**Remarkable Stories of Courage and Dedication Drive Welsh Runners at the London Marathon**
The London Marathon stands as one of the most anticipated and uplifting events on the British sporting calendar. With over 56,000 runners expected to traverse the iconic 26.2-mile (42.2 km) route this year, the 2025 edition promises not only fierce competition among elite athletes and champions but also a parade of extraordinary personal stories from everyday participants. Among them, runners from Wales are setting out, spurred on by deeply personal motivations that showcase the power of courage, gratitude, and enduring love.
Among the throng of determined competitors is Marielle Wilkinson, a 29-year-old Swansea native now living in Winchester, who is running in memory of her best friend, Alex Calwell. Marielle and Alex forged their friendship while studying journalism at Cardiff University. Alex endured a long battle with a rare immune disorder, requiring both a liver and bone marrow transplant, as well as chemotherapy. Tragically, Alex passed away in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, his liver transplant ultimately failing him.
Reflecting on her friend’s ordeal, Marielle shares, “Not many people knew, but Alex went through absolute hell with his health.” She is now running as a member of the Anthony Nolan team, a charity that supported Alex during and after his medical procedures. Alex himself raised over £4,000 for the organisation before his death, and Marielle is striving to match and eventually surpass that sum. “The best way I can thank them is by raising more money and awareness,” she explains, particularly highlighting the pressing need for young men and those from ethnic minorities to join the stem cell register.
But Marielle’s motivation is not just about numbers or goals. She finds purpose in tribute: “I always say I am running a marathon for a boy who couldn’t even run a bath.” Her schedule has included intense training sessions across the UK and even while working abroad, demonstrating remarkable dedication and resilience.
For 35-year-old Lee Nicholson, the marathon marks the next chapter in a story of life-saving heroism. During a routine Sunday run last year, Lee encountered fellow runner Darran Hughes, who suddenly collapsed. Drawing on his first aid training, Lee immediately called emergency services and performed CPR for 15 minutes until help arrived, saving Darran’s life. The incident was a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness: “The adrenaline was nothing like I had ever experienced—his life was literally in my hands,” Lee recalls.
Now, Lee is running to raise funds for Air Ambulances UK and promoting CPR training within the running community. “It’s a relatively simple skill, but those minutes can save a life,” he urges. His fundraising efforts have been bolstered by events such as pub quizzes and a bingo night, and he continues to advocate for runners to always carry a phone and inform others of their routes.
For other Welsh participants, the motivation runs deeply personal as well. James Bates of Swansea, for instance, is lacing up for Cerebral Palsy Cymru, a charity that provided essential support when his young daughter, Rose, faced serious health challenges as a newborn. James admits he has “never been a fan of running,” but hopes his efforts will inspire donations for the smaller, often overlooked charitable causes that provide life-changing assistance to families like his own.
Meanwhile, 47-year-old Karina Williams faces the marathon after triumphing over breast cancer—a diagnosis she received in the same clinical setting as her mother nearly two decades prior. With her mother’s memory fuelling each stride, Karina and her friend Louise have raised over £8,300 for Cancer Research Wales. She dedicates each marathon mile to friends, family, and those touched by cancer, a gesture that has resonated so strongly that she’s running extra miles to accommodate the outpouring of support.
These stories of loss, recovery, and unwavering determination encapsulate what the London Marathon has become: not merely a contest of physical endurance, but a moving platform for human connection and generosity. As elite runners vie for records and glory, it is the quieter, personal battles fought by participants like Marielle, Lee, James, and Karina that truly define the spirit of this world-renowned event.
In the end, the London Marathon is as much about community and remembrance as it is about competition. The Welsh runners, with their remarkable tales of bravery and love, remind us all both of the challenges we face and the bonds that carry us through. Their stories urge us to reflect on how the simple act of running can inspire hope, support vital causes, and keep cherished memories alive—one step, one donation, and one heartfelt tribute at a time.