A young girl in a hat and a woman wearing a Momentum Children's Charity running vest pose at The London Marathon

Preparing for a marathon requires months of discipline and sacrifice, training through wintry weather and dark mornings and evenings. Our marathon runners showed strength, grit, and determination in bucket loads, and we couldn’t be prouder of what they have achieved.

To date, our London Marathon runners have raised more than £60,000 with donations still coming in – incredible! Thank you to every single person who has sponsored our runners.

Starting in Greenwich, runners passed some of London’s most famous landmarks, including Tower Bridge, the Cutty Sark, the London Eye, and Big Ben.

Every one of our amazing runners took on this challenge for their own personal reasons, but for many, Momentum is a charity that holds a special place in their hearts.

Claire shares what it meant to her to run for Momentum:

“When our daughter, Daisy, 6, was a baby, she was diagnosed with Autoimmune Neutropenia, we had no idea what the future would look like.  Her condition meant that the immune system was attacking and destroying the white blood cells which fight bacterial infections.

We first came across Momentum in Epsom Hospital – they had decorated the wards making them fun for children. It was there that my husband, Paul, met Diana, our Family Support Worker from Momentum.

Over a three-year period, Daisy was admitted to hospital 14 times and spent over 30 nights there. Throughout it all, Momentum supported us. Diana was invaluable – we could talk through complex medical information but also share how everything was affecting us emotionally.

At first, we didn’t realise how much we would come to rely on Momentum. But as time went on, especially during the hardest periods, their support became essential. As parents, trying to stay even slightly sane while facing the uncertainty, exhaustion, and financial strain of a seriously ill child is incredibly challenging. Momentum helped carry us through that.  

The London Marathon was a tough, but incredible experience. The sense of camaraderie from the supporters and fellow runners really kept me going, all of us willing each other to get to the finish line. It took me 8 hours and 55 minutes, but I was absolutely thrilled to complete it.

From around mile six, my feet started burning in a way I had never experienced in training, and an energy drink upset my stomach, leading to toilet stops and a drop in pace, along with time lost treating blisters. Seeing the 8-hour pace car was a tough mental moment after previously staying with the 6.5-hour car, but the crowds kept me going as I alternated between running and walking in the heat, staying focused on hydration and cooling down.

I leaned on an app with voice messages from family and friends at each mile, which really helped, especially after seeing them at the halfway point. I concentrated on finishing, constantly reminding myself of what Daisy had been through.

Running for Momentum was emotional and really special, and I will always remember everything they have done for us. When it sometimes felt like those around us had heard it all before, Momentum was always ready to listen, support, and help us create lasting memories.

The painted pebble from Momentum that Daisy kept in her hospital bag became her good luck charm, and thinking of moments like that kept me focussed throughout the marathon.

Daisy walked with me for about 10 minutes around mile 16, and when someone asked if she was proud of me, she said, “I am so proud of mummy. She is raising money for Momentum who helped me when I was sick.” That meant the world.

Daisy is our why. This has felt like both a healing process and a celebration that she is well again, and that we are now able to give back by supporting Momentum and helping other families.”

Thank you to our amazing team of volunteers, who wore their bright green Momentum tabards with pride and brought a lot of energy to the day. Their enthusiasm and support helped lift our runners to the finish line.

Thinking about taking on the London Marathon 2027? Next year’s race takes place on Sunday 25 April so why not make it your year to step up to the challenge? Run with Momentum Children’s Charity and make every mile matter. You have until Friday 1 May to enter the ballot here