Meet Philly and Ellen. The two women behind Mums2Marathon, the honest, uplifting movement inspiring other mums to move, one run at a time.
Philly, born and raised in Christchurch, is a mum to two girls aged 9 and 7. By day she’s an insurance adviser and co-founder of R&P Insurance (quick plug: we’re all about living Plan A and having a solid Plan B in place). Ellen, also from Christchurch, is 41 years young, a mum to Henry (6) and Sofia (8), and the founder of EP Coaching, a run and swim coach for all levels.
We caught up with Philly and Ellen to hear how it all started, what keeps them going and what they’re chasing next.
Backstory & Motivation
What first sparked your interest in running?
Philly: I wanted something I could control. Exercise that worked around my schedule, that I could do anywhere, anytime. I also loved the idea that I didn’t have to run in the rain. Funny now, because I actually love running in the rain. For me, it was all about freedom, flexibility and fun.
Ellen: I always loved sports at school, the social and competitive aspects. After having kids, I found it hard to exercise, but running was an easy way to chuck on shoes and head out the door while they were young. Fast forward a few years, and I ended up running a marathon with Philly, documenting the good, the bad and the ugly of our journey.
How did the idea for Mums2Marathon come about?
Philly: Back in 2014, I had a failed attempt at a marathon, and then life moved on. Kids, work, you know how it goes. I didn’t get a proper chance to revisit it until 2022. That year felt different. I had the urge to go back and do it, but I wanted to share the experience with someone else. We started Mums2Marathon not because we wanted a following, but because we didn’t want to bore our friends and family with constant running talk. It became a place to document the whole process, the good, the bad and the ugly, leading up to the Queenstown Marathon.
Ellen: I had run a few half marathons (not very well), then Philly had a “great idea” to run a full marathon. So I joined for the ride, and @mums2marathon was formed with a community behind us. We loved connecting with others and encouraging them to give running a go, to learn how to love running, not think of it as a punishment.
Did you have any doubts or fears when you first started? How did you overcome them?
Philly: So many. Running is hard. Starting from scratch is incredibly humbling. Everyone wants to be able to just head out and run 5 km straight away and have it feel easy and fun. But for most of us, it’s a process. It takes time, consistency and a lot of patience. I had to really want it. That journey gave me a huge respect for the sport and for myself.
Ellen: Yes. I struggled with my weight post-kids and had long periods of being overweight, but I never let that stop me from trying to stay active. I always thought of myself as slow and not a “runner”, but over the years I began to enjoy training for challenges and proving to myself that I could do it and get fitter, faster and stronger in body and mind.
The Journey
What was your first run like, and how does it feel looking back on it now?
Philly: I actually started running on a treadmill. My first 10k and even my first half marathon were trained entirely indoors. I have no idea what I was thinking. I could never do that now. I love being outside, in the elements, fully present. That first half was brutal. I’d only run 15 km beforehand and had no idea how hard it would be. But I weirdly enjoyed it and learnt so much. When I came back to train properly on the road, it was a totally different experience.
Ellen: I remember running as part of surf lifesaving training, over the Sumner to Taylors Mistake hill in Christchurch. It was steep, it was awful, but some part of me enjoyed the pain cave and still does.
What has surprised you most about your running journey?
Philly: How mentally strong I’ve become. I used to stop a lot during runs and races. I’d doubt myself and give in. I didn’t know how to push through the tough bits. Now I’ve completed a full trail marathon without stopping once, something I never imagined possible. That shift is something I’m incredibly proud of.
Ellen: I never thought I’d be able to run a half marathon under two hours. It took me until I was 40 to run 1:56. That’s also when I hit my PBs for both 5 km and 21 km. Age isn’t a barrier. There’s always something you can achieve, whether it’s a faster time, longer distance or a different kind of terrain.
Have there been any unexpected benefits of running - physical, mental or emotional?
Philly: Running isn’t just something I do now. It’s a huge part of who I am. It’s in my daily routine. I feel off when I don’t run. It clears my head and grounds me. Running and listening to Taylor Swift is honestly my version of therapy.
Ellen: Yes. I used to run to burn calories. Now it’s more for my mental health. It helps me process my thoughts and overwhelm. I love filling my cup with a big trail run or a run-cation with friends.
