Fed rep ‘gives back’ by supporting marathon runners

24 April 2024

Having completed the London Marathon three times, Hertfordshire Police Federation equality lead Terasa Holden understands the dark places people go to running the 26-mile course.

Which is why she wanted to give back and volunteered to support those taking part this year.

Terasa was a marshal at around the 18-mile point in Canary Wharf.

She said: “Because I’ve been there, I understand that people go to some dark places, especially at 18 miles.

“It’s one of the worst places to be because you’ve got 18 miles in your legs but know you’ve still got eight miles to go – it’s a difficult place.

“A lot of people are wanting to give up then.

“So, I ran along with people and gave them pep talks.”

Hertfordshire Police Federation equality lead Terasa Holden (left) volunteered to help at the London Marathon.

Terasa took annual leave to support this year’s event. Her week began by handing out T-shirts to runners at the London Marathon expo on Wednesday and Thursday.

And then on the race day itself, she helped marshal the course through her running club, Innovation Multisport based in Harlow.

Terasa said: “I’ve done the London Marathon three times and it’s giving back.”

Her day began at 7am when she was bused to her point on the course and did not finish until she was picked up 12 hours later.

“All that time spent on your feet, it’s hard work. It’s harder than running,” she joked.

“Your role changes over the day. With the elite runners, you have to make sure they’re safe and noone gets in their way.

“Then, as they get slower and slower, you’re encouraging them on, checking on people’s welfare and getting them medical attention if you need to.”

Terasa met runners from across the world and shared her experiences of running marathons in Chicago, New York, and Berlin, as well as London.

Her goal is to also run the Tokyo and Boston marathons, and in doing so complete the six courses that make up the Abbott World Marathon Majors.

“If you complete these six marathons then you get this amazing medal,” she said.

“I’ve done Chicago, New York, London and Berlin, and I’ve got Tokyo and Boston left to do.

“There were a lot of people doing that. It was amazing. You’d speak to people from all over the world.

“I met people from Chicago. I did Chicago in October, so it was nice to be able to talk to them about it.

“There was another lady who I talked to about the Tokyo Marathon, who has done it twice. On the day, she found me and we had a hug, which was really nice.

“It was a moving and inspiring day,” she added.

Chair of Hertfordshire Police Federation Luke Mitchell said: “Terasa, like so many in policing - despite having busy day jobs - give up so much of their private time to support many aspects of community life. 

“We had lots of officers running this year’s Marathon, raising valuable money for charities. The effort our officers go to, to support events, charities and local organisations is staggering and is something I hear about daily.

“From football coaches to scout leaders, swimming teachers to marshals at park runs, our officers give so much to their communities, it takes a special person to be a police officer and they go above and beyond in so many aspects of life.”  

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