Couch to 5K runners take on London marathon

All four runners completed Couch to 5K to start their running journey [Alicja Jones, Janine Anderson, James Dyer, Sheila Mitchell] To celebrate 10 years of the NHS Couch to 5K app, we spoke to four runners who started with the programme and are now attempting the 2026 London marathon. They share their stories behind why they took up running and the inspirations that keep them going, mile after mile. Sheila: In memory of her daughter Sheila is running the 2026 London marathon for the NSPCC [Sheila Mitchell] In 2021, Sheila Mitchell, from North Yorkshire, read an article about strength declining with age.

Her daughters suggested she try Couch to 5K to help counter it. Previously a regular squash player, Sheila never felt running was for her and admitted she thought it sounded "boring". But with her daughters' support, she downloaded the app and although at the start running for 30 seconds felt like "forever", it slowly got easier.

Sheila's daughter Holly was living with her at the time and supported her through the programme. Holly had competed in triathlons, but struggled with her mental health and alcohol addiction. She died aged 34 in November 2021.

Sheila's daughter Holly competed in triathlons [Sheila Mitchell] "When we lost Holly, I turned to running," said Sheila, now 68. "It was my lifesaver. " When Sheila took breaks from running, she returned to Couch to 5K to get moving again.