London Marathon Motivation 2026
01 April 2026
London Marathon day is emotional and inspirational for runners and supporters alike. The event helps raise invaluable awareness and fundraising for the NF community and is a great opportunity for us to meet one another.
The NTUK head office team are looking forward to seeing our runners and providing encouragement at the start line, along the route, in the stands on The Mall and then in St James Park to meet and greet our runners and their support groups after the race. We've got 35 runners in London, and another 2 doing London Marathon 'My Way'.
Our Team NTUK runners have taken on this bucket-list challenge as it's "a cause close to our hearts". Some of them have shared why supporting the NF community matters to them. Read their stories below.
Could it be your turn next year?
Register your interest to run for Team NTUK at the 2027 London Marathon.
Nico McBain
"This will be my 3rd London Marathon supporting the charity. My sister Emir has NF and like most other charity fundraisers, it’s close to our hearts. Excited to run for a charity so close to our family. Cannot wait. Going to be an emotional day."
Nico's fundraising page
Ryan Galpin
"My training is going well and I’m looking forward to race day! I am supporting Nerve Tumours UK because a close family member suffers from NF1. Nerve Tumours UK have done a lot for her and I would like to give something back!"
Ryan's fundraising page
Lilian Baldwin
"I'm running with NTUK because my brilliant Auntie, Anna Lickley, had NF2. She ran the London Marathon twice herself, and sadly passed away in July 2024. I'm running to celebrate her and to raise money for a cause close to my family's heart."
Lillian's fundraising page
Myles Stringer
"I’m running the London Marathon because my little boy, Rory, was born with NF1 and has a plexiform fibroma behind his eye. I want to do what I can to support families affected by NF1 and help drive better research, treatment, and long-term outcomes."
Myles' fundraising page
Louise Brown
"I am very excited to be running my first marathon. It is an honour to be running in support of Nerve Tumours UK which is close to the heart of my best friend’s family. I am pleased to be able to raise awareness and lots of money for this great cause."
Louise's fundraising page
Matt Walmsley
"I’m a cyclist, so it’s got to be something special to make me get off my bike! That very special reason is our daughter Matilda. About 2 years ago we discovered that Matilda has a brain tumour as a result of this condition."
Matt's fundraising page
Adrian Maj
This will be Adrian’s 11th consecutive London Marathon for NTUK, in support of his niece, who has NF1.
Adrian's fundraising page
Jarryd Hillhouse
"Living with NF1 brings uncertainty, but endurance sport has reframed it for me. That’s why I chose to run for Nerve Tumours UK - to give back to a community that supports people living with NF1 and to raise awareness of a condition often misunderstood."
Jarryd's fundraising page
Jayna Patel
"I’m taking part in the marathon because my two year old nephew was diagnosed with NF1 last April. It’s a cause that’s very close to my heart, and being able to run for it means a great deal to me. His smile is my reason."
Jayna's fundraising page
Richard Baxter
"Proud to be supporting such an important cause, so many people are affected by NF2, we need more people to be aware and to support and together we can tackle it and make the lives better of the people, especially the children who are affected."
Richard's fundraising page
Denise Forin
"I’m running the 2026 London Marathon to make a difference, support a meaningful cause, and prove to myself that I can go further than I ever imagined."
Denise's fundraising page
Kayleigh Blackburn
"NF1 brings a lot of uncertainty & a loss of control. We had never really heard of NF1 before I found it on Google back in Sept 2023, and our family/friends hadn’t heard of it prior to Lily’s diagnosis in Dec 2024. This was something we wanted to change."
Kayleigh's fundraising page
Pete Burbridge
Following Lilly’s NF1 diagnosis, the Burbridge family have taken part in multiple awareness and fundraising events over the years. Lilly’s mum Sarah ran last year... this year, it’s Lilly’s dad Pete lacing up his running shoes for the London Marathon.
Pete's fundraising page
Tracy Hodge & son Sam
"Until Sam found out about his tumour, we had no idea that NF1, NF2 and Nerve Tumours UK existed, let alone how they can change your life in literally one second. This year, Sam & I are running the 26.2 miles of London Marathon My Way - a family event!"
Tracy & Sam's fundraising page
"In December 2022, my son Sam discovered he had a nerve tumour in his spine, which was a result of a nerve cell mutating. Sam endured a long operation that month, the day after Boxing Day in fact, to remove a 9 inch tumour from his spine, and started on his recovery journey which involved him learning to walk again, regaining his fitness and regaining his strength.
In late 2023, Sam discovered there were more tumour pieces further up his spine. The only option was radiotherapy and Sam underwent 33 sessions of radio in early 2024, from his brain, all the way down his spine to put the tumour pieces to sleep - hopefully they will sleep for 10-15 years, but only time will tell.
Sam's tumour contains glioma cells which causes brain tumours and we remain lucky that, at the moment, the tumour pieces have not moved upwards to Sam's brain.
Nerve tumours are very rare, and whilst they are mostly benign they can cause seizures, co-ordination issues as well as balance issues etc. They can also affect the function of other organs and glands in the body, such as the thyroid and the kidneys. Sam will continue to have regular scans for the rest of his life to monitor the movement and any growth of the existing tumour pieces, and to see if any more tumour pieces have started to appear.
It's such a rare disease and so it needs as many funds as possible to continue to provide advice and research into nerve tumours." Tracy
Want your marathon motivation story to be added here? Contact our fundraising team on 020 8439 1234 or email fundraising@nervetumours.org.uk
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