The 2026 TCS London Marathon was the biggest on record with 59,830 runners taking part. Although participation numbers continue to climb each year, one thing never changes: the sound of the city lifting thousands of runners from the start line to the finish on The Mall. For Team ABC, it was the culmination of months of training to fund research into secondary spread breast cancer.
Runners often talk about the crowds and how the atmosphere carries them when the miles start to bite. We have gathered below just a few of the experiences our runners have kindly shared from their special day:
“Running the London Marathon was the hardest but most amazing thing I’ve ever done,” said Sam Ive. “I’d heard so much about the crowds beforehand, but nothing compares to experiencing it. People shouting your name, music pumping, and an atmosphere that carries you through even when it gets tough.” From the energy at Cutty Sark to the surge across Tower Bridge, those moments become memories that last long after the medal is packed away.
For many in the Against Breast Cancer team, the motivation is deeply personal. Kate Mulraney ran in memory of her mum, who she lost when she was 12.
“I miss her every day, and she continues to shape so much of who I am,” she said. “Running felt like a way to honour her while supporting a cause that means a lot to me.” After months of training, race day brought it all into focus. “Crossing the finish line was emotional. I’m also incredibly proud to have raised well over £3,000 for Against Breast Cancer, helping to support vital research and those affected.”
Fundraising lies at the heart of the London Marathon, and many runners draw inspiration from someone close to them. Danielle Williams raised over £8,000 after her mum received a stage 3 invasive breast cancer diagnosis in 2021.
“If I ever wanted to tackle the London Marathon, it had to be for a charity that championed research into breast cancer and increasing survival after diagnosis,” she said. For Olivia Wood, the decision was rooted in family and the wider community. Breast cancer “has affected everyone,” she explained, sharing that her little sister is now “all clear again for the second year,” while others around her are still undergoing treatment.
Lucy Dunbar, who raised over £3,000, said ABC is “so close to mine and my family’s hearts” and that it felt brilliant to contribute “in a small way to their important cause.”
Of course, a marathon is no easy feat. Sam’s toughest moment came late on the course when an Achilles flare-up forced him to dig deep. “At that point, I had to remind myself why I was there, running in memory of my mum,” he said. “That perspective kept me moving when the pain set in, because I knew it was only temporary.”
For Jordan Christmas, the overwhelming feeling was gratitude. “So much love and humanity everywhere, I smiled from start to finish. I’m so grateful to be able to raise so much money for ABC in honour of all the women who have suffered in my family.”
These stories show what this day is all about: turning personal challenges into shared progress. Whether running in honour of a loved one, marking a recovery, or standing together with those going through treatment, every step moves research forward and supports those affected by breast cancer.
We are incredibly proud and grateful to our 2026 ABC London Marathon team. Together, they have contributed over £45,000 towards life-saving research into the detection, prevention and treatment of secondary breast cancer.
If you’re thinking about joining Team ABC for 2027, fill out our application form now.