Currently residing in Madrid, where she works as a Primary School Teacher, Charlotte was especially delighted to see Former Headmistresses, Stephanie Pattenden and Jennifer Anderson among the audience, as well as former staff member, Sue Pepper and current Headmistress, Lucy Elphinstone.

Charlotte spoke of her career as a World-Champion mountain runner, a sport she didn’t take up until just over three years ago at the age of 38. Impressively, Charlotte gained the title of World Champion after just six months’ training. By 2020 she was also double European Champion.

Charlotte’s passion for mountain running developed during her summers in the French Alps with her grandmother, running at altitude in a group led by the Paris marathon winner, Sylvain Cacciatore. However, aspirations of taking running to an elite level originated on the Francis Holland school bus, travelling to hockey practice as a teenager. Charlotte had a conversation with her peer, Tania Kiralyfi about their dreams of getting to the Olympics. Charlotte wanted to run, and upon discovering that former PE teacher, Anne Margetson’s niece was participating in the Sydney Olympics, became even more inspired. 
 
Said Charlotte: “Francis Holland was and is a school which encourages pupils to find and develop their talents. Mrs Anderson and Miss Pattenden, our Headmistresses, and their excellent teams of staff, all with their different interests and gifts, from bell ringing to horse-riding and line dancing, gave us many inspirational assemblies. We were further enriched by visiting old girls such as Spud Talbot-Ponsonby who had walked the coastline of Britain with her dog, the equivalent distance of London to Delhi.”
 
Upon moving to Madrid, Charlotte discovered an enthusiastic running culture. She joined an athletics club, and spurred on by the motivation of other members, at aged 38 Charlotte signed up to the Madrid Championships, where she took first place. Charlotte has since achieved second and third places in the International Skyrunning Vertical Cup, all whilst working full-time as a Primary School Teacher. 
 
Charlotte’s audience listened attentively (and in awe!) of her sporting achievements, before taking questions at the end of the lecture and closing with the following advice: “I hope that today as I talked to you about chasing my dreams, I might have encouraged you to take some time out of your busy life to nurture and cultivate your own passions.”
 
We would like to thank Charlotte for participating as guest speaker at this year’s Old Girls’ Lecture. If you are thinking of pursuing a career as an athlete, and would like to get in touch with Charlotte, please do so by emailing alumni@fhs-sw1.org.uk