Book trade staff brave heat to tread London Marathon

Orion's Tom Noble, Springer Nature's Michael Drapper and Kobo's Lindsey Mooney are among book trade figures running in Sunday’s Virgin London Marathon (22nd April) to raise money for charity.

Noble will be running for Kirkwood Hospice based in his hometown of Huddersfield, and told The Bookseller that "apart from the oncoming heatwave", he "can't wait" for the marathon.

"I’ve run a few marathons before but never London, so I’m determined to enjoy the incredible atmosphere and raise as much money as possible for Kirkwood Hospice in my hometown of Huddersfield, who do really important and inspiring work", said Noble. "The Hachette offices should make a nice landmark around mile 24 to show I’ve nearly made it, and massive thanks to all who have sponsored me so far – every single penny makes a difference and is hugely appreciated!"

Drapper, marketing manager of Social Science at Springer Nature, will be running for the Human Dignity Trust, an organisation that works to provide legal support to same-sex couples or LGBT people facing persecution or prosecution overseas.

He added: "I originally signed up as a personal challenge, and if my training is anything to go by, the Marathon itself is definitely going to be one. But I’m looking forward to it, to raising some funds for a good cause, enjoying the atmosphere of London at its best."

Charlotte Mursell, editor at HQ, HarperCollins, is running for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, a cause "very close to her heart".

"I’ve always hoped to run a marathon somewhere in the world, but it feels particularly special to be running amongst 50,000 others in my home city!", said Mursell. "I'm feeling] very excited, relieved the training is finally over and a little nervous that it’s going to be the hottest London marathon on record and just hoping that I won’t be overtaken by someone carrying a fridge on their back…"

Also taking on the 26-mile race will be booktuber Lauren Whitehead, aka Reads and Daydreams, running in support of Refuge.

Whitehead said: "I got inspired to run the marathon during last year’s race. From my roof it sounded like the whole of the city was cheering and it seemed such an amazing thing to be a part of. I am also famously bad at following through, so signing up to a challenge that I had to take seriously was a big driver as well! I’m getting very nervous now, questioning everything I’ve done in training and refreshing BBC Weather every few minutes, but trying to trust that everything will come together on the day..."

Meanwhile, Poppy Stimpson, publicity manager at Transworld Publishers, who will be running on behalf of Health Poverty Action, said: "I’m excited! It’s my very first marathon and it’s something I have always wanted to do. The training has been tough, and the Beast from the East didn’t help, but I am thrilled to be able to raise over £2,000 for a charity close to my heart."

Also running will be Mooney, Kobo's content lead UK and Australia. She said: "I'm running the marathon for Cancer Research UK, in memory of a close friend who died of cancer a year and a half ago. I met her in my first job in bookselling. I've also seen how an immunotherapy drug available on the NHS, immediately out of trial, changed the life of another of my best friends, so running 26 miles is the very least I could do to try and fund some vital research into this horrible disease.

"I'm feeling petrified about it! I have to say that having London Book Fair the week before wasn't ideal. My training went out of the window and I definitely did not get the alcohol-free early nights all the experts recommend in the lead up to the marathon!"

Rachel Whitehouse, head of marketing at Thames & Hudson, will be running for mental health charity Mind.

"The nerves are setting in, but I’ve put in the training, so hopefully will be able to enjoy it on the day (possible heat stroke aside!)", she said. "I’m relatively new to the Thames & Hudson team, but they have been so supportive, especially during the bake sales from yesterday, where we raised £190.16 in lunchtime alone!"

The Bookseller would like to say a big "good luck" to all runners from the trade taking on the London Marathon. If we've missed anyone, please add your details in the comments below.