The marathon lengths Fiona Oakes goes to in her bid to help animals
Fiona Oakes chats to Chris Cope about overcoming a debilitating injury to become a world record runner – all in the name of helping animals.
FIONA OAKES doesn’t do things the easy way. She lost a kneecap due to an illness when she was a teenager, with doctors telling her she would not be able to walk again.
But some 30 years later the runner from Essex has racked up three world records, including being the fastest woman to run seven marathons in seven continents.
Fiona decided to push herself to these extremes and overcome the odds in a bid to promote her true love – her animal sanctuary, Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary, and her vegan lifestyle.
She looks after 450 rescued animals, including pigs, horses and numerous other creatures, getting up at the crack of dawn each day to feed them.
Fiona is also the subject of a new documentary film, “Running For Good”, which focuses on the runner taking part in the “toughest footrace on earth” – the gruelling Marathon Des Sables, which is a 250-km trek through the Sahara Desert.
“I’m not that interested in medals and trophies and times and personal achievement,” Fiona explains. “I’m running for a greater cause, so I put a lot of pressure on myself for that.
“I do carry a very severe injury. I had a kneecap removed when I was in my teenage years, and I was told I would never walk again, let alone run.
“When I took to running, it was basically because I wanted to speak out for the animals, but I also wanted to raise awareness of the sanctuary, and running at the time – Paula Radcliffe was doing really well – was generating great interest in the UK, which hadn’t been there in the past.”
Fiona describes herself as the “most amateur of amateur runners”, with no coach or physio on board.
“To do the amount of training that I do is painful. I know that I can manage the pain, because I know what causes it, so it’s more the mental barrier that I’ve got to break through.
“It’s a struggle, but there are people out there with far greater burdens to bear.”
Among Fiona’s other achievements is finishing in the top 20 in both the London and Berlin marathons, while she also holds records in races closer to home.
“I think I came fifteenth overall in the Berlin marathon, which is a massive result for somebody who is just a complete amateur. And then I come home and pick up my pitchfork,” she says matter of factly.
For many, sweating through the Marathon Des Sables – or even just your standard 42.185 km marathon – may not seem like the most enjoyable way to spend your time.
But the feeling of overcoming the odds and crossing the finish line is something that keeps Fiona coming back for more.
“It’s absolute euphoria and relief when you finish a marathon.” She smiles. “You feel blessed. It’s a strange thing when you’re running a marathon.
“When you reach certain mileposts you tend to think to yourself, I’m never going to do this again; whatever made me put myself through this? And then you go across the finish line and it’s literally – right, where’s the next one?
“The sense of achievement – and the battling not just physical but mental pain – is the greatest prize ever. It’s a feeling money can’t buy. It’s you versus you out there – there’s nobody going to help you.
“It’s battling the elements, battling yourself, and to come through it in one piece is just the most amazing feeling of achievement and satisfaction.” ■