I am running the 2025 London Marathon in memory of my good friend Toby Bevans, and to raise money for Bowel Cancer UK.

Toby was my running partner - together we completed the Windsor Half Marathon on several occasions, and covered lots of miles together along the Thames and in the Great Park, not least during lockdown. Even better than the distance covered, was the conversation along the way - maybe suggesting that we should have been running faster!

In June 2023, Toby and I ran / walked from the top of the Lake District to the bottom, covering 50 miles in 2 days and raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, a cause close to Toby’s heart. Until his diagnosis, we were planning a repeat trip to the Lakes in 2024, this time traversing it from East to West. I will do that trek one day soon, but for now it’s particularly apt that I am running the London Marathon in memory of Toby. Thank you for your support!

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Toby was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer in January 2024 with very few obvious symptoms. It came as a complete shock and forced him to adapt overnight from normal life to one dominated by medication, appointments and care timetables. Toby battled this horrific disease with incredible strength, bravery and a smile on his face. His calm, rational and focussed approach has been so admirable. When he could, he watched Freddie’s sports games, Tilda’s dance routines, caught up with friends or sat back with a book in his hand.

Despite his heroic fight, Toby died on Sunday the 16th June, poignantly on Fathers Day. The disease had simply moved too quickly.

Team Toby was formed on the 10th May, to support Toby in his fight and to raise a load of money for Bowel Cancer Research. Team Toby reached the initial target in just a few hours, and at the time of his death had hit a staggering £27000, and has continued to grow from there!

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A bit about Bowel Cancer UK…

We’re the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity.

We fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.

We’re here to stop people dying of bowel cancer.