22 April 2025

Watching her dad run the London Marathon nine times, Harriet always knew she wanted to take on the challenge herself.

Yet after numerous rejections when she applied via the marathon ballot, Harriet began to think her goal of crossing the marathon finish line might never come true. When the opportunity for a charity place arose at Twins Trust, she applied and was successful. Harriet, who has twin girls with husband Tom and is the former chair of Cheltenham Twins Group,  explained why running for the charity means so much to her. She learned about Twins Trust during her pregnancy, when she had to attend most of her antenatal appointments alone due to Covid restrictions.

“Twins Trust gives a huge amount of support to twin groups throughout the country, including Cheltenham twins, and during my time as chair, Twins Trust helped us with both the logistics of running a baby/toddler group, supported us with online meetings for us to brainstorm with other twin groups, and also helped financially through their fundraising raffles."

“I have applied virtually every year to the London Marathon ballot  - every year receiving that devastating rejection email, whilst also in the back of my mind thinking ‘phew’.

“When the opportunity came up to run for Twins Trust, I jumped at the chance. For me this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am so excited to be able to experience the London Marathon.”

Harriet is mum to non-identical twins, Charlotte and Olivia, who were born in 2021. She said she was lucky to have a straightforward pregnancy and went on to become a regular at Cheltenham Twins Group, where she found an amazing community of twin parent friends, who ‘just got it’.

She added: “They fully understood the ups and downs of twin parenting life. Our weekly meet-ups were (and still are) a complete lifeline to me. When the girls were just over one, I became chair of Cheltenham Twins Group – a baton I recently handed on. I absolutely loved being chair of the twins group and am proud of how it has grown over my two-and-a-half years as chair.”

I am so proud of what I’ve achieved so far

As she prepares for the big day on Sunday April 27, Harriet recalled a fun memory about her dad’s marathon days. She added: “The London Marathon has been part of my life growing up. My Dad, an avid runner, has run it nine times, My mum braved taking my sister and I to London to support him since I was five-years-old. On the way home from his first London Marathon, I demanded to wear his medal whilst in the services on the M4. I accidentally left it there and caused a very stressful 20 mile detour to retrieve it. Thankfully it had been handed in to customer services.”

Training for the marathon has been tough, Harriet said, but it has also allowed to find herself again. She said: “It takes a huge amount of time, a very supportive husband and some equally supportive parents and in-laws. Whilst I have enjoyed a lot of it, some of the long runs have been gruelling. I am so proud of what I’ve achieved so far.”

Friends, family and work colleagues have rallied round to support Harriet’s fundraising and she’s already raised more than £2,000 for Twins Trust. Talking about marathon day, Harriet said: “I am nervous but excited for “the big day”. I’m hoping to enjoy it and be able to soak up the atmosphere. I know I’m going to be an emotional wreck by the end, especially when I see the girls, my husband and parents who are all coming along to support me throughout the day.

“I have really enjoyed challenging myself and hope that my running the marathon might inspire other parents/carers of multiples to have a go at organising or taking part in a fundraising event and raise awareness and funds for Twins Trust.”  
Sponsor Harriet via her JustGiving page.