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Hungover bride-to-be comes third in Brighton Marathon

Eleri Griffiths
BBC News
PA Media Emily running the marathon wearing a hen hat and a orange vest with writing on which says "it's my hen party weekend". She is also wearing a white sash and glitter heart sunglasses. There are other runners blurred in the background. PA Media
Emily Marchant ran the Brighton Marathon during her hen do weekend

A bride-to-be came third in the Brighton Marathon, despite battling a hangover from her hen do weekend.

Emily Marchant, 34, was determined to do something "memorable and different" as she prepares to marry her partner in four weeks.

After a 03:00 BST finish on Saturday night, Ms Marchant completed the 26.2-mile course on Sunday with an impressive time of two hours and 58 minutes.

She said: "It was honestly the good vibes that just got me through it all."

Bride runs marathon on hen do and comes third

Ms Marchant began running eight years ago after stepping away from football.

She said: "A few of my friends had signed up for half marathons, and I thought, 'it can't be that hard, I'll give it a go'. That's when I caught the running bug."

A lecturer and researcher at Swansea University, Ms Marchant runs about six times a week, and Sunday's race marked her 18th marathon.

"Training for a marathon takes a lot of time, energy, and commitment, but I absolutely love it.

"I enjoy the whole process of working towards something, gradually improving, and getting stronger, fitter, and faster," she added.

London Marathon Events Emily standing on the podium with the first and second females. Emily is on the left. She is wearing a hen hat, an orange vest with writing on which says 'it's my hen party weekend', a white sash and glitter heart sunglasses. London Marathon Events
Despite only getting four hours of sleep, Emily Marchant (left) achieved a "unexpected" podium finish

For her hen do, Ms Marchant was determined to make it "iconic" and after researching fun destinations, she decided Brighton was the perfect place for her memorable marathon.

Once she signed up, her friends took charge of organising the weekend, which included a sports day in an old school hall, electric shock football, and 'Emily's Ale Trail' - a pub crawl with seven different beer stops.

She added: "They did an amazing job. It was so much fun.

"On Saturday, we were out until very late, which I haven't done in ages.

"When I woke up the next morning for the marathon, I just thought, 'what on earth have I done'?"

Emily Marchant Emily with her friends after the race. She is standing in the middle with 16 people standing around her, many are holding various signs and props including a blow up daffodil and a mega phone. Everyone is looking at the camera and smiling. Emily Marchant
Ms Marchant met her friends at various mile markers, where they added quirky new pieces to her outfit throughout the race

Despite only getting four hours of sleep and waking up feeling "very ropey", Ms Marchant was determined to enjoy the race and "soak up the crowds".

She said: "I tried to get some breakfast down, but it wasn't going well.

"I ran to the start, and it was all such a blur because I honestly didn't know what was going on."

Dressed as a hen for the occasion, Ms Marchant said she had to meet her friends at various mile markers throughout the race, where they added quirky new pieces to her outfit.

She crossed the final 100 metres holding an inflatable doll with a picture of her partner, Charlotte, attached to it.

Although the race had plenty of highs, Ms Marchant admitted there were also many lows.

"I've got to be honest, it was really hard. I really underestimated it," she added.

The "amazing" support, energy, and high-fives from the crowd helped her push through to the finish line.

While her marathon personal best is two hours and 36 minutes, Ms Marchant finished Sunday's race just 22 minutes slower and achieved an "unexpected" podium finish.

She celebrated with a Sunday lunch and an evening of karaoke.

Ms Marchant added: "I still can't believe what's happened in the last 24 hours - it's been crazy.

"My advice to all future hens is do something random, because you won't regret it."