Local Warlingham woman, Lauren Graham-Cook, has just joined the ranks of sporting legends Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis Hill as she completed her run at the iconic Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park last month – thanks to winning a spot in a very unique team…

As a busy working mum of two, Lauren dedicated her whole life to her husband and children and was eager to to do something for herself and be confident enough to make the most of her upcoming holiday to California’s sunny shores.

Plenty of parents would be able to identify with Lauren’s predicament – prioritising her families’ healthy dinners and simply grabbing something convenient, yet lacking nutrition for herself. Coupled with nights spent snacking on the sofa, Lauren believed the weight had crept on which left her feeling sluggish and lethargic. Keen to make a change and get a much needed energy boost, Lauren entered a competition she had spotted online, run by 9BAR, the super seed brand who was looking for ‘Can’t Doers of Britain’ and daring them to take part in a special challenge.

Open to everyone, from couch potatoes to grannies, 9BAR’s nationwide search called for people from different walks of life to shake off their slump, stop saying no and instead, say yes to joining #Team9BAR and take part in the Great Newham Run, with exclusive training provided by Professor Greg Whyte, OBE.

Greg believes that ‘anyone can achieve the impossible’ and he is a man who knows more than most about overcoming obstacles - having witnessed hundreds of meltdown moments first hand through his involvement with numerous celebrity Comic and Sport Relief challenges.

From pounding the pavement at Jo Brand’s side as she plodded through her 135 mile ‘Hell of a Walk’, convincing Eddie Izzard to try on his first pair of running trainers (thus easing him into 27 marathons) and treading freezing water with David Walliams as he fought his way across the English channel, Greg has been the driving force behind some remarkable high profile sporting achievements, but now was his time to help Lauren reach her goals. Lauren had one simple goal. To run 10K and live to tell the tale. And with Greg’s help she was more than able to do it!

Lauren says: “I felt really nervous on the morning of the run as I didn't have a clue what to expect, my nerves eased as soon as arrived at the stadium, the atmosphere was amazing and was so lovely to meet up with the other Team9BAR winners! 

Race day was extremely hot and I found this difficult as I had trained mostly in the evenings when the children were in bed so climate change was difficult but I got through it and loved every minute.  I feel immensely proud of myself, the 6 weeks leading up to the run, I trained very hard and was out 4 nights a week in all weathers (mostly rain). 

I think a vital part of training for something like this, is what you eat - its so important to fuel your body with the right nutrition.On the morning of race day I ate a banana, slice of jam on toast and 9bar which really helped me get round in the sweltering heat! I have since signed up to park run and will continue this amazing journey and keep running!”

Greg says: “We can all relate to being too busy and finding it difficult to slot time in to train but it’s always important to focus on giving yourself a few minutes of time, just to check in and make sure you are ok. Lauren had dedicated herself to being a great wife and mother but this was her time to apply those same principles to herself and have her moment in the sun. What she achieved was amazing – she really impressed me”

Lucky Lauren was selected from hundreds of entries and joined 8 other runners to form #Team9BAR. Prepping her in the crucial weeks running up to this, Greg and 9BAR equipped her with a tailor-made training programme and nutritional advice, all of which was especially personalised to suit her and give her the strength to continue to focus on herself!