Kent runs London Marathon 2026: For Brain Tumour Research, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), Mind and Access Sport

Hundreds of people from Kent are running the London Marathon today, with many taking part in memory of their loved ones.

More than 59,000 people are expected at the start line, following a world-record 1.13 million ballot applications, making the 2026 run the most popular marathon in the world.

While some are tackling the 26.2 miles to put their physical and mental resolve to the test, others are doing it to raise money for the charities that matter to them.

Here are some of the stories of those taking part in the race…

In memory of Jenny

Joanna Yeats-Brown from Brasted is taking on the epic journey in memory of her daughter Jenny, who died at the age of 28 from a brain tumour.

Only a year before her death, Jenny had fulfilled her lifelong ambition of becoming a maths teacher, but just as her career kicked off, she began experiencing headaches and vomiting.

The school teacher was diagnosed with a glioblastoma - an aggressive and incurable brain cancer that comes with a prognosis of 12 to 18 months.

In November 2021, she underwent a nine-hour brain surgery while awake, a procedure that allowed surgeons to remove as much of the tumour as possible. The operation was deemed as successful as possible under the circumstances.

But a month later, she experienced a brain bleed, and scans confirmed the recurrence of the tumour for a third time. Jenny was told that she had only a few months to live.

On September 12, 2022, Jenny died peacefully surrounded by family.

Joanna, who is also a maths teacher, said: “Losing Jenny has been devastating and really brings home just how relentless brain tumours are.

“Running the London Marathon is my way of fighting back, of honouring Jenny’s memory, and helping to fund the research that could one day save others from this incredible pain.”

So far, she has raised more than £15,000 in funds for Brain Tumour Research. You can donate here.

She added: “It’s shocking how underfunded this area is, despite brain tumours being the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40. We need more research, more hope, and better outcomes for families like ours.”

Raising money for Brain Tumour Research

John Bailey from Swanley was diagnosed with a brain tumour and was told he would die unless the tumour was removed.

The 62-year-old returned from a summer holiday in July 2023 feeling unwell and collapsed at home before falling down the stairs.

After spending six to eight hours unconscious on the floor because no one was home, he was eventually discovered by his partner and taken to Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford.

An MRI scan revealed he had a haemangioblastoma, a type of brain tumour, and he was transferred to King’s College Hospital in London.

The dad-of-four sons and two stepsons underwent a 12-hour life-saving operation where surgeons had to remove his skull and take apart his spinal cord.

His son Jack, from Dartford, said: “It was such a shock, we couldn’t believe it. We were told that they needed to remove the tumour as soon as possible.

“Doctors said it was a 100% death wish if it wasn’t removed, but Dad was also told there was a very high chance he could die on the operating table because the procedure was so complex.

“They had to remove his skull and take apart his spinal cord, which is incredible. He spent 12 hours in surgery, but they managed to remove 99% of the tumour.”

After relearning how to walk and use his hands, John returned to work in April 2024. He now has annual check-up scans, which have all been stable.

Now 31-year-old Jack is running the London Marathon to raise money for Brain Tumour Research to ensure vital work can continue to find a cure. You can donate here.

In memory of David

Joe Dale from Cranbrook is running the London Marathon in memory of his dad, David, who battled cancer for six years.

The 22-year-old said: “When I was seven, my dad was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“He battled it for about five years on and off, then he went into remission, which was amazing. But after about two years cancer-free, we noticed swelling around his neck.

“The cancer had come back and really hit him hard. I was 13 by then, old enough to understand the possibility of not growing up with my dad.

“He got put into intensive care and passed away on February 27, 2017.”

Today, the construction worker will be running the London Marathon in his dad’s memory for The Institute of Cancer Research. You can donate here.

“I want to turn that sadness into something that helps other people who are battling cancer and going through the horrible disease it is,” he said.

“If doing some running can help and raise money, then I’m absolutely up for it. I want to do Dad proud and raise as much as possible.”

For Aunty Gill

Emily Dews from Tonbridge is taking on the London Marathon for mental health charity Mind in memory of her loved one.

The photographer said: “Aunty Gill lived with mental illness, and she was incredibly brave. She battled every day, often quietly, in ways that many people never saw or fully understood.

“Her strength will always stay with me. She deserves to be remembered for her courage, not just her struggles.”

Although Emily says she is a “complete beginner”, she is doing the race with purpose and will have her aunt in her mind every step of the way.

Every penny raised for Mind will go towards improving mental health services and making sure that no family has to go through the heartache that Emily has.

She has already raised more than half of her fundraising target and is hoping to reach the full amount in the final weeks. You can donate here.

To inspire others

Ben Buckley is taking on the challenge to raise vital money for Access Sport and the Dwarf Sports Association (DFA) UK, while hoping to inspire others, no matter the barriers they face.

The 48-year-old, who has dwarfism, said sport had not always been an easy part of life growing up.

He remembers finishing last in school cross-country races, not making the school football teams, and struggling with his confidence from the negative attention dwarfism can bring.

But finding a community through DSA UK changed everything, Ben said. The charity supports people with restricted growth across the country, helping them access sport from grassroots level through to international competitions. You can donate here.

He said: “I hope my journey can inspire others, especially younger people with similar physical conditions, to believe in what really is possible.

“If my marathon encourages even one person to chase a goal they once thought was out of reach, then every mile will have been worth it.”