Our CEO, Harriet Oppenheimer, braved one of the wettest Februarys on record to train for the London Landmarks Half Marathon 2026. Now she’s sharing what kept her going, the 80s tracks powering her race day, and why she’s proudly fundraising for RNID.
What inspired you to take on the London Landmarks Half Marathon?
I’m blown away by the many people who give their time and effort for RNID for free in so many ways. I’ve decided to do the London Landmarks Half Marathon because I want to be part of our volunteer world, as well as our staff team.
Why are you fundraising for RNID?
RNID is a charity that touches everyone’s lives. If you aren’t deaf or don’t have hearing loss or tinnitus, you’ll certainly know someone who is or does, whether that’s a friend, family, a neighbour, a work mate.
Being shut out of conversations or missing vital announcements is isolating – but there are so many ways to make life more inclusive.
Checking your hearing and getting the right support. Using the technology that’s right for you. Helping us fund research into treatments and cures for the future. Supporting people with hearing aid maintenance. These are just some of the practical ways we can make a difference together, today and for the future.
I’m full of optimism for the changes we can make, but we need support to make it happen.
How did your running journey begin, and what keeps you returning to half marathons?
I’ve been running for a bit over ten years. If I’m honest, I run to be healthy rather than because I love it, although there have definitely been highs as well as lows.
I try to run one or two half marathons a year, if nothing else to prove to myself that I can. I’m forever inspired and awed by people who run marathons. That’s a truly amazing thing to do, but I know my limits!
What has training been like during one of the wettest Februarys on record?
It has definitely been remarkably wet and muddy running for the last couple of months. In some ways, needing to go for a run at least forces me out of the house when I might otherwise have stayed in and listened to the rain from the safety of my sofa.
It’s wonderful now to go out when the mornings are getting lighter, the ground getting drier, and there’s a chance of blue skies.
What do you enjoy most about running – and what’s the hardest part?
I love the fresh air, being in control of where and when I exercise, and being able to run from my door rather than go somewhere specific.
The hardest part is it’s always, always hard!
What do you listen to when you run?
I tend to listen to podcasts when I’m training. News podcasts are my top choice for Sunday morning runs, as that’s my time to catch up on current affairs. But when I do races, I listen to 80s music from my youth in an attempt to get back some energy!
With race day approaching, how are you feeling?
I’m always nervous. Although I’ve always managed to finish when I’ve done a half marathon, there was once I very nearly didn’t, and pretty much collapsed at the end. And even though I run regularly every week, 13.1 miles is a really long way.
I’m not a fast runner, so I try not to clock watch, but I’d love to finish feeling like I’ve given it my best.
Will you have friends or family cheering you on during the race?
My husband is also running the London Landmarks Half Marathon, but I doubt I’ll see him along the way – he’ll be way ahead!
