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We're running the London Marathon 2027 to fight for lung health!
London Marathon 2027 – For Dad, For Breath, For Us ❤️
Here we go again… London Marathon 2027.
In April 2027, we’ll be standing on that start line together, taking on 26.2 miles for Asthma + Lung UK and this one means more than any before.
For me (Vic), this will be my fourth London Marathon. It’s been three years since I last crossed the finish line in April 2024, but the reason I run has never changed.
My Dad, William Woodley, is my why
2027 marks five years since we lost him. Five years of missing his laugh, his support, and the way he made everything feel okay. He would have been my biggest cheerleader, the one shouting the loudest from the sidelines and every time I run, I carry him with me.
Every mile is for him. Every step is because of him.
This time, I’m not doing it alone.
Stuart is back on the start line with me, with unfinished business.
Last year, he showed incredible strength and determination, pushing himself all the way to mile 18 before having to walk the rest home, but still refusing to give up. He crossed that finish line for my Dad, for our family, for the charity and for all the people who donated to this great charity, that says everything about the heart behind this challenge.
But 2027 is about coming back stronger, about finishing what he started and about proving to ourselves what we’re capable of.
Together, this run is more than a race:
· It’s a tribute to a much-loved Dad, 5 years on
· It’s a comeback after setbacks and challenges
· It’s a continuation of a journey that started years ago
· It’s awareness of lung conditions
· It’s for everyone who struggles to breathe
· And it’s a reminder that even through loss, we keep moving forward
We’re running for Asthma + Lung UK, for those who struggle for every breath, for families living with lung conditions, and for a future where no one has to fight just to breathe.
Because
the truth is simple:
Breathing shouldn’t be something anyone has to think about.
So we’ll show up.
We’ll put one foot in front of the other.
We’ll push through the hard miles.
And this time, we run it all the way.
If you’re able to support us, thank you. Every donation makes a real difference, helping fund research, support families, and bring hope to those who need it most.
Dad will be with us every step of the way. Always. ❤️
Every minute, someone in the UK is diagnosed with a lung condition. We want to make a difference.
We’re running the London Marathon 2027 for Asthma + Lung UK, the only UK charity that fights for everyone’s right to breathe. Every pound we're able to raise will take us a step closer to a world where everyone has healthy lungs.
Just
£24 can support a researcher at the start of their career to carry out an hour
of lung health research to ensure we attract and keep the best scientific minds
to focus on lung disease.
Any support would be amazing in my fight for lung health!
My Updates
🏃♂️ Training Update: September 2026
Wednesday 30th SepWell, another month down and we're pleased to report that we're both still speaking to each other, neither of us has accidentally signed up for an ultra-marathon, and the trainers haven't been launched into a hedge... yet.
Stu's Progress
After months of patiently waiting, recovering, stretching, strengthening, and being told to "take it easy", Stu has finally been given the green light to put both feet firmly into full marathon training.
September saw him cover 56.8 miles, taking his total since returning to running in August to 77.8 miles.
The injury appears to be behaving itself, confidence is growing, and he's now focusing on building mileage rather than simply celebrating the fact he can run without resembling a shopping trolley with a wonky wheel.
Vic's Progress
Meanwhile, I continue my ongoing battle against the biggest obstacle in marathon training...
My own head.
The legs are generally willing, but the brain still occasionally wakes up and asks, "Surely we've done enough marathons now?"
Despite the daily negotiations, September saw me cover 65.5 miles, taking my total since July to 153.3 miles.
The retirement is well and truly over. Unfortunately.
Current Training Status
We're both currently:
✅ Running three times a week
✅
Surviving CrossFit twice a week
✅
Following our Coopah training plans
✅
Making good use of the Coopah mobility sessions
✅
Constantly checking what run is scheduled next and immediately regretting it
By approximately 8pm every Saturday night, we're both completely shattered and have all the energy levels of two pensioners who've accidentally stayed up past their bedtime.
Luckily, we've been enjoying the sunshine while it lasts, although given this is marathon training in the UK, we're fully aware that it won't be long before we're clocking up miles in horizontal rain, questionable winds, and darkness that seems to arrive sometime after lunch.
