I am a runner – Alex

What does running mean to you:

It’s a safe space for me to unpack my thoughts, get out there, have some time to myself and think about how I’m feeling, rather than thinking about everything else that is going on in the world.

Favourite place to run: 

Probably central London – just for the architecture, different kinds of runners you see around. You can run over the river. 

Your best running memory: 

London Marathon, my first marathon distance. I’d only ever run a half before. I had trained as much as I wanted to.But I did it last year I did it in sub 4 like I wanted to. It was such a great atmosphere, where crowds were back. This is something that will stay with me. I run for charity in memory of my mum, so that final straight was very emotional, shall we say.

Why does running matter?

It’s just a good way of keeping fit – for your physical and your mental health. I’ve always done a lot of walking, but running has unlocked something new for me, in the sense that I feel like I’m more with my thoughts when I’m running rather than walking.

Running plans for the future:

Just keep running.