They are billing this years London marathon as the best line up in the events history! All 4 Paris Olympic champions, the 3 fastest women in the world, the 2 defending champions from 2024, the second fastest Marathon runner in history Eliud Kipchoge and ……….me!!!!

I am pretty sure the elite runners above did not sign up to the ballot after a few glasses of wine on a Sunday last April after watching the marathon and thinking….I’d love to do that! Thinking, as I’d never registered for the ballot before, that my chances were pretty slim, and if I did get a place it would be fate… Well that happened!!

I am not a natural runner but I do (mostly) enjoy it and love the time It gives me outside, running along the Ridgeway and the river Thames. It often makes me feel lucky. Lucky that I am healthy enough to be able to run.

I've chosen to run the 2025 London Marathon for Sarcoma UK. Sarcoma is a type of cancer that develops in the bone and soft tissue. It is difficult to diagnose and one of the hardest to treat.

Mum died from a type of sarcoma in 2014. 11 years ago now but not a day, a birthday, an anniversary, Christmas or a special occasion, goes by without me missing her. She bravely faced up to the diagnosis, chemo and radiotherapy and nearly always had a smile on her face. That wonderful huge smile. There was not a time when I did not feel immensely proud of her strength and bravery, especially as we faced the inevitability of the end.

So now its my turn to be strong and a little bit brave and to not complain about the pain and get over that finish line at 26.2 miles with a smile upon my face and I will be doing it in her memory.

Any donation to Sarcoma UK, large or small, would mean so much to me and to the Sarcoma community. The money could go towards funding research, funding the invaluable specialist support line or helping with the manufacture of a new-generation drug (PROTAC) which specifically targets sarcoma proteins and could reduce treatment side-effects.

Over the next few months I will be running in rain, snow and I suspect a lot of mud. The runs are getting longer and harder and the mental challenge is as tough as the physical. Any support to keep me motivated will be amazing and I will be forever grateful.

Thank you for helping me make an impact.