Fed member running for late friend moved by ‘powerful’ London Marathon

21 May 2024

West Midlands Police Federation member Dean Marriott says the memory of his late friend pushed him over the finish line as he lived out one of his life’s goals at the 2024 London Marathon.

After years of unsuccessful ballot applications, 51-year-old Sergeant Dean ran the Marathon through an official charity entry of the British Heart Foundation. The sponsorship was in tribute to one of Dean’s closest friends, Paul Shepherd, who suddenly passed away after a cardiac arrest last June.

Throughout their friendship, the pair shared an enthusiasm for running, and Dean’s experience of long-distance races, together with a comprehensive training plan, saw him complete the event in an impressive and inspired finish time.

In among seemingly endless crowds who willed him on with praise and encouragement, the feat was also not without its punishing moments, Dean revealed.

“The toughest part by far was mile 25, right near the end. My legs felt like lead by this point,” he said. “I thought about Paul, hoping he would give me something to see me through.”

Dean Marriot hugging Paul's wife.

As Dean held his pal close in mind, he looked over his shoulder to see his prayers had been answered.

“I saw someone dressed up as Scooby-Doo about to overtake me – there it was, ‘Sheps’ telling me to get it back together.

“There was no way I was letting myself be outdone by Scooby-Doo,” he laughed.

The full effect of this surge in motivation would not reveal itself until the Marathon’s conclusion, nevertheless. The expected finish time on Dean’s Garmin sport watch was set at three hours and 57 minutes, but this was behind his real-time pace, meaning he was being inaccurately led and unknowingly at risk of falling short of his target.

In an amazing stroke of luck, he received his official finish time of three hours, 59 minutes and 31 seconds and realised he had fortuitously finished in just under four hours.

He added: “Clearly, it was a good job I began to speed up when I did. A target was never the driving factor for me in all of this, but once it was in my head that I was on track to finish in under four hours, I would’ve been disappointed not to have achieved it – and you couldn’t get much closer either way!

“The support from the crowds really helped drive me forward, too. It was honestly so powerful to hear my name being shouted like it was. You almost get a few free seconds of running where nothing hurts, and you just feel like you’re floating on air.”

Shared friends of Dean and Paul, who met at a baby group in 2010, were dotted around various points throughout the Marathon’s course, as well as the latter’s wife, Becky, and sons, Jake and Archie. Although not able to see the family immediately afterwards, Dean shared an emotional embrace with the trio when he broke off to the track’s side-lines during the race.

Also proudly in attendance on the day were Dean’s own wife, Jenny, and son, Charlie.

Post-marathon, Dean headed to the reception of British Heart Foundation runners to more adulation, presented with a stirring round of applause as he arrived.

Dean with wife Jenny and son Charlie.

“The Heart Foundation reception was fantastic. I soaked up all the attention and then got my hands on whatever buffet food I could find,” he said.

Having seen his JustGiving page raise over £4,600 for the charity, Dean has shared his appreciation for the generosity of donations from family, friends and policing colleagues.

“The amount that has been raised is incredible. Even the people who knew Paul but don’t necessarily know me, I am so grateful for everyone’s kindness whoever they may be.

“It means so much to me and his family.”

Without an extended rest period to enjoy, the sergeant spent his one day off before returning to work not wanting to breathe more life into the impact his body had taken from the event. Instead, he focused on the thrill of participating in the race, which had yet to wear off from his psyche.

“Of course, it’s fair to say I was sore, but I didn’t want to let myself go into a self-fulfilling prophecy of thinking my body couldn’t do anything. I was too busy reliving the buzz of the marathon – I couldn’t get over it.

“As someone who tried to enter so many times and would be almost a bit relieved when I'd find out I was unsuccessful, I can now say it is so worth it. If anyone is contemplating it, within the Police or outside, you should go for it.

“Any marathon is amazing, but if you’re lucky enough to get a spot on the London Marathon, it will be one of the most emotionally moving things you will ever do.”