Team Lily was an energetic mix of seasoned marathoners and first-time runners this year, with a rich tapestry of stories and motivations. Some had no prior connection to mitochondrial disease before signing up, while others were running in honour of loved ones affected by or lost to the condition. Every participant had their own, very personal, reason for taking part, one that carried them all from the start in Greenwich all the way to the finish line on The Mall.
Community is at the very heart of our organisation, and nowhere was that more evident than on marathon day itself. Friends and family lined the streets at our two Lily cheer points, creating a pink wall of noise, encouragement and emotion that carried runners through the toughest miles.
Among the runners were Finley, son of our Events Manager Jackie, and Lily’s cousin Izzy – both running with very personal connections to the cause. Also lacing up their trainers were members of several of our dedicated fundraising Teams. A special shoutout goes out to Team Poppy, who reached an extraordinary £300,000 lifetime fundraising milestone on marathon weekend. This remarkable total reflects 13 years of unwavering love and commitment in support of 15‑year‑old mito warrior Poppy.
And a special thanks to Renata, our brilliant bioinformatician at University College London, who opened her home along the route, providing our cheer squad with a valuable base complete with hot drinks and delicious bakes that went down almost as well as the water stations did for those out on the route.
The celebrations continued after the race at the wonderfully welcoming Horse & Groom in Belgravia. As runners and supporters gathered to refuel and celebrate an unforgettable day, the pub buzzed with stories, laughter and the quiet pride that followed such a monumental effort. Thanks to landlord Afrim, Michael and the team for hosting such a special celebration.
We’re also hugely grateful to volunteer sports therapists Fi and James, who were on hand to offer post-race rubdowns, loosening all those tired leg muscles and making the first few steps after 26.2 miles that little bit easier.
Natalie, who completed her first marathon for The Lily Foundation, said afterwards:
“Wow, what a day. I just can’t find the words to sum it up yet. Soooo tough in the heat making it harder than I expected, but the experience and the crowds, just WOW! A day to remember for sure. Thank you to The Lily Foundation for making this so special for us all. You really are absolutely incredible and amazing. I’m honoured to have been part of Team Lily (and Team Lacey) today.”
Behind the scenes, none of this would have been possible without the dedication of our running coach, Simon, who generously supported the team from the start of the year through a lively WhatsApp group. Simon’s commitment is deeply personal, with his wife and stepchildren affected by mitochondrial disease, and his guidance, encouragement and belief in every runner made a difference to them all.
This year’s marathon was the epitome of everything Lily stands for – courage, community and an unswerving commitment to fighting mito. From local supporters to international participants, from kitchen table cheer stations to post-run pub gatherings, everyone involved in this iconic race showed just what we can achieve when we come together with purpose. A big thank you to everyone involved.
And while the miles have now been run, and the medals hung proudly, the impact of this race will travel much further – an extraordinary £193,000 that will fuel vital research and support in the fight against mitochondrial disease.
