Login
Login

Andy Parker

London Marathon 2025

Donate to Andy and help them hit their goal of £2250!

I’m running the London Marathon 2025 to fight for lung health!

** START INFO: Number 41217. Pink Start, Wave 3, 9.45-9.49am **

Track on the day using TCS London Marathon app or website. 

  

MY STORY: This will be my third London Marathon as a member of #TeamBreathe raising such important funds for a lesser known charity than many we all know well.

As a long term sufferer of asthma, I will be running for Asthma and Lung UK (who were truly awesome in 2023 & 2024, on hand the whole way with training and support).

Our lives have all been touched in recent years by those affected by Covid and the added complications for those with underlying breathing difficulties. Being selected to represent #TeamBreathe again in 2025 is an absolute honour.

1 in 5 of us will develop a lung condition during our lifetime. Asthma + Lung UK is the only UK charity that fights for everyone’s right to breathe.

All donations are so greatly appreciated and will help me through the pain on 27 April 2025.

Thank you so much for reading - Andy

Follow me / DM on Instagram: @andyjp60

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

£2,201 + £314.86 GiftAid

My Goal

£2,250

Select amount to donate

£15
£22
£40
£60
£
Donate

My Achievements

My Updates

Well that wasn’t the plan.

Wednesday 30th Apr
An amazing weekend had a little twist for me this year. In what I can only describe was a furnace to run in I should have dropped my pace. Did I? No 🤦🏻‍♂️. Went through half way on target 1.45hrs. Carried on ok until 21 miles and then the wheels started to fall off one by one. Running on empty, refusing to walk (which would have been quicker!) I managed to get to within 600 metres of the finish and then it was lights out and St John’s time! After 1.5 hours I was able to walk again, but not thinking clearly decided to walk out into the crowd and took the long route to the baggage trucks behind the finish. Walking straight down the Mall would have been the logical decision. Brain was not in logical mode. So officially did not complete as did not cross the line but unofficially took the long route back to finish 🙄. Like 26.2 is not enough. A bit of a life lesson, respect the heat. If I’d dropped pace to 4 hour pace I’d have survived. Roll on next year and hope I get a chance to finish. I have one more marathon in me and then I think that’ll be it, stick to Half’s. Thanks for all your support. London is such a magical event and bar the end loved every minute.

In London and all set!!!

Saturday 26th Apr
Nerves now kicking in! Gonna be a warm one which isn’t ideal but can’t wait to set off. MUST START SLOW! Thanks all for your support ❤️. Tracking on LM app #41217, starting 9.45-9.49 on Sunday.

One week to go!!

Saturday 19th Apr
First proper taper week is complete. Just 19 miles this week including pacing at local 10km race. Heading to London on Friday to collect number and be all set for Sunday. Can’t wait. Already thinking about going for it again next year 😫😱😁. Happy Easter 🐣

Two weeks to go

Sunday 13th Apr
Week 14 - first proper taper week. Also managed to PB at Cranbrook parkrun on Saturday so fitness feels good. 49kms run this week dropping to 30kms next week. Start waves have been announced and I’m number 41217 starting at 9.45am just 10 mins behind the men’s elites! Time to stay out of trouble and avoid illnesses and bugs 🤞🏻

Week 13 / 16 finished in Prague

Sunday 6th Apr
Completed the Prague half marathon on Saturday this week with 16,000 others in my second fastest time. Was proper hot and plenty of cobbles to run on too so pretty chuffed with that. Just 30 miles run this week and the same next as I try to get the heavy training schedule out of my legs and fresh for London. The taper now is in full flow - less distance and more focus on target marathon pace. 👍🏻

4 weeks to go 👍🏻

Sunday 30th Mar
Last long ‘long’ run yesterday, 21.5 miles / 3 hours with 2/3rds of it at marathon target pace. Yes it hurt but it’s going to and thankfully done. With just four weekends before the big one on 27th April time to focus on sleep and diet (both of which I am pants at!). Next weekend is Prague Superhalf marathon (13.1 miles) which will be a race test with 15,000 others. Semi tapering now. Thanks for the support all. Nearly there both running and fundraising 👍🏻👍🏻💪🏻. Full fat coke in image is known as the ‘red ambulance’. It’s what you crave post long run - before the Guinness (well nearly before the Guinness 🤣).

5 weeks to go!