Inspiration & Mindset
Who or what inspires you to keep going on the tough days?
Philly: My “why” is bigger than my excuses. That quote really hits home. I’ve done enough training now to know that the work pays off. Having a coach keeps you honest. You don’t want to send a half-hearted excuse when you skip a session. I also think about people who would give anything to run but physically can’t. I run for them too.
Ellen: Same. I’ve had injuries and illnesses that took running away from me. I remember how badly I wanted to run during those times. When I’ve got a training plan, a coach and a supportive community, I don’t let weather or excuses stop me. I also run for those who can’t.
What does running give you that nothing else does?
Philly: Freedom from my thoughts or space to sit with them. It helps me switch off from work, my phone and the world. The endorphins are unmatched.
Ellen: To forget about everything else and focus on the joy and privilege of moving. That feel-good factor after a run sets me up for the whole day.
Has your mindset changed since you started?
Philly: Massively. I used to hope I could do hard things. Now I know I can. Running builds resilience, and I carry that into everything I do.
Ellen: Definitely. Running my first marathon was the biggest mindset shift. I never thought I could or would. Now I’m contemplating an ultra. I wouldn’t have said that five years ago.
Community & Influence
What does it mean to inspire other mums to get moving?
Becoming a mum is hard. It’s demanding, exhausting and beautiful. Moving your body after kids is humbling. Everything changes. You build back from square one. If I can do it, so can so many others. I love seeing mums carve out time for themselves and their wellbeing. We need to support each other. I know, through the messages we receive, that M2M has been a small but powerful part of that for many.
Have any stories from your followers really stuck with you?
We get the most beautiful, timely messages from people saying they’ve just started running, entered their first event or got back out there post-baby because of us. These messages genuinely bring me to tears. You don’t always get likes or comments, so when someone takes the time to share how we’ve impacted them, it means the world.
What does it mean to represent a brand like A’PAIR?
We love that A’PAIR is a group of mates who followed through on an idea they care deeply about. You’re not just selling sunnies. You’re trying to be part of people’s stories. When people line up for an event, everyone’s got something behind their eyes. Being part of that with you is special. A’PAIR makes us feel like we belong, not just as runners but as people.
How do your kids feel about your running journey?
Philly: Training with a family is tough. Hats off to my husband. He’s incredibly supportive. Part of what I do is for my kids. They don’t quite understand what a marathon means yet, but I hope they’ll look back one day and think, if Mum did that, maybe I can do this.
Ellen: Longer distances take time away from the family, especially on weekends. I never thought my kids noticed, but recently they’ve started asking me to set alarms to go for a run before school. They’re watching. They’re taking it in.
Looking Ahead
What goals are you chasing next?
Philly: I want to focus more on trail running and experiences. Remove the pace pressure and just enjoy the adventure.
Ellen: Depends on what wild idea Philly has next, haha. Maybe an Aussie ultra. I’m also into ocean swims, so I’ll focus on that over summer and keep enjoying trail events. We always have a blast on our run-cations.
Where do you see Mums2Marathon heading in the next year?
Philly: M2M has evolved as our lives have. We don’t live as close now and can’t train together as often. That’s real life. But when we can train and share stories together, we will. You’ll likely see us entering our trail era.
Ellen: Same. We’ll keep sharing our journeys, events, challenges and goals as they evolve. We’ll keep encouraging others to run and connect.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
Philly: That you can achieve anything in life, running or otherwise. If we can run marathons, you can do the thing. Dream it, believe it, achieve it.
Ellen: That anyone can do it. With the right mindset and support, you can put yourself out of your comfort zone and do hard things, and then even harder things.
Philly and Ellen are the kind of people who remind us what’s possible when we lead with heart, grit and purpose. They don’t claim to be elite athletes or influencers. Their impact is far greater. Through Mums2Marathon, they’ve built a space for honesty, growth and real connection.
They are the unsung heroes of our community. The ones who show up, share the messy middle and inspire us to keep moving, no matter where we’re starting from. What they’re building is more than a running account. It is a movement, and it is changing lives. One mum, one message, one marathon at a time.
