Dillon gave TWGSB Connect a brief interview on his achievement:

Hi Dillon, you must have been chuffed to have featured in The Kent Courier recently about your record? Was it an amazing experience running in the London Marathon?

I got a place through the ballot (Approx. 1 in 20 chance) and have been running since the age of 10, but have only started taking it more seriously over the last couple of years. I trained for 16 weeks, gradually increasing weekly distance and the distance of my long runs, until early April when I started to decrease the amount I was running. I was aiming for around 2:33-2:35, but felt strong throughout the whole race and, after getting to halfway in 1:14:22, knew that I could target 2:30. Unfortunately, I fell short by 12 seconds, but still broke my club's 32-year-old marathon record. 

Photo credit: Sportograf

Photo credit: Sportograf

We here you got into the University of Cambridge after TWGSB – how are you finding it?

I am in my second year at Cambridge, studying languages at Girton College. Next year, I am going to be at the ENS Lyon on my year abroad, before returning to Cambridge for my fourth year. I really enjoy my course as there is lots of flexibility in the papers that are available to students. For example, in the second and fourth years, you are able to choose new languages for that year - I picked up Polish this year, and plan on doing the same for a different language in my fourth year.

Although Oxbridge is known for its intensity, I truly believe that extra-curricular activities don't have to be sacrificed. I was able to successfully balance my degree with marathon training by being productive with my time. Additionally, running is a great way meet others in Cambridge through the university club.  

Do you have any advice for current TWGSB students hoping to be Oxbridge candidates?

What is stressed by both Oxford and Cambridge is having a deep interest in the subject that you are hoping to study. Any references to super-curricular activities in the personal statement are invaluable as it demonstrates that the applicant has gone out of their way to expand their knowledge surrounding their subject. In my opinion, the interview is the most important part of the application process as it allows the interviewer to see how the applicant responds to challenging questions in real time.

If you would like to get in touch with Dillon to find out more, please email: connect@twgsboys.kent.sch.uk and we will connect you. 

If you have completed any feats or charity events recently, please do let us know: connect@twgsboys.kent.sch.uk