Sunday 23rd Mar
Week 11/16 complete with a 21 mile run yesterday along the River Exe (flat!). Half of run was at race pace which was a challenge when the sun appeared 🥵. Praying it’s chilly on the big day! One more long run left then Prague Half Marathon then it’s time to taper. Count down is on now. Thanks for reading and all your donations. Still some golf rounds up for grabs. See ⬇️

Week 10 done - deload week

Monday 17th Mar
6 runs, 30 miles and a drop of 15 miles from week 9 in this ‘recovery’ week before the two toughest weeks of this 16 week block. Weeks 11 & 12 both over 40 miles but I’ve taken a run out of each to try to put a little less strain on the legs. 6 weeks to go 💪🏻

Week 9 - first of tough month

Tuesday 11th Mar
45 miles completed in week 9 which has been toughest week by far. Sunday long run was 31kms (with over 17kms at target marathon pace). Heavy legs going into week 10 but it’s a deload week so mileage drops to 30 miles before ramping up again in weeks 11&12.

Half way through training block ✅

Sunday 2nd Mar
Week 8/16 done and right in the mix of the big efforts required for success on 27th April. Epsom Salts invaluable now! Weekly highlights: 6 runs, Total 39 miles, Sunday long run 17 miles, Asthma training top worn for first time, 218 miles in 2025 to date, 44 miles planned for next week. 3 more long runs of 19 or more miles planned before tapering in April 👍🏻. ⏳ 8 weeks until London Marathon, 5 weeks until Prague Half Marathon

Golf 4 Balls on offer - charity donation

Thursday 27th Feb
I have been very generously gifted 4 ball vouchers at a few courses in the south west to support fundraising for Asthma & Lung UK. 

Current availability as below. Get in touch if you’re interested. 

Woodbury Park - gone
Dainton Park - gone
Honiton - min. donation £80
Exeter G&CC - min. donation £100
Trethorne - gone

St Austell Voucher - min. donation £150
Covers:
Dartmouth 
Boringdon
Bowood Park, Camelford
Elfordleigh
Lanhydrock
Launceston
Tehidy Park
The Kendleshire
Thurlstone
Trethorne
Trevose!
Truro
Woodbury Park

Charity benefits and you get a great game of golf at good value. Min. donations deliberately set low for mutual benefit. 👍🏻

Week 7 complete. Mileage on the Up

Monday 24th Feb
35 miles this week including speed sessions, a fast parkrun and 13 mile long run. It’s a grind with 10 weeks until London and the miles keep increasing. 39 miles in week 8 ahead with some faster speed sessions and a long run of 17 miles.

Week 6 - deload week complete.

Monday 17th Feb
A drop to 23 miles this week ending with a 70 minute run (12k) along the canal at Macclesfield. Mornings are getting lighter which is awesome as most of my runs are at about 6am in the week. Bring on week 7 - 37 miles including some more brutal pace work.

Week 5/16 ✅ - ended with Exeter Half Marathon

Tuesday 11th Feb
Mileage upping now with 36 miles completed this week, including the first couple of speed sessions (they kill but get heart rate up). Usual Exeter Half on the quay on Sunday to check progress. Ran 2/3rds at target marathon pace and 1/3rd a bit quicker. Chuffed with how it felt finishing at 1hr 42 which was quicker than last year despite holding back a touch. A much needed confidence boost as not quite feeling I’m on the money yet. Next week is deload week so a lighter training schedule to give this wrecked body a rest!!

Week 4 ✅ - over 50kms

Sunday 2nd Feb
Full week of base building complete with long run of 19kms on Saturday. Week 5 includes speed training to improve VO2 by mixing paces. End of week 5 is Exeter Half Marathon (Sun) with plan to run close to marathon pace to check fitness. Over 60km next week 💪🏻

Week 3 / 16 - ✅

Saturday 25th Jan
Managed to get back out on Tuesday this week after 8 days off with illness. Think I’m out of the woods 🤞🏻. Today (Sat) started with completing Woolacombe Dunes parkrun (2nd hardest in the country!). Got home, looked at forecast for Sunday and realised needed to get the 90 minute run in so ran again. A double run but back on track. 41km this week. 53km planned for next week. 2 weeks until Exeter Half Marathon. 💪🏻

Week 2 - Slight set back

Friday 17th Jan
Felt pain in stomach whilst running on Monday and Tuesday this week which is now constant and suspected as Diverticulitis. Now on antibiotics and training paused. Been 3 days without running (struggling to walk normally) so hopeful this is sorted soon to get training back on track.

