With both the TCS London and the Adidas Manchester Marathons happening today, we’d like to wish all our runners the very best for their extraordinary challenge. Dedicated supporters from near and far, including Ireland, the United States, Canada and Dubai, have endured brutal training over weeks and months, with the target of crossing the finish line in the fight to find a brain tumour cure.
You all have your own personal, heart-breaking brain tumour stories inspiring you to commit to covering 26.2 miles for the cause. With 100 Charity supporters lacing up your trainers for the London and 25 for the Manchester Marathon, your epic efforts could lead to an awesome sum of nearly £500,000 being raised, bringing hope to the thousands of patients diagnosed with brain tumours each year.
Among those running to support our vital work is the Bicker-Caarten family, who lost beloved husband and dad, David, aged 58, to a brain tumour in October 2024, just eight days after a biopsy confirmed he had end-stage glioblastoma. His wife Clare and three adult children, Paige, Mary and Guy (pictured below with David, left), are all taking part and have already raised almost £30,000.
Clare said: “It’s going to be gruelling. I’ve never run in my life, but it’s given me a plan and something to work towards.
“Glioblastoma is the deadliest type of brain cancer anyone can get – there needs to be more funding to find a cure for it.”
Running the Manchester Marathon is Tom Beresford Smart, who lost his brother Josh, the inspiration for our Fundraising Group Team Joshua, to a diffuse midline glioma (often known as a DIPG). He is participating along with his cousin Imogen, who also lost her grandfather, and Imogen’s boyfriend Nathan, who lost his sister – all to brain tumours.
Tom (pictured below left with brothers Matt, centre, and Josh, far right) said: “I’m running in memory of Josh, who was just 18 when he died in 2021. I’ve never run a marathon before, but my motivation is to raise awareness. Josh suffered terrible side effects because of his radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment. On top of that, it was horrendous witnessing what the brain tumour did to Josh physically in the last six months of his life.
“It’s only through research that we can find kinder treatments that will allow people to live longer and with better quality of life, let alone find a cure.”
An enormous thank you to everyone running their marathon today. We’ll be cheering you every step of the way.
If you would like to take on this unforgettable event next year on Sunday 26th April, now’s your opportunity to be in with the chance of running the 2026 London Marathon, as the ballot is now open. Enter here.
The ballot will close on Friday 2nd May. If you’re lucky enough to secure a place, join our #FightingForce team and run for vital research.
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