can support Rachel's incredible efforts by donating here: ​https://www.aldingbournetrust.org/store/p272/Rachels-Mega-Marathon-Madness.html

Written by Lizzie Senn. ​For any media inquiries, please get in touch with [email protected]