Two lucky Ealing Eagles members have won club ballot places in the 2012 Virgin London Marathon, courtesy of England Athletics.

The names of Simon Stannard and Sandra Courtney were drawn out of a dish-shaped hat at the club Christmas party last Saturday.

The surprised pair had also just been voted joint club personality of the year.

Most Ealing Eagles know Simon and Sandra but here they let us in on their early training plans, previous marathon experience and that all important question of whether to give up alcohol (aka the St Santry pledge) in the months leading up to the race.

Simon Stannard

In his own words: "My very first reaction to winning the club place was embarrassment, as Sandra and I had just been very kindly voted for an award. After that though, I was absolutely over the moon.

I know and realise how hard it is to get a non-charity London Marathon place and it’s great to be running in my home city and representing Ealing Eagles.

I have done one marathon before – Edinburgh 2011. In hindsight I probably over trained for it as I picked up a foot injury three weeks before the event, which stopped me running until the day itself.

 The run went well for the first 19-20 miles and I was averaging an 8 min 20 sec mile. But injury caught up with me and the wheels fell off after 20 miles. I think I ended up running the last six miles at over 10 min mile pace. 

For London, injury is a massive concern. I have just come back from two months off with shin splints and I am stressed about it re-occurring (first reserve keep training!)

I also have a place in the Paris Marathon which falls on the weekend before. After much deliberation I have decided it would be unwise to go ahead with that one.

I feel I would be doing the Ealing Eagles a disservice by running Paris the week before and not putting 100% effort in London. Also the fear of injury has instilled some common sense into me.

There is a 12 week training plan in this month’s Runner’s World which I will be trying to adhere from the second week of January.  I would love to get a time between 3.30 and 3.40.


The St Santry no alcohol pledge was a bit too hardcore for me. Although I will be teetotal for one month before the race and no bloody Jager bombs between January and April! 


It is an absolute privilege to be representing the Eagle Eagles and I know what a great responsibility it is. I know that most Eagles would have given up a lot to get a ballot place.

I promise that me and the running wife (Sandra) will be giving it our maximum effort to do the club proud.  What can the club do to help? Well turn out in their numbers on the day to cheer us on of course!”

Sandra Courtney

In her own words: “I was shocked to get the club place but delighted and it’s even better that Simon got the other place as he’s now my 'trophy husband'. 

The London marathon this year was the most amazing experience, I really enjoyed it. I took the advice of people who told me to take it all in and not focus on time for my first one.

I ran the whole thing with no walks apart from a 30 second pit stop with my wingman brother at 18 miles to replenish fuels.

My knee popped at mile three but I carried on and suffered after. Physio went on for months afterwards trying to fix me but I still think it was worth every bit of pain!



I am most looking forward to running up the Embankment again through the cheering crowds, I’d never had a feeling like it before. 

My whole family was there at different points and I managed to see them all and cried when I saw my sister with my wee niece and nephew who had come all the way from Devon to watch me.

It gives me goosebumps and brings a tear to my eye just thinking about it again.

As for injury concerns, the knee still isn't right from last time but when did that ever stop me?

I'm going for a time of 4:30 – I’m really not sure it's in me but I’m hoping the group training will help. 



I plan to be semi teetotal and will be jumping on and off the wagon from 1 January. I have three big things to celebrate from January to April so I’m giving myself three days when drinking is allowed. 

That’s not to say I won't be attending any other socials, I don't want to miss anything.

Having a club place is just too amazing! I feel like my luck will run out one of these days as it's all too good to be true.

I'm going to take this and literally run with it and give 100% dedication to try and make the Eagles proud. I need to buy a couple of new club shirts now in preparation to promote the Eagles while I train and one with my name on for the event. 

The club can help by just being there. I was solitary in my training last time as I just got on and got it done but hoping some speed work and pacers might help get my to my 4:30.”

Simon and Sandra will be blogging about their progress in the months leading up to the big day in April, watch the Ealing Eagles website for updates.