Login
Login

Ying Chen

London Marathon 2026

Donate to Ying and help them hit their goal of £2500!

I’m running the London Marathon 2026 to fight for lung health!

Every minute, someone in the UK is diagnosed with a lung condition. I want to make a difference. I'm running the London Marathon 2026 for Asthma + Lung UK, the only UK charity that fights for everyone’s right to breathe. Every pound I'm able to raise will take us a step closer to a world where everyone has healthy lungs.

Just £22 allows one of Asthma + Lung UK's nurses to answer a call on the Helpline, offering potentially lifesaving advice. I'd be very grateful for any donations you could make!

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

£1,373 + £0 GiftAid

My Goal

£2,500

Select amount to donate

£15
£24
£49
£60
£
Donate

All payments are secure & encrypted

My Achievements

My Updates

First Race & First PR of 2026!

Sunday 18th Jan
Got my first PR in 2026 running the Polar Opposite Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta on January 3, 2026! The weather ws so much better than last year. I started with the In-Training group (after the last wave). It was a bit challenging weaving through the slower runners and walkers from behind Wave E, but it also prevented me from going too fast in the beginning. The long hill at Mile 4.5 was tough, but overal I was strong and kept pushing through. I shaved 1m14s off the Polar Opposite Peachtree 2025, and 4 seconds off Peachtree 2025. My marathon training won't start unilt Jan 19. I still ran backwards on Peachtree with the In-Training just to keep moving. The atmosphere, the support, the comaraderie, were so precious!

Marathon #3: Honolulu Marathon in the Books

Sunday 18th Jan
I finished the Honolulu Marathon on December 14, 2025. It was such a beautiful course and wonderful experience! The weather was perfect for me (not the case for most participants ). I was lucky to keep myself dry while there was pouring rain before the Start, and after my finish. The first half went very well, and I kept a nice and steady pace. I was thinking maybe I could PR. My left glute started to hurt after Mile 13, and got worse so I had to stop at Mile 16 to stretch. After Mile 20, right knee also felt tender. I had to walk a lot after Mile 22. The climb of Diamond Head at Mile 24 was so miserable. I ended up limping my way to the finish. It wasn't a pretty finish, but I finished. I suspect the reason being my new Adidas Pro 4 shoes. I only put 10 miles in them before the race. They were great for the first half to drive me forward, but my glutes/legs were probably still not strong enough for them. Lesson learnt! I really need to spend moretime on strength training during the next training cycle. Next challenge: 2026 London Marathon!

Crushed my Sub-2 at Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon!

Tuesday 2nd Dec
Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon was a good wrap of the 2025 Triple Peach Series in Atlanta. Not only did I PRed all 3 races (10K, 10 Miler and Half Marathon), I also got that sweet SUB-2 for the Half Marathon! Training's been tough with so many travels. I'm glad I still managed it. All I need is a little dedication, consistency, confidence, and a wonderful running community!

10K PB at 2025 Peachtree Road Race

Monday 7th Jul
I ran the Peachtree Road Race, the world’s largest 10K race, on 4th of July in Atlanta. This is my 5th Peachtree, and I finished in 00:54:23 with a huge PB! 

Training hasn't been super consistent since my recovery from Covid, due to work and family commitment, lots of traveling, and longer recovery time needed after each run. I just keep pushing myself. Although I can only go out for my training run 3-4 times a week (sometimes only once a week), I try to treat every run seriously. Every mile counts! 

I'm lucky to be able to recover from Long Covid and keep pursuing my passion for running. 1 in 5 of us will have a lung condition during our lifetime. Too many of us will  know what it's like to struggle to breathe. 

Asthma + Lung UK's vision is for a world where everyone has healthy lungs. From research and campaigning to advice and support, they are the UK's leading lung charity. They couldn't continue to do this without the supporters like you. Any amount you contribute will make a difference for those fighting to breathe! Every pound counts! 


My Story

Monday 30th Jun
I'm running the London Marathon in April 2026 – my 4th marathon, and my 3rd Abbott Major. In keeping with the spirit of the event, I will support a cause - Asthma & Lung UK. My personal battle with lung issues makes me especially proud and excited to do so. 

I got Covid in February 2023 – just 2 weeks before my planned first marathon. I was so disappointed as I had trained so hard and I was at my peak performance. Shortness of breath, lightheadedness and chest tightness lingered for the rest of the year. Cardiologists and pulmonologists blamed it all on “Long Covid” - the catch-all name for a mysterious malady with no proven remedy.  Out of an abundance of caution, they told me to stop running.

A year later, during a trip to China, Dr. Zhang, a pulmonologist friend, did a thorough check up on me. The results were encouraging. She said: “Start running but take it slowly. You’ll be fine.” Magical words for someone dying to run!

It was hard to start all over, but I kept going. In October 2024, supported by Arun’s impeccable logistics and cheered on by family and friends, I ran my first marathon in Chicago in 4 hours 22 minutes. It was such a thrilling experience! In March 2025, I ran the Tokyo Marathon in 4 hours 21 minutes 36 seconds. December 2025 will be Honolulu and London in April 2026. In between, I’ll run many smaller races we have here in Atlanta.

I fought Long Covid and won.

There are so many out there that are battling asthma and all kinds of lung issues. I would love to run for them! Please take a moment to read my fundraising page for Asthma & Lung UK. Any amount you contribute will make a difference for those fighting to breathe!

Thank you for your support!

Thank you to my Sponsors

£52.50

Michelle Baker

£25.20

Kathleen Dirosato

Have a great race!!

£21

David Bloomquist

£27.30

Maria

Happy Birthday, friend! 🎉🙌🏽❤️

£71.40

Jody Hudmon

Happy Birthday, Jenny! Excited for you and all your running adventures this year!

£100

Aris & Marla

Dear Jenny, Happy 50th Birthday! Life is a beautiful Marathon. Aris & Marla

£51.45

Colleen Moore

Go get it!!!

£51.45

Shaun Baker

£56.90

Srinivas Jalla

PR @ Polar Opposite? Check! Can't wait to see you crush it across the pond. Incredibly proud of you, Jenny!!

£80

Margarette Minor

Inspiring! One foot in front of the other! Amazing!

£24

Margaret Mary Oneill

£38.85

Judith Noble-wang

You got this, Jenny!!!

£42

Nicole Tripp

£210

Margaret Cole

£42

Bronwyn Gaskins

You go girl!!!!💕

£105

Charlotte’s Grace

Good luck Jenny!!

£63

Anonymous

£23.10

May Lee Gong

YAY, Jenny!!! You manifested this! Go crush London!

£105

Jin Xu

Well done Jenny, extremely proud of you! Be my guest when you come to London next April and I shall be cheering for you at the London Marathon!

£100

Chenxi Jin

班长加油！

£23.10

Edyta Reid

Good luck, Jenny! You will crush it!

£60

Ying Chen

^