Tony's story

Hello, I’m Tony Russell Hopkins, a 58-year-old butcher from Fyfield, Ongar, and I’m thrilled to be running the 2026 London Marathon with my son, Sam, to raise vital funds for Prostate Cancer UK! This journey is deeply personal—earlier this year, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer after an elevated PSA of 4.79 ng/mL and a PI-RADS 4 MRI led to a biopsy confirming the disease. Thanks to active surveillance and the support of my medical team at The Princess Alexandra Hospital, I’m managing it with regular monitoring, and I’m determined to turn this challenge into a force for good.

Running 26.2 miles alongside Sam, who secured his place through the ballot, is more than a race—it’s a symbol of hope, resilience, and family strength. Having completed five marathons in the past and raised thousands for various causes, I’m back on the track after a few years, fuelled by this cause. Sam and I aim to raise £3,000 to support Prostate Cancer UK’s life-saving research, early detection programs, and support services—work that could benefit me and thousands of men like me.

As a butcher, I’ll host steak night fundraisers at local restaurants and butchery experiences and rally our local community. Every pound you donate will help fund breakthroughs and awareness, and we will share updates on our training and my health journey along the way. Please sponsor us to help beat prostate cancer—together, we can make a difference!

Thank you,
Tony & Sam Hopkins


#TeamHopkins #LondonMarathon2026 #ProstateCancerUK