Rachel Hajbok

🏃‍♀️ London Marathon 2027 – This one’s for every breath. 💜

In 2027, I’ll be standing on the start line of the London Marathon, running for Asthma + Lung UK.

This isn’t just a marathon for me. It’s deeply personal.

In April 2025, I had to say goodbye to my dad after he lost his battle with COPD. Watching someone you love slowly lose the ability to do something most of us take for granted—simply breathing—is heartbreaking. COPD stole so much from him. It stole his independence, his strength, and so many of the moments he should have been able to enjoy. But it never took away the person he was.

Every training run, every early morning alarm, every aching muscle, and every mile I complete will be for him. For the memories we shared, for the conversations we never got to finish, for the moments he’ll never get to see, and for every breath he fought so hard for.

I’ve also lived with asthma for as long as I can remember. As a child, it controlled so much of my life. There were days when something as simple as breathing became frightening. Thankfully, it’s now well managed, but asthma never truly goes away. It’s something I’ll carry with me forever, and I know just how quickly things can change.

I’m also running for everyone living with a lung condition. Because the reality is heartbreaking: 1 in 5 people will develop a lung condition during their lifetime.Behind that statistic are millions of people who know what it’s like to struggle for breath, face uncertainty, and fight battles that so often go unseen.

No one should have to face that alone.

💜 Every donation, no matter how big or small, helps fund life-changing research, improve care, and support people living with asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and many other lung conditions.

If you’d like to support my journey, I’d be incredibly grateful.

Over the coming months, I’ll be sharing everything on my social media platforms. The victories, the setbacks, the tears, the laughs, and the miles—as I work towards that finish line.

To everyone who donates, shares my journey, or simply believes in me… thank you.

You’re not just helping me cross a finish line.

You’re helping give people hope.

For everyone fighting for their next breath.

Every mile. Every breath. Every step. 💜