Stuart’s 2026 London Marathon: Running for Breath, Legacy, and Probably Snacks
Well… I’ve gone and done it. I’ve signed up for the 2026 London Marathon: 26.2 miles of sweat, sore knees, and questionable life choices, all in support of an incredible cause: Lung & Asthma UK.
I’m aiming to raise £2,500, and I need your help to get there.
This run means more to me than just a medal or a finish line.
I’m running for those who can’t, for everyone who wakes up each day struggling to take a full breath. For the parents who stay up at night listening for the sound of their child’s breathing. For the millions whose lungs make even the simplest things a walk, a laugh, a life harder than they should be.
Lung & Asthma UK is there for them. They fund life-saving research, support patients and families, and fight for cleaner air and better care. Every single pound raised goes towards helping people simply breathe easier.
And that’s a cause worth every mile.
But this isn’t just about charity; it’s about legacy.
I’m proudly carrying the baton from Vic Woodley, who’s already run three marathons for this amazing charity. This year, I’m taking up the torch for the Woodley family — even if I’m a little less graceful and a lot more reliant on snacks.
Most importantly, I’m doing this in honour of my dad, who ran in the very first London Marathon. Following in his footsteps (hopefully with fewer blisters) is something I’ve wanted to do for years. 2026 is the year I finally make it happen for him, for those who can’t run, and for everyone who deserves the simple joy of taking a deep breath.
So whether you can spare the price of a coffee or a pair of blister plasters, every single donation makes a difference.
Let’s raise money. Let’s raise awareness. And let’s see if I can make it to the finish line with my dignity (and hamstrings) intact.
Thank you from the bottom of my lungs. ❤️
Now, if you’ll excuse me… I should probably go for a run.
#LondonMarathon2026 #RunningForLegacy #BreathByBreath #PrayForMyNipples
My Updates
Final run of the 16-week training plan… DONE ✅
Friday 24th Apr
Wow… this is getting real! We’re officially into Spring Marathon month 🎉
Tuesday 7th Apr
Brighton kicks things off this weekend, followed by Manchester and then… LONDON!
This weekend marked a huge milestone for me, the last long run on the training plan. The goal was 20–22 miles or 3 hours 30 minutes, and I finished strong with 22 miles (35.4km) in 3 hours 14 minutes.
I won’t sugar-coat it; this was the toughest run I’ve done mentally. I hit the wall around mile 15 and it was a real emotional rollercoaster all the way to mile 21. But I kept going, got it done, and I’m so glad that battle happened in training rather than on race day!
All that pushing through and mental grit will (hopefully!) pay off when I hit that victory lap in 19 days 🏁
From here on out, it’s all about tapering, and honestly… FINALLY 😄
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me already. If you’re able to donate £1–£10, it would genuinely mean the world. Every single pound helps Asthma & Lung UK support people to simply breathe easier 💙
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WOW I’m officially running the London Marathon THIS MONTH! 🏃♀️🔥
Wednesday 1st Apr
With just 3 weeks to go, I ticked off my longest run so far last weekend and smashed it.
The goal was 18 miles or 3 hours on my feet… I ended up running 19 miles (30.5km) in 2hrs 48mins 💪
That run gave me the confidence boost I really needed, especially training with the elevation here, which are a completely different beast compared to London!
This weekend is the final big test:
👉 20–22 miles or 3.5 hours on my feet, then it’s on to the VICTORY LAP 🥇
I’ll keep you posted… wish me luck!
Thank you so much to everyone who’s supported me already. If you’re able to donate £1–£10, it would genuinely mean the world — every single pound helps Lung & Asthma UK support people to simply breathe easier 💙
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Nothing but wind and rain
Monday 2nd Mar
This week’s been a bit of a grind between the weather and life in general; every run has meant gearing up in full wet‑weather kit this last week and before.
But I had a great Zoom call with the team going over the next six weeks of training, which they call the “magic weeks". This is where the long runs and consistency really start to matter as we build toward marathon week/day.
I’ve also started testing my nutrition on these longer runs. My first attempt was a bit off; I definitely didn’t take in enough, but that’s exactly why we’re experimenting now. Plenty of time to fine‑tune everything before the big day.
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Half way point 8 weeks to go!
Monday 23rd FebIt’s been a little while since my last update, so I wanted to share how things are going as I head into week 8 — the halfway point!
Training for a marathon is never easy, but this year has thrown everything at me. With more than 40+ days of nonstop rain, every run has started the same way: cold, soaked, and wondering why on earth I signed up for this… and every run has ended the same way too: grateful, proud, and remembering exactly why I’m doing it.
Since January, I’ve run 140 miles, nearly 20 hours of pushing through wind, rain, and tired legs.
Your support really does keep me going, hopefully the donations bring some dry, sunny weather with them too!
Thanks so much for backing me. Every mile (and puddle!) is worth it.
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Stuart’s 2026 London Marathon: Running for Breath, Legacy, and Probably Snacks
Wednesday 5th Nov
I’m aiming to raise £2,500, and I need your help to get there.
This run means more to me than just a medal or a finish line.
I’m running for those who can’t, for everyone who wakes up each day struggling to take a full breath. For the parents who stay up at night listening for the sound of their child’s breathing. For the millions whose lungs make even the simplest things a walk, a laugh, a life harder than they should be.
Lung & Asthma UK is there for them. They fund life-saving research, support patients and families, and fight for cleaner air and better care. Every single pound raised goes towards helping people simply breathe easier.
And that’s a cause worth every mile.
