Former London Marathon Champion from Exeter Prepares for Comeback, Supported by Local Strength Studio fit20 Exeter

A former London Marathon champion from Exeter is preparing for an emotional return to the iconic race this Sunday, more than a decade after her last appearance.

Sarah Piercy, who won the wheelchair race at her very first London Marathon in 2000 at just 19 years old, will take on her eleventh marathon on 26th April. Now, after an 11-year break, she has decided to return for “one more time”.

“I’ve always loved taking part,” Sarah said. “The atmosphere, the crowds, going over Tower Bridge, it’s just incredible. I’ve really missed it.”

Sarah has been preparing for her comeback with the support of fit20 Exeter, a local strength training studio that specialises in safe, supervised, time-efficient training.

Despite living with arthrogryposis, a condition affecting muscle development and joint movement, Sarah has seen significant improvements in her strength and overall physical condition during her training.

“The training has been fantastic,” she said. “The team are really supportive and understanding. I’m not just feeling it in my arms, my walking and leg strength have improved too.”

Studio Manager, Pete Eggleston, who has been overseeing Sarah’s training, described her progress as remarkable:

“You can see the elite athlete in her. There’s always one more rep, one more push. Her stamina, strength and energy levels have all improved significantly, not just for the marathon, but for everyday life as well.”

He added that Sarah’s journey highlights something often overlooked in traditional fitness settings:

“At fit20, we work with people of all ages, backgrounds and physical abilities, including those with health conditions or limitations that might make conventional gyms feel inaccessible. Our training is always closely supervised, controlled and tailored to the individual, which allows people like Sarah to train safely and effectively.”

fit20 is a global strength training concept operating in 15 countries, with over 23.000 members worldwide. Its approach focuses on a single 20-minute session per week, delivered in a private, appointment-based setting with a qualified personal trainer.

For Sarah, the goal is now firmly in sight.

“I can’t wait to get round that final corner, down The Mall, and have that medal put around my neck,” she said. “I’ll have the biggest smile on my face.”

While she says this will be her final marathon, she admits she has said that before.

One thing is certain, Exeter will be cheering her on.