​A marathon journey from Ripon to the world stage

A FORMER Ripon Grammar School student has joined the ranks of an elite group of female athletes worldwide.

Becky Naylor, who left RGS in 1993, is one of only 755 women and 1,376 men in the UK to have run six major world marathons – earning her the coveted Six Star Finisher medal.

Formerly Rebecca Cooper, she ran her sixth Abbott World Marathon Major in New York earlier this month, having already completed London, Berlin, Chicago, Boston, and Tokyo between 2022 and 2025.

The fact that she first took up running only eight years ago makes her achievement – which includes a personal best time of 3hrs 29 minutes - even more remarkable.

“It’s been a challenging but hugely rewarding journey,” said the digital marketing agency owner, who is based in Ripon.

“New York was the grand finale – completing all Six World Majors. Standing in Central Park with that final medal in hand was the icing on the cake,” she says.

Having faced her fair share of setbacks Becky admits that, at one point, she feared she wouldn’t make it to New York.

After running London ‘for fun’ in April, she developed a prolonged hip injury that put her New York place at risk: “It took patience, physiotherapy, osteopathy, and sheer determination to make it to that start line,” she says.

“Globally just 8,182 women hold the coveted Six Star medal, and it still amazes me to count myself among them.”

Becky, whose fitness journey began when she started playing rugby in 2017, has raised £8,000 for charities across the world and travelled thousands of miles to take part in races and training.

“When I walked out of the gates of Ripon Grammar School for the last time in 1993, I never imagined that decades later I’d be travelling the globe, running in some of the biggest and most prestigious marathons in the world.”

Her marathon journey has shaped her, not just as a runner, but as a person, she says: “Each city, each race, has left its mark. I’ve met incredible people, experienced moments of pure exhaustion and pure joy, and learned more about resilience than I knew possible.”

While her Six Star chase may have ended, she’s ready to take on new challenges, whether that’s another ambitious race series or trail challenge: “I’m ready for whatever comes next.”

Becky tells her story below:

From Rugby Pitch to Marathon Start Line

My route into running was entirely unplanned. In 2017, I started playing rugby, helping to reform the women’s Bluebelles team at Ripon Rugby Club. The fitter I became, the more I enjoyed running as part of my training. In 2019, I took on the Great North Run for Muscular Dystrophy, my first half marathon. Crossing that finish line was a revelation. I couldn’t help wondering: could I go further? Could I tackle the full 26.2 miles?

I applied to Muscular Dystrophy for a London Marathon charity place, and to my shock, I was accepted. The race was originally set for April 2020, but Covid had other plans. On the day the race should have taken place, I ran my own “Ripon Marathon” – loops around the city streets, greeted at a homemade finish line in front of my house, complete with a handmade medal.

The official London Marathon was eventually held in October 2021, and it was my debut marathon road race. I ran it without chasing a specific time, enjoying the atmosphere, but when I posted my result online, friends were quick to point out that I had earned a Boston Qualifying Time. I didn’t even realise the significance at the time, that Boston was considered the “holy grail” of marathon running as you can only qualify for a place based on your age and time. I applied with my London time, was accepted, and just like that, the journey to Six Stars began.

The Six Majors – One Step at a Time

2021 – London
Charity place for Muscular Dystrophy. Unexpectedly earned my Boston Qualifying Time, opening the door to the next chapter.

2022 – Boston
Boston’s strict qualifying times made this one extra special, and I’ll forever be a Unicorn!

2023 – Chicago
Qualified on time after running London for the second time in 2022 and entered into the World Age Group Championships. Certainly, my toughest race, just four days after recovering from Covid.

2024 – Berlin
Charity place for the Alzheimer’s Society. I ran a personal best of 3:29, enabling me to qualify for New York. Berlin’s flat course and electric energy made it unforgettable.

2025 – Tokyo
One of the hardest marathons to gain entry to due to its small race field and limited places for international athletes. I ran for Japanese charity Florence, adding another meaning to every mile.

2025 – New York
The grand finale – completing all Six World Majors. Standing in Central Park with that final medal in hand was the icing on the cake.

Over these five years, I’ve raised £8,000 for charities across the world and travelled thousands of miles – not just in races, but in training.

The Training is the Real Challenge

People often assume the marathon itself is the hardest part, but in truth, the race feels like a victory lap. The grind lies in the 16-week training block beforehand – the relentless early morning runs, in all weathers and seasons, and the long weekend runs that steadily build up mileage. That’s where the discipline is forged.

Along the way, I’ve dealt with my fair share of setbacks. Most recently, after running London “for fun” in April 2025, I developed a prolonged hip injury that put my New York place at risk. It took patience, physiotherapy, osteopathy, and sheer determination to make it to that start line.

Beyond the Road – Other Challenges

Marathons aren’t my only passion. Over the last two years, I’ve competed in HYROX fitness events, both Solo and in Mixed Pairs. I’ve twice qualified for the HYROX World Championships and even stood on the podium for my age group. I’m also a huge fan of off-road racing, tackling long distances in Yorkshire’s stunning countryside, where the scenery is as much a reward as the finish line.

Gratitude and What Comes Next

Looking back, what strikes me most is how much this journey has shaped me, not just as a runner, but as a person. Each city, each race, has left its mark. I’ve met incredible people, experienced moments of pure exhaustion and pure joy, and learned more about resilience than I knew possible.

New York may have marked the end of my Six Star chase, but it feels more like the start of something new. Whether it's another ambitious race series, more HYROX competitions, or ultra-distance trail challenges across Yorkshire, I’m ready for whatever comes next.

To think it all started with helping to rebuild a women’s rugby team in Ripon is proof that life’s journeys don’t have to be planned to be extraordinary. For me, the Six Stars are a reminder that goals can grow in ways you never anticipate – and with hard work, perseverance, and a bit of luck, you can take them all the way around the world.