For now though, things are progressing well. We're sticking to the plan, staying injury free, and slowly building towards April 2027.
Thank you again to everyone who has supported us so far. Your donations and encouragement genuinely help keep us going, especially when the alarm goes off for an early morning run and we're questioning every decision that led us to this point.
Until next month's update...
Current marathon status:
🏃♂️
231.1 combined miles completed
💪
Two tired runners
☀️
One unexpected tan
😴
Very early Saturday nights
❤️
One amazing cause worth every mile
Thanks for supporting us!
Vic & Stu ❤️🏃♂️🏃♂️
Current marathon status: one recovering athlete, one unretired athlete, two ambitious training plans, and absolutely no idea what we've let ourselves in for 😄
Tuesday 1st Sep
Training Update: Operation "What Have We Signed Up For?"
Since receiving the exciting (and slightly concerning) news in July 2026 that we'd secured places for the 2027 London Marathon with Asthma + Lung UK, we thought it was time to provide a training update.
The short version? We're both running again. The longer version? Well...
Stu's Road to Recovery
As many of you know, Stu's 2026 marathon ended with an injury that rather rudely interrupted his plans of becoming London's next elite athlete. Since then, he's been patiently waiting for the all-clear to start running again.
Progress has been steady rather than speedy, but the important thing is the trainers are back on, the step count is increasing, and treatment is still ongoing.
In August, Stu finally got the green light to start running again. Coincidentally, this happened while we were on holiday. Faced with the difficult challenge of beginning marathon training in a warm climate with a swimming pool, sun lounger and cold drinks readily available, he bravely rose to the occasion.
So far, he's clocked up 21 miles, which is roughly 21 more than he managed during his recovery period. A solid start and, most importantly, no trainer thefts have been reported yet.
Vic's Return from Retirement
Meanwhile, I officially came out of marathon retirement.
Panic stations have already begun.
July saw me cover 45.1 miles, followed by 42.7 miles in August. I've taken a sensible approach, starting with Couch to 5K before moving onto the Coopah training plan. The legs are slowly remembering what they're supposed to do and, for now at least, seem willing to cooperate.
There have already been moments where I've questioned why signing up again seemed like a good idea, but fortunately those thoughts are usually drowned out by memories of race day and the support we receive.
The Plan
We're both now following Coopah's marathon training plans all the way through to April 2027.
The goal is simple:
✅ Stay injury free
✅
Stick to the training plan
✅
Reach the start line in one piece
✅
Raise as much money as possible for Asthma + Lung UK
The reality will probably involve sore legs, questionable weather, far too much Lycra, and regular reminders that "it seemed like a good idea at the time."
But every mile is for a fantastic cause, and for me personally, every mile is also for Dad. We'll carry his memory with us throughout this journey, just as we will on marathon day itself.
Thank you to everyone who has already supported us. Your donations, messages and encouragement genuinely make a difference, especially on those days when getting out for a run feels far less appealing than sitting on the sofa.
We'll keep you updated on our progress, assuming neither of us accidentally signs up for another marathon in the meantime.
❤️ Vic & Stu 🏃♂️🏃♂️
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Thank you to my Sponsors
£15.75
Wendy Rogers
£10.50
Amy Teasdale
Let’s goooo!! You’ll smash it guys 🏃♀️
£5
Sam Shaw
Good luck. You’ve got this
£25.20
Miles
Great cause! Good luck both :) 'Step into Sept'
£10.50
Vic Woodley
Step into Sept
£10.50
Angela Creech
£25
Erin Cressy
Good luck Stu & Vic ❤️
£10
Ava Woodley
£10
Chloe Cressy
£20
Avril Rennie
Go smash it! Good luck 🏃♀️
£20
Jamie Henry-venson
Best of luck both! Jamie + Rafa
£40
Pam Woodley
So proud of you both!! Dad will be with you every step of the way!! Love Mum xxx
£22.05
Vic Woodley
We have got this!!
£20.50
Great cause and good luck with the Marathon