11 April 2023
Sophie’s London Marathon journey
Sophie Squire, a 26-year-old Radiographer at University Hospital Southampton, beat the one in seven odds to successfully get a ballot place for the London Marathon in 2023. Here’s why she’s running the London Marathon for Southampton Hospitals Charity…
“I’ve worked as a Radiographer since September 2021 in the Cross-Sectional Imaging Department at University Hospital Southampton, carrying out scans to 90% of patients that come into the hospital.
We use CT and MRI scanners to take images of the body to check for injuries or abnormalities, such as broken bones and cancer, so that we can proceed with targeted treatments.
I am very proud to be a Diagnostic Radiographer and to work at University Hospital Southampton. My colleagues have been amazing in helping me find my feet within the unit.
Running the London Marathon
I began running in September 2021 to try and get more medals than my fiancé, Richard. Through this silly competitive endeavour, I found running also helped my mental health and my perception of my self-image, and worth.
In 2022 I set myself the challenge to complete a competitive race a month. These races ranged from 5 miles to a half marathon. During this challenge I applied to the London Marathon ballot thinking it would take several years before I was successful, but to my surprise, I got in first time!
As this is such an epic race, I knew that I had to run for charity. For me, there was no other option than to run for the hospital, through Southampton Hospitals Charity.
I have already set up a training schedule for the London Marathon as it is quite daunting to have to double my current distance!
I have a long few months of training ahead of me, but every time I talk to my patients, I know that I am running for them. That gives me the confidence to know I will finish!”