But this isn’t just about charity; it’s about legacy.
I’m proudly carrying the baton from Vic Woodley, who’s already run three marathons for this amazing charity. This year, I’m taking up the torch for the Woodley family — even if I’m a little less graceful and a lot more reliant on snacks.
Most importantly, I’m doing this in honour of my dad, who ran in the very first London Marathon. Following in his footsteps (hopefully with fewer blisters) is something I’ve wanted to do for years. 2026 is the year I finally make it happen for him, for those who can’t run, and for everyone who deserves the simple joy of taking a deep breath.
So whether you can spare the price of a coffee or a pair of blister plasters, every single donation makes a difference.
Let’s raise money. Let’s raise awareness. And let’s see if I can make it to the finish line with my dignity (and hamstrings) intact.
Thank you from the bottom of my lungs. ❤️
Now, if you’ll excuse me… I should probably go for a run.
#LondonMarathon2026 #RunningForLegacy #BreathByBreath #PrayForMyNipples Share
Thank you to my Sponsors
£52.50
Barry Colley
£10.50
Jamie
Good luck mate
£20
Tom, Jacinta And Oisín
Good luck, Stu!
£20
Di Carter
Good luck from a friend of Vic's 😊
£25.20
Hayden Andrews
Good luck! Hope it all goes well
£10
D Twelvetree
Have a great day as you will smash it.
£10
Shamir Kishan
Good luck Stuart! You're going to smash it!
£10.50
Harvey Searle
Good luck stew
£21
Angela Ullah
Pretty sure you will more than smash it! I'll be cheering you on (probs with a G&T)
£20
Ally Tolhurst
Go Stu! I am sure you will smash it! My advice is to just enjoy every high and low ( hopefully not too many if any ) what a fantastic day and achievement it will be! Shall be thinking of you on Sunday and cheering you on 🙌
£26.25
Mark & Toni
Good luck Stu, not that you need it you’re going to smash it!
£20
Sam Robinson
Good luck Stu! Lots of love Sam and Gary (Lovers - but don’t tell Ria)
£10.50
Danielle Yates
£15.75
A&a Bunker
Have a great run, enjoy the day. Good luck Stu
£15.75
Anonymous
Good luck Stu! Hope you have a great day.
£25
Julie Bampton
Good Luck - great cause - hope you smash it xx
£10
Kayleigh Afford
You got this Stu 💪
£100
Frederick Moore
Proud of you.
£10
Sayjal
Best of luck, Stuart!
£10
Jodie Spray
Huge achievement Stuart and for a great cause, well done! Go smash it 👏🏽
£25.20
Julie Barnes Maurer
You got this Stuart!!!
£10.50
Pommy Padum
Good luck!
£20
Jeff Y
You will smash it Stu Dog
£15
Antony
Good luck Stu!
£10.50
Elliot
£10
Savannah Young
Good luck Stu! 🫡🏃♀️ You’ve got this!
£15.75
Jeremy
Good luck 🏃♂️
£25.20
Ruth Doyle
Best of luck Stuart 🙏
£15.75
Dana And Steven Milne
Good look Stu. Just keep going :-)
£10
Jared Abrams
Good luck Stuart you got this 💪🏽
£10
Julie Peach
Good luck Stu!!! You’ll be back to burpees in no time!
£26.20
Garry Burnell
Run Bergman Run! Hope you make it in record time! £1 for every mile & a very worthy cause well done squire
£5
Kasia Forbes
Good luck!
£10
Vanessa Sherriff
Good Luck Stu 💪🏃🏻🏅
£15
Jamie Henry-venson
Good Luck Stu
£21
Darsh
Good luck Stu!
£20
Laura
Crush it Stu!! You’re gonna do FAB!! 🫶🏻
£10.50
Jen Hofmann
Good luck Stu! You’ve got this!🙌🏻
£10
Dan Wright
Good luck Stu!
£10.50
Graham Hansford
Good Luck!
£15.75
Amy Redgwell
Go on Stu 🥳
£50
Oliver Agency
Best of luck from all at OLIVER
£10.50
Sophie Moss
Good Luck Stu!!
£20
Anonymous
£15
Elle Mecrow
Smash it Stuart!
£10.50
Miles Mcbean
£10
Joel Butt
£10
Olly Smee
£24
Nikki Driscoll
£10
Laurence Champ
Best of luck, Stu!
£25
James Kok
best of luck
£20
Marianne
Good Luck Stu
£10
Sam Cressy
Good luck uncle Stu!
£30
Jill And Kris
Good luck Stu! We know you will smash it!
£15.75
Joe Savin
Good luck, you and your hamstring will smash it! Hopefully you will keep both of them 😂. Just think it’s better than running round the gym 😂.
£10
Rose Spooner
A great cause - good luck & enjoy!
£50
Andrew Brown
Let’s go! 👊
£15
Sarah Whittaker
£10.50
Laura Morgan
Go smash it Stu!!!
£25.20
Suzanne Noiret-cressy
Good luck with the training 💪 we hope it all goes well 🏃 love from the N-C’s xxx
£10
Yasmin C
Good luck Stu!!
£15.75
Darren Twelvetree
Good luck for a great cause.
£15.75
Erin
Good luck Uncle Stu! 🏃
£26.25
Carole And Paul
Go! Go! Go!
£26.20
Vic
So proud of you, you got this and with you every step of the way!
£25.20
Stuart Cressy
Let's go!! :)
Good luck mate . Go and smash it 👍🏻👍🏻