Tony Coyne, a Learning Delivery Officer at DWP, got in touch to ask for support towards his entry fee and race vest after being selected to represent the England Masters Athletics Team at the Manchester Marathon 2026. We were delighted to support Tony on his journey.

Below is his account of the day:

“Representing England isn’t something many people get to experience — and certainly not in their 50’s!

But in April 2026, I had the privilege of pulling on an England Masters vest and lining up for the Manchester Marathon, right in my home city.

It was a day I’ll never forget!

The journey to that start line wasn’t straightforward. I found out about my England selection on the very same evening a cardiologist told me I could continue running, as long as I monitored symptoms and attended follow‑ups. It was a strange mix of relief, gratitude, and disbelief - the kind of emotional rollercoaster that makes you appreciate the simple act of being able to run.

There was also some unfinished business. In 2023, I’d run a qualifying time for England Masters at the Manchester Half Marathon but missed out because I hadn’t completed a new registration process that had been introduced that year.

At the time, I thought the opportunity had passed me by. So, when the selection email arrived this year, it meant more than I can put into words.

Training for the marathon was squeezed into a short nine‑week block, fitted around work and coaching commitments. It wasn’t perfect, far from it but, it was consistent. And that consistency paid off.

Race day began at Old Trafford with the England team photo, a surreal moment in itself. The atmosphere was buzzing, the sun was out, and the support around the course was the best I’ve ever experienced in Manchester. Friends, clubmates, and complete strangers lined the streets, shouting encouragement that carried us through every mile.

I made a conscious decision to start calmly, settling into a steady rhythm rather than chasing pace too early. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of the day. The miles ticked by smoothly, and even the notorious climb through Altrincham felt manageable this year.

One of the highlights came around mile 17, when I found myself running alongside a young lad from Glasgow tackling his first marathon. We chatted for a while, about training, nerves, and the challenge of the final 10K and it helped both of us stay relaxed as the effort started to build.

But the moment that will stay with me forever came at mile 23. I spotted my daughters on the side of the road, cheering with everything they had. I’d thought I’d missed them earlier in the race, so seeing them there just when fatigue was threatening to creep in gave me exactly the lift I needed.

The final stretch down Oxford Road was a wall of noise. I crossed the line in 2 hours 45 minutes and 17 seconds, a personal best by 4 minutes and 33 seconds on the time I achieved in Frankfurt last October and finished 6^th out of 18 in the England vs Northern Ireland & Wales international match.

Even more surprising was discovering afterwards that I’d run 22 miles within just five seconds of each other - the most consistent pacing I’ve ever managed and a wee negative split.

There was a slightly comic moment after the finish when, in my exhausted state, I took a wrong turn and ended up hobbling half a mile in search of the bag drop. On the way, I came across a Welsh runner who’d torn his hip flexor and was shivering on the pavement. I stayed with him until the medics arrived - it was the least I could do for a fellow competitor.

The rest of the day was a blur of family hugs, food, a shower, and then straight to the football -which somehow felt more tiring than the marathon itself. A couple of celebratory ales helped.

Now that the dust has settled, I’m still processing it all. Representing England, running a PB, and doing it in Manchester - the city where I train, coach, and feel most at home made it incredibly special.

Whether this is the first and last time I wear the England vest, I don’t know. But if it is, what a way to do it. It’s a day I’ll treasure for a very long time.”

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