Dressage rider set to run “brutal” and “gruelling” marathon for equine charity, Brooke

Just weeks after competing in the National Championships, Grand Prix dressage rider Alice Oppenheimer is set to run the full 26 miles this October, raising vital funds for welfare charity, Brooke

Eighteen months later than planned, dressage rider Alice Oppenheimer is now a mere matter of weeks away from one of the biggest challenges she’s faced to date – the London Marathon (Sunday 3 October). Taking place between the BD National Championships and Horse of the Year Show, it’s come at a busy time on the calendar. But, with a fundraising target in mind and final preparations to get on with, it’s all systems go.

“It’s brutal,” said Alice, when asked how difficult it was to train for a marathon. “A half marathon, I think anyone can do, but those extra miles are gruelling.”

After Brooke won charity of the year at Olympia 2018, Alice’s friend, native pony producer Sam Roberts, asked if she could put a word in to help her get a charity slot so she could run the London Marathon for them. Due to Alice having supported the charity for many years, and even having visited the charity’s work in India alongside global ambassador Charlotte Dujardin in 2015, the charity agreed, but on one condition – Alice had to run, too. A few glasses of prosecco in, she willingly agreed, and then the challenge was on.

The pair could never have anticipated the effects of Covid delaying their plans repeatedly. They were set to run last April but, due to lockdown, the marathon was postponed until the following October. Alice said that, for her, training over spring was much easier as her competition schedule was quieter than in winter. But, having only reached the half marathon milestone by June 2020, she realised she still had a long way to go and simply wouldn’t be ready for the October race. Deferring a year, Alice remained determined to raise the funds and train hard. Now, with just 11 days to go until her big race, Alice has had to undergo a tough training regime for a second time, in between training her dressage horses and competing at the Nationals last week. She’ll also need to recover quickly, as she’s scheduled to ride at HOYS a week after she completes the marathon.

But, best laid plans aside, Alice will be going it alone, as Sam needs to remain on top form for HOYS the week after the marathon’s set to take place. So, she completed her 26 miles virtually last October. “Sam’s a much more natural runner than me and, for her, it was completing the distance that she wanted to achieve – so she decided to run it virtually around her local area. But I want the experience of London, and I’m very thankful that I’ve been given the opportunity to run for a charity so close to my heart.”

Alice has had lots of success in her fundraising efforts, quickly surpassing her initial target to raise £5k, and is now surging past the £7.5k mark. “I’d absolutely love to reach £10k – that would be an amazing amount of money.”

To follow Alice’s journey and donate to her cause, head to justgiving.com/fundraising/alice-oppenheimer