Much has changed since then. Stanning has retired and returned to the Army, while Glover has taken a year off from rowing and is unsure what the future holds.

On Sunday, the pair will be reunited when together they start – and then run – the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon.

Training for the 26.2-mile race has been a new challenge for both, testing them physically and mentally.

“It’s been a totally different mindset going into this, knowing we’re not going to win it,” said Stanning, who is running for the Royal British Legion Industries charity.

“I’ve had to manage my own expectations. I found it frustrating at first when I didn’t hit targets, but I had to remind myself why I was doing it. I’m glad I realised that early on.

“It’s been refreshing. It’s not about being the best in the world, it’s about participation and sharing the journey with other people.”

Glover, who is running for the Brain and Spine Foundation, has had a similar experience: “When we were rowing, we’d be training three times per day, six or seven days a week and we’d take one day off every few weeks.

“I’d be asking myself, ‘Am I the best in the world, can this win me a gold medal?’ Now I’m asking myself, ‘Can I get out the door’?

“I chose the marathon initially to have a goal in my year off from running – that was my #ReasonToRun. But over time my #ReasonToRun has changed. I’ve become more and more inspired by other runners, and it’s changed my perspective of sport.”

In the past, they’ve always crossed a finish line together, but it’s unlikely that will happen on Sunday when they are both keen to beat their former crew-mate.

“My heart and lungs are fine, but my body is struggling,” said Stanning who is aiming for sub-four hours.

Glover has a quicker target time of around three hours twenty minutes but is still recovering from a 125-mile kayak race she completed with her TV presenter husband Steve Backshall last Sunday.

“The Kayak has set my mind at rest in terms of my overall endurance, but rowing is more comparable to an 800m or 1500m,” she said. “The marathon is a totally different beast and my pacing will be key.”

Before they hit the streets of the capital, the pair have the honour of starting the seven World Para Athletics Marathon World Cup races for wheelchair and ambulant athletes and the London Marathon’s elite women’s race.

“We’re both really excited about it,” said Stanning. “Many thousands get the chance to run, but only a handful get to start it. It’ll be an amazing experience.”

Virgin Money London Marathon