Appleby taking on streets of London for Wooden Spoon
LONDON’S calling for Exeter Women’s head coach Susie Appleby, who will be one of over 40,000 who will take to the streets for the annual London Marathon on Sunday, April 21.
A keen runner, the 53-year-old is set to take on the 26.2 miles in aid of Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby.
She will be joined in the race by two more of the Devon club’s staff, team manager Cat Moore and media manager, Caroline Moore.
“I took up running when I retired from rugby,” said Appleby. “I love just running the miles around where I live, just to clear my head and for the physical endurance.
“I’ve had a long association with Wooden Spoon, first playing for them, then coaching them, so there’s always been a big rugby connection – and it’s a charity that is very close to my heart.
“I knew there would be a time when I should run the marathon and when this opportunity arose, it seemed like the perfect fit, especially as it doesn’t clash with a match day!”
Training has been going well for Appleby, whose side sit third in the Premiership table following their big victory over Loughborough Lightning last time out.
“I actually ran a marathon the other week just because I was angry after the Gloucester game,” said Appleby. “I just got up that morning and ran the distance. To do London, though, it’s pretty special and I’m really looking forward to it. It’s meant to be amazing with all the people lining the route, shouting and encouraging you. It’s also fantastic Cat and Caroline are doing it as well.”
As well as her training, Appleby continues the daily grind of looking after her Chiefs outfit, who will be looking to not only retain their Allianz Cup crown for a third successive season, but also go one better in terms of lifting the league title. “The Loughborough win was big for us, as we’ve had a tricky few weeks,” continued Appleby. “That happens to teams as times, but it’s how you regroup. Getting back to winning ways was crucial and we looked a lot more like ourselves. It wasn’t always perfect, but it was certainly a step in the right direction.”
The Chiefs, like their top-flight rivals, are now inactive for the next month while the Six Nations and other international competitions take centre stage.
And for Appleby, the sight of a number of her young, homegrown stars making it into the Red Roses training squad underlines the work she and her team have been doing at Sandy Park in recent times.
“When we came in all those years ago, the aim was to start producing international, homegrown players,” Appleby said. “It’s been brilliant to see the likes of Maisy Allen, Brooke Bradley, Lizzie Hanlon, Merryn Doidge and Maddie Feaunati all get that exposure at different times.
“We want to keep that development of players progressing and we’ve certainly laid the foundations for what I think will be a successful future.”