Emma: 12 Marathons in 12 Months
Moray Road Runner member, Emma Vaccaro, took part in the 2022’s Dramathon for us and enjoyed the experience so much that she decided she wanted to do 12 marathons in 12 months and, so far, she’s taken part in the Virtual London Marathon, the Edinburgh Marathon and Speyside Way 50k as well as her first overseas marathon in Verona, Italy.
Emma has been completely self-supported throughout her challenge, meaning every pound she raises comes directly to Outfit Moray, so please follow and share her challenge via her Facebook page Emma’s 12 Marathons in 12 Months Challenge and sponsor her through her GoFundMe page to help her reach her £1,000 target.
Emma’s been incredible; pushing herself out of her comfort zone and challenging her own self belief; something we aim to do with all the young people we work with, and is an absolute inspiration to us all and, what’s more impressive, is that she only started running about 3 years ago!
Her final two races are:
21 Apr: The Moray Marathon (26.2 miles)
11 May: Moray Coastal 50 miles
Emma’s Marathon Thoughts:
Verona Marathon
Verona Marathon completed. The atmosphere today was epic, everyone was very friendly and my Italian speaking skills need upgrading. Today I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and ran a marathon abroad.I didn’t get many photos, but there will be lots of official photos, I danced my way through the finish line feeling amazing as this is my second marathon in a week.
Marathon distance and ultra distance completed.
Yesterday was tough , I started off well but after a running through a lot of water, my feet were absolutely wrecked with blisters, and was starting to bleed. I tried to keep running but my feet were too sore.
I got to checkpoint three, by this time my feet were super sore. and knew I wasn’t going to make the last 5k before the cutoff.
I completed 28 miles which is 45k out of the 50k race.
I didn’t finish but the race directors and Marshalls were amazing, I still got my goody bag and was I told I have still technically finished and stil completed a marathon/ultra and to be proud .
I’m gutted I never made the finish line but proud I’ve ticked off another marathon on my challenge .
Now to rest and recover ready for Verona Marathon on Sunday 19th November.
Baxter’s Loch Ness Marathon completed. Marathon number 6 in the bag which means I am officially half way through my challenge.Next marathon 21st October which is the Dramathon.
Marathon 5 of 12 completed. Self supported virtual marathon. Chuffed that I finished the full 26 miles even after my watch dying at the 17 mile point. This morning i ran round elgin, to lossie and back then continued onto lhanbryde, kept going passing threaplands and finished in Fochabers, where crystal met me.
Very proud of myself as I finished in about five and a half hours which is a good time for me. Didn’t give up even when it started chucking it down. Next marathon is Baxter’s Lochness Marathon on 1st October.
Huntly room to roam half marathon 2023 complete.Very hot weather yesterday as it was about 23 degrees.Was lovely to meet some of the Outfit Moray team yesterday as they were first aiders at the event, so was nice to have some added extra support on the route and the finish line.Yesterday is one of many days which shows what amazing work outfit moray do in and around moray and this is why I chose to take part in such a big challenge and help fundraise at the same time.
That’s marathon number 4 in the bag. This was my most challenging race to date as there were a lot of steep hills and you had to run up and down Ben Aigen as part of the course. It was very hot as it was about 20 degrees yesterday, I got lost a few times and ended up going the scenic way to the finish so added on an extra 5k but overall it was an amazing experience and glad I didn’t give up even when I was lost. I am so proud of what I achieved yesterday. My 2nd Ultra Marathon.Scenery was just amazing and everyone was so friendly and I made a few new friends yesterday. I said when I finished I wouldn’t do it again but anyone that knows me will probably see me at the start line again next year.A big thank you to Steve Munro Fitness for helping me with Nutrition and training to get me ready for the race.A big thank you to Skedaddle North for their hospitality the night before with the lovely food and drinks, Helping keep me calm and for all the race support yesterday.A big thank you to Karen, Tracey and Crystal for the race support and encouragement especially towards the end.
London Virtual Marathon:
Massive thank you to everyone today for your amazing support and well wishes. I was super relieved to hear the app say 26.2 and hear the cheering as it’s been raining on and off all day.
I have very sore feet and legs but super chuffed I finished. Time was slower today but I have 11 more marathons to work on to help improve that.
Proud to have been out and talking to people today while running along about Outfit Moray and why I was helping fundraise for such a worthwhile organisation. 1 marathon down 11 more to go.
Well today didn’t go as planned I was halfway round lap 1 and a cyclist knocked me flying as he wasn’t looking where he was going.Got checked by the medics and it was agreed that I could keep going as long as i felt able.Managed 3 laps before the pain got the better of me and managed to finish a half marathon distance instead of the full marathon distanceI am gutted I didn’t complete the marathon today as feel I have let myself and everyone down.A big thank you to the medics and the race director who was super helpful and was lovelyMy ribs are super sore and my body is aching but I’m glad I’m in one piece.Going to make sure I get another marathon booked to make up for todays one.
| Marathon | Date | Time Completed |
|---|---|---|
| London Virtual Marathon | 23 Apr | 7 hrs 8 mins (approx) |
| Edinburgh Marathon | 28 May | 6hrs 14 mins |
| Sunset Running Festival | 24 Jun | dnf as Emma was injured by a cyclist (but she did a local run to make sure she covered her miles) |
| Speyside Way 50km | 19 Aug | 9 hrs 38 mins |
| Huntly Room to Run (half) | 2 Sep | |
| Virtual Marathon | 16 Sep | |
| Loch Ness Marathon | 1 Oct | 6 hrs 27 mins |
| Dramathon (cancelled) | Emma did a virtual marathon to make up for Dramathon being cancelled, plus another virtual marathon on 31st December. | |
| Dava Way 50km | 11 Nov | |
| Verona Marathon | 19 Nov | |
| Moray Marathon | 21 Apr | |
| Moray Coastal 50 | 11 May |