This Sunday, the iconic TCS London Marathon will once again bring together thousands of runners from all walks of life, each with their own unique stories and motivations. Among the 56,000 participants expected to hit the streets on April 27, 2025, are comedians, local heroes, and individuals overcoming personal challenges, all united in their quest to conquer the 26.2-mile course from Greenwich to The Mall.
One of the standout participants is British comedian Romesh Ranganathan, who is set to run the marathon for the second time. At 47 years old, Ranganathan is not just aiming to complete the race but also to inspire others who might not see themselves as runners. Having previously run the marathon in 2024 for CALM, a mental health charity, he is now supporting the Teenage Cancer Trust. "I want to be an ambassador for runners who thought they’d never be runners," he stated in a recent interview with Runners World.
Ranganathan's journey into running has been a surprising one. He expressed his amazement at the supportive nature of the running community, sharing, "It has surprised me how supportive the running community is. People have even emailed long, detailed lists about how to avoid chafing." To further this sense of community, he has created an online group for first-time London Marathon runners, emphasizing that it will not be about performance but rather about sharing experiences and supporting each other.
Reflecting on his first marathon experience, Ranganathan admitted he underestimated the challenge. "I didn’t know anything about fueling – I’d only ever run 10K, and you can run 10K on nothing," he recalled. After hitting the wall during a 16km training run in Ipswich, he learned the hard way about the importance of preparation. "I had to get an Uber back to the hotel!" This year, he aims for a sub-five-hour finish, a significant improvement from his six-and-a-half-hour time in 2024.
Another inspiring story comes from Becki Malloy, a 30-year-old runner from Horsham, who is participating in the marathon for the National Brain Appeal. Malloy's motivation is deeply personal; her father was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's at 52 and passed away last year. She hopes to raise funds to support research at University College London, stating, "Running the London Marathon was on my bucket list so I took the crazy leap to do it." Despite her previous experience with half marathons, she described the training for this marathon as "a lot harder" than she anticipated, saying, "I can't say I'll be running another one too soon afterwards."
Meanwhile, Bethany Wood, who lives with cystic fibrosis, is running for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. This marathon will mark her 10th in just 10 weeks, part of a larger legacy challenge. Wood aims to inspire others with cystic fibrosis, sharing, "Life can go on and you can still go and do amazing things." She noted that she plans to give her medal to her younger daughter, as she did with her first medal from the London Marathon.
Jon Carter, a father from Sussex, is running to support his son Ethan, who has arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC). Carter, who admits he doesn't particularly enjoy running, is motivated by the impact the charity Whizz Kidz has had on his family, providing Ethan with an electric wheelchair that allows him greater independence. "I want to show him through hard work you can achieve more than you expect," Carter said.
Sid Keyte, 54, from Salisbury, is set to run dressed as a phone box, a unique choice inspired by his brother Robin, who has myotonic dystrophy. Keyte is raising funds for Muscular Dystrophy UK, aiming to raise awareness about muscle-wasting conditions. He shared, "Having these conversations and increasing awareness is just as important to me as raising money." This will be his third consecutive year running for the charity.
In south east London, local runners are also gearing up for the marathon with heartfelt stories. Martyn Allchurch, 41, is running alongside his friend Kay Kapsalis, who is battling pancreatic cancer. Their training sessions have been a testament to their friendship and support for one another. Tommy Rowlingson, 21, who was left paralyzed from the waist down at 19, is now set to run for the Spinal Injuries Association, showing remarkable resilience.
Jade Mayling is running for her best friend Tiffany, who is currently fighting breast cancer, while Dylan Rowley, 22, who has cerebral palsy, is proving that limits can be broken by running his first marathon. James Page from Sidcup is taking on the challenge with a 6ft 5in teddy bear strapped to his back, raising funds for Children with Cancer UK.
As the London Marathon approaches, the stories of strength and determination from these runners highlight the spirit of the event. Each participant brings their own reasons and causes to the race, reminding us all of the power of community and the human spirit in the face of adversity. With the marathon just days away, the excitement and anticipation are palpable, and the streets of London will soon be filled with inspiring stories that go beyond the finish line.