Week 1 of 16 - We’re Off!

Friday 10th Jan
Part way through week 1 which will be about 22 miles in total. First 4 weeks are about setting a strong base to then build speed and endurance to with a Half Marathon planned on 9th Feb to see where I’m at. Five / six runs per week with 3 / 4 pre work before 6am. This is where the commitment gets tested good and proper!

16 week training block starts tomorrow!

Sunday 5th Jan
Can’t wait to be there again on 27th April. It’s a tough day but these 16 weeks are the toughest. If it all goes well, it’s a victory lap around London. #project330

Training block starts 6 Jan

Wednesday 18th Dec
Full plan has been set and looks like I’ll be pounding out 500 miles before the big day on 27th April. 

Ticking over at the moment but very much focussed on a. hitting an awesome target for Asthma and Lung UK and b. Achieving a PB at London of <3hrs 30 🤞🏻. 

Will post weekly updates on this page from now on so thank you in advance for all your help and support on this journey 👍🏻

Thank you to my Sponsors

£22

Lynne Griffiths

Congratulations Andy, amazing effort and achievement! Xx

£22

Steve Parker

£40

Phil Delaney

All the very best with the marathon. I am sure that you will smash it.

£23.10

Penny Worthy

Good luck Andy! X

£26.25

Dave & Pauline

Best of luck mate, we’ll be cheering you on from afar.

£20

Camilla Witton

Good Luck Andy, all the best for tomorrow 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

£23.10

Jemma Smythe

Good Luck Andy! I’m sure you’ll smash it 👊

£105

Jonathan Prideaux

Well done Andy.

£26.20

Snow White

Best wishes

£10

Sarah O’connor

Good Luck little Andy! x

£22

Richard Arnold

Good luck Andy

£60

Mark Middleton

Good luck Pokey, looking forward to seeing those little legs run.

£22

Steve Parker

Good luck Andy

£30

Timewade Limited

Good luck Andy from all at Timewade!

£26.25

Paul Courtney

£23.10

Penny Worthy

Good luck Andy

£30

Lee Whiteing

Good luck mate, enjoy the post race Guinness (0.0% I assume 😉).

£15.75

Mike Mears

Have a great run in London and well done for raising money for your charity.

£20

Mavis Roberts

£60

Tom O'connor

Well done mate. Keep them little legs going!

£23.10

Gill Wickers

Brilliant effort again Andy!

£20

Wendy Wilson

Good on you, Andy! I know that you will do it!

£23.10

Mark Maynard

Great work Andy hope it goes well! Cheers Mark

£63

Tim Gillingham

Good luck

£31.50

Andrew Ashcroft

Think I’m still up in our squash games…run well Pokes

£26.25

Gill Common

Well done Andy! You’re doing a great job.

£15.75

Caz

Good luck! 🍀

£63

Milly And Jeremy Frankpitt

Good Luck Andy

£21

Paul Waite

Well done Andy - fantastic effort mate 👍🏃‍♂️

£52.50

David Culshaw

Good work Pokey. Enjoy the training

£31.50

Angela Perry

£52.50

Jim Humphrey

Good luck Andy, fingers crossed for a PB 🤞

£50

Miles & Viv

The start line is in sight - and the it's just the odd 26 miles - all the best from us both!

£42

Andrew & Jane

Good luck!

£100

Mark Middleton

Run well Pokey, looking forward to cheering you on.

£21

Michelle Tidball

Fantastic that you’re putting yourself through this again for a good cause. Looking forward to seeing your step count this year!!! Super proud xx

£100

Dan Pegley

£120

Andy Ashcroft

£105

Linda Parker

Go for it Andy!

£250

Calum Finch

£26.25

Phoebe Ellis-robbins

To the best pacer about! See you at the finish line Andy! I might just be a few hours late 😂

£50

Phil Delaney

Just good luck. It is inspirational what you are doing.

£15.75

Will Tidball

Best of luck mate. Just keep running…..

£63

Eddie Kat,

Smash it Andy

£30

Ann Daniels

Three marathons in a row in majorly impressive but doing at your pace is phenomenal. Well done Andy. We’ll be there cheering you along

£5.25

Lucy Webb

🏃🏻💨🤩

£35.50

Anonymous

£137

Anonymous

^