When I crossed the finish line of the London Marathon in April 2026, I honestly thought that was the end of the journey.
After months of training, fundraising, injuries, early mornings and plenty of self-doubt, I’d achieved something I never thought possible. I was a London Marathon finisher.
A year later, I’m incredibly grateful to have been offered another charity place by the Meningitis Research Foundation for the 2027 TCS London Marathon.
So, before this new chapter begins, I wanted to take a moment to look back at the journey that got me here.
Looking Back at London Marathon 2026
It’s hard to believe a year has already passed since I stood on the start line of my first marathon.
If I’m honest, the final week before race day was filled with nerves. Not because of the distance itself, but because I was terrified of something going wrong at the last minute. Both of my kids had picked up colds in the two weeks leading up to marathon weekend, and I spent my time trying to keep my distance without them noticing. After months of training, I didn’t want illness to take away my chance of reaching the start line, although, if I’m honest, by that point it probably wouldn’t have stopped me.
Training hadn’t gone exactly to plan either. Around ten weeks before the marathon, my IT band started causing problems. Instead of building the mileage I’d hoped for, I had to focus on managing the injury and making sure I completed my long runs. It wasn’t the perfect build-up, but it was enough to get me to Greenwich.
The Challenge Beyond the Running
The marathon wasn’t just about running 26.2 miles.
It was about raising money for the Meningitis Research Foundation, a charity that means a great deal to me.
If I’m being honest, asking people for donations was one of the hardest parts of the whole experience. I’ve never been comfortable asking for money, even for such an important cause, and there were times when I genuinely wondered whether I’d reach my £2,300 target.
Thankfully, I wasn’t doing it alone.
My wife was incredible throughout the whole campaign, encouraging me whenever I doubted myself, and thanks to the generosity of family, friends and complete strangers, together we reached the target.
To everyone who donated, shared my fundraising page, or simply encouraged me along the way, thank you. You helped make the whole journey worthwhile.
Marathon Weekend
On the Saturday before the race, my wife, our two excited kids and I caught the train to London.
My cheer squad.
One of my favourite memories wasn’t actually marathon-related. It was seeing how excited the kids were to explore London. That was especially special because my son had been struggling with anxiety during the week and, at one point, didn’t even want to come. Seeing him enjoying every minute made the weekend even more memorable.
I made a quick visit alone to the Marathon Expo, collected my race number in record time, then jumped on the Tube to meet everyone at Tottenham Court Road before trying to relax ahead of the big day.
Race Day
My start wave wasn’t until 11:05, which felt surprisingly late, but somehow the morning disappeared.
Standing in the starting area, it was already hot. The sun was shining, and there wasn’t much shade, but despite the nerves, I also felt a huge sense of relief.
The training was done. There was nothing more I could do.
Months of training, setbacks, physio appointments, early mornings and sacrifices had all led to this moment.
I remember thinking to myself:
This is the victory lap.
The atmosphere was unlike anything I’d experienced before. Thousands of runners, each with their own story, all encouraging one another before setting off together.
My race plan was simple.
Finish.
I knew the second half would hurt, and I’d accepted that before I’d even crossed the start line.
26.2 Miles
The London Marathon is impossible to describe until you’ve experienced it.
The crowds never seemed to stop.
The incredible fancy dress costumes made me smile throughout the day.
Then came Tower Bridge.
Running across it with thousands of spectators cheering is something I’ll never forget.
Of course, not everything went smoothly. Earlier in the race, I managed to stand on a bottle, and by the closing miles I was feeling every step.
Then, with around one mile to go, I spotted my wife, my kids and my mum and dad.
That moment gave me exactly the lift I needed.
The Finish
My official finishing time was 6:12:29.
Crossing the finish line wasn’t about the clock.
It was relief.
Relief that I’d done it.
Relief that months of hard work had paid off.
There had been moments during training when I genuinely wondered whether I’d make it. I worried about letting people down, my family, everyone who had donated, and, most importantly, my sister Rachel. I was running in her memory and fundraising for the MRF in her honour. However hard it became, I knew I had to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
I wasn’t going to let that happen.
Even if I’d had to crawl the final miles, I was determined to earn that medal.
After crossing the line, I stretched, found a quiet spot in the park, sat on my own for a few minutes and let it all sink in before heading off to find my family.
What the Marathon Taught Me
Looking back, the biggest lesson wasn’t about running.
It was about resilience.
The marathon showed me that I’m tougher than I ever thought I was, and sometimes you simply have to get up and keep going, even when things get difficult.
If I could give one piece of advice to the version of me who first laced up his trainers, it would be this:
Start strength training early. It’s every bit as important as the running.
So… Why Am I Doing It Again?
When people found out I’d secured a place in the 2027 London Marathon, one of the first questions they asked was, “Why would you do it all again?”
The truth is, while I’d love to improve on last year’s time, that’s not the biggest reason.
The biggest reason is the Meningitis Research Foundation.
Running last year gave me the opportunity to support a charity that means so much to me and to raise awareness of a disease that changes lives in an instant. Thanks to the incredible generosity of family, friends, colleagues and complete strangers, together we raised £2,300. Every donation helped support the Foundation’s work in funding vital research, raising awareness and supporting people affected by meningitis.
When the London Marathon ballot opened, I entered, along with a world-record 1,338,544 other people, but like most of the others, I wasn’t expecting to get in. I wasn’t ready to let another year pass, so I entered the Brighton Marathon, which takes place just three weeks before London. My plan was simple: if London didn’t happen, I’d still be running 26.2 miles and fundraising for the Meningitis Research Foundation.
Then the unexpected happened.
I got a place in London. Although I hadn’t secured a ballot place, the Meningitis Research Foundation offered me another charity place, once again. It was an opportunity I simply couldn’t say no to.
So now, instead of one marathon, I’m taking on two marathons in three weeks. Running one marathon is a challenge in itself. Recovering and then doing it all again just three weeks later will test me more than anything I’ve attempted before.
It’s going to be a huge challenge, but that’s exactly what makes it worthwhile. It’s another opportunity to raise awareness, raise vital funds, and support a charity that means so much to me.
Of course, I’d love to improve on last year’s performance, but if there’s one thing the marathon taught me, it’s that the time on the clock isn’t what matters most. The real goal is to raise even more money, raise more awareness, and honour Rachel’s memory in the best way I know how.
So here we go again.
Two marathons.
Three weeks apart.
One incredible cause.
Every mile I run is for Rachel. Every donation helps the Meningitis Research Foundation continue its incredible work supporting families, funding vital research and working towards a world free from meningitis.
If you’d like to support me on this journey, I’d be incredibly grateful. Every donation, no matter the size, really does make a difference.
And if you’re not able to donate, sharing my fundraising page with your friends, family or colleagues is another fantastic way to help.
Thank you for reading, thank you for believing in me, and thank you for being part of this journey.
The road to 2027 starts now. Let’s make a difference, together.