Ian and Deborah Warburton have tackled five of the world’s six major marathons together
A COUPLE who first ran into each other at a training session in Penarth are aiming to complete a marathon challenge together.
Ian and Deborah Warburton finished the New York Marathon last weekend meaning they’ve now finished five of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors.
The husband and wife now only need the Tokyo run to complete the series of international races held in cities including London, Berlin, and Chicago.
The first couple met in 2012 at a Penarth and Dinas Runners training session in Cosmeston Park, and their relationship grew from there.
Left: Ian and Deborah Warburton, outside their house on Berkley Drive. Credit: James Bessant Davies
“I remember us both in the back of a car share after a club race in the Forest of Dean,” said Deborah, a bank manager.
“We were chatting away, and after the race, I told him to get in the back for a massage – all too eagerly!”
“Then there was a ceilidh night at the Con Club for the Penarth and Dinas Runners’ 25th anniversary,” Ian, a school planning officer, added.
“We didn’t do much dancing, just talked all evening. Eventually, we started training outside the group, and people began casting aspersions.
We were running up Beach Hill one day, and someone drove past and said, ‘You two together again? People will talk’.”
Left: Barry Parkrun before the couple’s wedding. Credit: the Warburton’s.
Ian, 60, and Deborah, 57, married six years ago and had a running-themed honeymoon, taking part in the Marathon du Médoc in France.
“It’s a mad race,” Deborah said. “You run through vineyards, stopping for wine, cheese and oysters at every mile. We went with a minibus of runners from the club, all in fancy dress.
“It was a perfect day. We thought about doing it again, but it was one of those things you just can’t recreate.”
Below: Ian and Deborah run the Marathon du Médoc with members of P&D Runners. Credit: the Warburton’s.
Before running the New York Marathon earlier this month, Deborah suffered a stress fracture, leaving her unable to run for seven weeks before the race.
“I hadn’t trained, so it was hard going,” she said. “I managed to run 16 miles before switching to run-walk. But I’m so proud I finished.”
Ian, who finished the race alongside Deborah, was equally impressed. “For someone who hadn’t run in nearly two months, it was an incredible achievement,” he said.
“For the first 12 miles, I was just smiling. I think it’s probably the best marathon in terms of support.
“Everyone talks about the hills – the five bridges – but I was running thinking these have nothing on Penarth!
“The music was brilliant – there was even a punk band in the Bronx. That’s me showing my age, but it was so cool.”
Deborah laughed: “He’s definitely showing his age. He’s got a room full of guitars at home – it’s his other obsession!”
Despite Deborah’s injury, the couple persevered to finish in an impressive 4hrs 51mins 45secs, and celebrated their achievement at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square.
“There was a free bar, live music, and they even cheered us as we came down the stairs,” Ian said. “It was just amazing.”
“[New York] is so noisy and busy – everything’s bigger and louder,” Deborah said.
“We were there during Halloween, the Day of the Dead, the marathon, and the elections. It was buzzing, but I couldn’t live there.”
Ian agreed: “I’ve lived in Penarth nearly all my life. The pace is slower here, even when I go into Cardiff on a Saturday night it can be too much. New York was like super that, It’s on a different side of the spectrum.”
Left: the Warburton’s extensive shoe collection. Credit: James Bessant Davies
The couple train together regularly, as well as with the Penarth and Dinas Runners. “The club’s motto is ‘the friendly running club,’ and it’s absolutely true,” Deborah said. “It’s not tribal like some clubs. They’re so inclusive and supportive.”
“We often run along the pier, out to Barry, or even as far as Castell Coch on long runs,” Ian said. “Penarth is a brilliant place for running.”
Now, their sights are set on completing the World Marathon Majors with Tokyo. “We didn’t get a place in the ballot for 2025, and it’s expensive, but we hope it’ll happen in the future,” Ian said.
