The London Marathon takes place on 26 April 2026. Thousands of runners will gather at the start line, each with their own motivation for taking on the challenge, and among them will be an inspiring group running in support of the Army’s national charity.
Every one of our runners has a story – a reason for stepping up, lacing their trainers and committing to months of training in support of soldiers, veterans and their families. From first‑time marathoners to seasoned endurance athletes, they are united by a shared purpose: supporting the Army family, for life.
To spark some inspiration, we’re shining a spotlight on a few of our incredible London Marathon runners. Read on to discover their journeys, their motivations and what drives them forward to the start line this April.
Todd
Coming all the way from the US, the 2026 London Marathon will be Todd’s 65th marathon, having started with a single difficult mile that grew into a global challenge. After rediscovering running later in life, he worked his way from local races to completing marathons in all 50 US states and several countries worldwide. “Every marathon brings its own story, its own challenge, its own memory,” he said.
With a background in the US Army and time spent serving with NATO, choosing to run for the ABF felt instinctive. “It felt like the right organisation to run for”, he says. As he trains for the race, Todd hopes others will take on their own challenge: “If half a mile is all you can do, start there. It’s amazing how quickly your body adapts.”
He now looks forward to adding London to his list of unforgettable finish lines.
Rachel
Rachel has supported ABF since her earliest days as a soldier and continued fundraising throughout her 24‑year Army career and beyond. Over the years she has taken on countless challenges, including an extraordinary effort during COVID, where she completed six back‑to‑back marathons around London. “The harder the challenge, the more people are willing to donate”, she said.
Now an ABF ambassador, Rachel sees running for the charity as a way of staying connected to the military community. “When you leave the military, you lose a bit of your identity. Supporting the ABF helps me keep that connection and pay it forward”, she explained. With a strong belief in helping veterans and families who may one day find themselves in crisis, she continues to raise funds with commitment and creativity.
As she prepares for the 2026 TCS London Marathon, Rachel isn’t chasing a time. Instead, she’s taking part alongside her good friend Andy Reid MBE, an Army veteran, ABF beneficiary, and triple amputee, who is also doing the marathon in support of the ABF and The Standing Tall Foundation.
Bethan
Bethan discovered her love for distance running after missing out on a half marathon she had trained for. Instead of stopping there, she signed up for new challenges and soon realised how much running helped her switch off after long days of teaching. “It became my way to unwind”, she said. “I actually look forward to those long runs.”
She has since completed several half marathons, always choosing to fundraise along the way. When she decided to take on her first full marathon, she wanted to support a charity she felt personally connected to. With her brother Tom serving in the Army, the ABF felt like the natural choice. “We’re incredibly close”, she said. “Supporting the community he’s part of means a lot to me.”
Training has been full‑on as she juggles teaching, running and everyday life, often fitting in a 10K run to school or squeezing training around lesson planning. She’s also learned how important fuelling properly is. “Even when I’m not hungry, I know I need to eat.”
With support from friends, family, school parents and even some of Tom’s colleagues, her fundraising has come together quickly. On race day she’ll have a huge crowd cheering her on. “I just want to enjoy the atmosphere and make everyone proud”, she said.