Sports reporter Katie achieves marathon dream in Manchester

An estimated 28,000 runners took part in last weekend's Manchester Marathon - including our very own sports reporter Katie Catherall.

Many participants tackling the gruelling 26.2 mile course were raising funds for good causes, with Katie running for local charity The Believe and Achieve Trust.

"I can't even explain how a marathon feels, it's crazy," she said. "The whole experience is just unbelievable. The whole way through I felt so emotional, every other mile I kept crying but it felt incredible to finish it and I can't believe I've done it after all these months of working up to it."

Our award-winning sporting superstar from Stalybridge has been recovering since running her first ever marathon but, reflecting on the race through her home city, she felt it wasn't what she had been expecting.

'The crowd motivates you so much'

"I knew it was going to be tough, I've done half marathons and a few different races before but the full marathon is like nothing else," Katie, 19, explained.

"The whole way through, it's a proper mental battle with yourself. I got to around mile 17 and I thought 'can I even do this? and 'can I carry on?' but I think the crowd motivates you so much.

"All of the people who you run with are so inspiring. It's hard to determine what to expect when you get to the marathon but it was definitely an unbelievable experience."

Despite at least three months of intense training, Katie admitted she didn't feel very prepared but crossing the finish line near Manchester United's Old Trafford ground felt so satisfying.

"I don't think you'll ever feel prepared for a marathon - everyone I spoke to there said the same too," she told Tameside Radio's Dave Sweetmore.

"I didn't feel prepared at all and I think that made it even more amazing when I crossed that finish line. The emotion you feel anyway is crazy but I think when you cross the finish line it all kind of hits you. I had my hands in the air cheering but I was crying my eyes out - just full of pride and the fact I'd actually done it."

WATCH: Katie crossing the finish line at the 2023 Manchester Marathon

Supporting Believe and Achieve 

Katie's debut time was five hours and 52 minutes, which she was happy with, but the most important factor for her has been raising vital funds for Tameside-based The Believe and Achieve Trust.

The charity raises awareness about meningitis and provides sports grants to help those affected by the illness.

"People might remember that we had a vote last year where we asked our readers and listeners to choose from three local charities for me to raise money for and The Believe and Achieve Trust won," Katie said.

"They are an incredible charity and their support throughout this whole journey has been amazing. It's important to support local small charities too so I was proud to be supporting them."

She has so far raised over £700, with her JustGiving page still open until the end of April for people to donate, and Katie wants to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated.

Katie with her Manchester Marathon medal and t-shirt next to the Tameside Radio van, sponsored by Any Van Rental in Dukinfield 

Katie will be presenting the final amount to The Believe and Achieve Trust at the Made in Manchester festival in Dukinfield on Saturday 27 May.

"That will be so exciting, I can't wait for that," she said. "The festival is already amazing and a lot of people in Tameside go to it, so to present the cheque to the charity there will be an amazing feeling."

So, after the whirlwind journey of completing Manchester 2023, will we see Katie back on a marathon course again?

"Not in the short term, but you never know - you can never say never," she added. "I probably will be one of those people who aims to do all of the major marathons at some point so we will see."

If you missed Katie's chat on Tameside Radio with Dave Sweetmore reflecting on her Manchester Marathon, you can listen again below...