Paula Radcliffe, the iconic British marathon runner, is filled with pride as she prepares to support her daughter, Isla Lough, in her first London Marathon on Sunday, April 27, 2025. This significant moment is especially poignant as 18-year-old Isla has triumphed over a rare form of cancer in the past five years, making her marathon debut not just a personal achievement but a testament to resilience.
Paula, who still holds the British marathon record, has a rich history with the London Marathon, having competed in the event multiple times and represented Great Britain at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. A decade has passed since Paula last participated in the London event, and now she finds herself in a unique position — cheering on her daughter from the sidelines.
On the race day, Paula will trade her running shoes for a microphone, joining the BBC commentary team to provide insights during the marathon. Reflecting on the emotional stakes, she told Radio Times, "It's an extremely emotional place to be anyway, when you see people turn that corner on the Mall and they realize they've done it. But when it's your little girl doing it, that's going to be a bit more emotional." This heartfelt sentiment captures the essence of a mother watching her child accomplish something monumental.
Isla is not just running for personal glory; she is also raising funds for Children with Cancer UK, a cause that resonates deeply with her family following her own battle with ovarian cancer. Her diagnosis came in 2021, a time when she began experiencing concerning symptoms like bladder discomfort and atypical bleeding. After a visit to a pediatrician, scans confirmed the family's worst fears: Isla had a malignant germ cell tumor, a rare condition affecting about one in 200,000 women.
Paula recalled the harrowing moment she received the diagnosis. "I was given the diagnosis that nobody wants to hear when the doctor said Isla had cancer. The doctor had asked Isla to sit in the waiting room before telling me what it was. I burst into tears but had to stop crying and pull myself together before Isla came back into the room a few minutes later. The doctor then explained the diagnosis to Isla." This moment marked the beginning of a challenging journey for both mother and daughter.
In the face of this adversity, Paula found strength in her athletic background, drawing parallels between training for races and following a treatment plan. "When we were over the initial shock and the medical team had explained everything, having that sporting background helped," she reflected. "We had a treatment plan - like all the training plans I have followed over the years - and it was something we could stick to and see things improving."
The experience was particularly taxing for Paula, who had recently lost her father, Peter, to cancer in April 2020, just before the onset of the COVID-19 lockdown. "It was really hard, preceded by losing my dad in April 2020, not through COVID at all, but that complicated matters," she shared. The emotional toll of watching Isla undergo intensive therapy was immense. "It's the hardest thing a parent can go through. You can support them and be with them the whole way through, but you can't do that chemo for them. It's horrible to watch your child suffering through that, but at the same time, we believed that if it felt bad, it was killing the cancer. There are things you're not ready for – either going through it or as a parent."
Now, as Isla prepares to run alongside over 56,000 other participants in the 2025 London Marathon, she will take her place on the starting line at Greenwich Park, eager to prove her strength and resilience. The marathon culminates on The Mall, where runners will cross the finish line in front of Buckingham Palace, a route that highlights some of London's most iconic landmarks, including Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, and Big Ben.
Isla is not alone in her endeavor; she joins a diverse group of runners, including Lindsey Burrow, the widow of rugby league legend Rob Burrow, who is also participating to raise funds for Leeds Hospitals Charity and the Leeds Rhinos Foundation. The event promises to be a celebration of endurance, community, and the spirit of giving, with enthusiastic spectators lining the streets to cheer on participants as they tackle the challenging 26.2-mile course.
As Paula Radcliffe watches her daughter take on this monumental challenge, the pride she feels is palpable. This marathon represents not just a physical feat but a powerful narrative of hope and recovery. Isla's journey from cancer patient to marathon runner is an inspiring reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the bonds of family.
In a world where challenges can often feel overwhelming, Isla Lough's determination to run her first marathon while raising awareness and funds for a cause close to her heart stands as a beacon of inspiration. It is a story of love, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and daughter, underscoring that even in the face of adversity, hope and triumph can prevail.
