Our very own David Worden from Ravensbourne School isn't just a fantastic teacher, he's also a dedicated runner with an impressive marathon record! David recently completed his seventh marathon, achieving a personal best time of 2 hours, 45 minutes, and 23 seconds.

This wasn't just any marathon for David. He laced up his shoes with a mission to raise money for the beloved Ravensbourne school library. "I ran the Marathon this year to try and raise some money to support the Literacy programme and for our school library," David explains. "The librarian and I are going to use the money to create a safe comfortable space in the library for students to read and relax. I am also hoping to buy a few tablets to support with the Accelerated Reader programme to help students complete their mini quizzes once they have finished a book."

David's dedication to both running and our school community is truly inspiring. His journey began back in 2018 with his first marathon in Brighton. Since then, he's conquered courses in London (twice!), Manchester, Dorney Lake, and Brighton (twice again). "My first marathon was Brighton back in 2018," David recalls. "I then managed to get a place through my running club for London in 2019 and just dipped under 3 hours."

With each race, David has honed his skills and improved his time. "Things started to come together and I managed to get a little quicker each year with more running and training!" he says. And his hard work has certainly paid off! Not only did he achieve a personal best, but his impressive time also means he's likely secured a "good for age" place in the 2025 London Marathon!

David's passion for running extends beyond personal achievement. "Start small and gradually build up the time on your feet," he advises aspiring runners. "Don't worry about times or pace just get out there and run. Local park runs are brilliant and provide a real sense of community and support for runners of all abilities."

Inspired by David's story? You can still support his fundraising efforts for the school library here.

We are incredibly proud of David's accomplishment and his commitment to our school. Here's to many more marathons, David!