I will be running the London Marathon 2026, in loving memory of my younger brother Alastair Travis, who passed away on 25th January this year of an astrocytoma, a type of malignant brain tumour. He was just 35 years old and new father to ten-week-old twins, Sid and Raffi.

Ali was an incredible, incredibly special person, who faced his terminal diagnosis and 3 years of gruelling treatment with great courage and resilience: nothing short of taking on a marathon in the midst of raising 3 small but mighty children, would do justice to such a wonderful person.

All funds will go to The Brain Tumour Charity, who supported Ali throughout his illness, to aid in their vital work supporting those diagnosed with this devastating, currently incurable disease, raising awareness and campaigning for better funding and research.

Despite being the biggest cancer killer of children and people under 40, brain cancer is often considered an ‘orphan disease’ – overlooked and underfunded, with treatment protocols that haven’t changed since the 80s. Patients diagnosed with Ali’s cancer have a life expectancy of 6 months to 3 years, and in the meantime may experience excruciating pain, personality changes, neurological problems, brain damage and seizures.

Increasingly, new research and avenues of treatment show that this situation can change – and we really can’t wait. Investment is so important to prevent other families from experiencing the pain and heartbreak of losing a loved one who should still be here with us.

You can read more of Ali’s story on their website.

Please show some support by dropping some round pounds into the bank.

Keep me motivated by dropping a suggested track into the *Slay List* below - either something you think will keep me going at mile 23 or that reminds you of Ali.

And if you want to track my progress give me a follow on Strava

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Dear Ali,

It is nearly a year since you left us. You really were loved so much, by so many. All of us who loved you will be forever changed and nothing will ever be quite the same.

We surrounded you, as you left this world. The resilience you demonstrated throughout your illness was nothing short of remarkable. You were generous, thoughtful and brave enough to make this as easy for us all to bear as possible. You cared deeply for others and even under these circumstances this was no exception.

Watching cancer steal your brilliance, was the hardest period of my life. For a short time I worried these memories would come first, but as the months have passed, I remember you in all your glory; exceptionally bright, seriously silly, always kind and forever curious.

To me, your special skill was making everyone feel understood. Wise enough to meet people in their world, which seemingly simple enough, is a quality rarely seen. You were my younger brother, but I always looked up to you, and you made the world a better place for everyone around you.

Sid and Raffi will soon turn one, and I believe in some way, you will continue to live through them. It deeply saddens me that you can’t see them grow, you would have been an excellent father. I hope our respective mobs will play and grow together for long into the future. My promise to you is we will love them so much and bring your memory to them.

I think you understood the importance and fragility of life, which made you incredible at living, all the way to the end. Keeping your memory alive makes us all better at living too.

You loved a mad scheme – the more extreme the better – and I wanted to honour you in way that felt fitting to me: I think you would have loved me doing this (although you would definitely have also said it was ‘mental’). I am certain you have had a hand in getting me to the start line.

In our 20s marathon day, was always so much fun! We’d gather at Tower Bridge with ungodly hangovers, to cheer on the runners, (special shout out to marathon superstar of approx 2010,11,12,13,15 Jacob Payne) and drink dangerously high ABV cider, to ensure we were taxing our body as much as the runners (insert cry laugh emoji but make it more cry).

If I am running well then great, and if my legs fall off, fair enough – it’s a bloody marathon after all and I wouldn’t do anything less. I think you would have loved to see it.

All my love,

Jo

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The Brain Tumour Charity is the world's leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Committed to saving and improving lives, we're moving further, faster to help every single person affected by a brain tumour.

We're set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change. And we're doing it right now. Because we understand that when you, or someone you love, is diagnosed with a brain tumour a cure really can't wait.