The unique challenge of the London Marathon - four brave North Wales athletes recall their personal dramas

*Pictured above - Rachel Morris proudly displays her London Marathon medal.

The unique challenge of the London Marathon - four brave athletes recall their personal dramas...

Introduction by Don Hale and reports directly from the athletes concerning their own personal journeys as mentioned via Facebook.

 

This is a special page to acknowledge the brave and dedicated efforts from just a few of the many North Wales based runners who successfully tackled this year’s London Marathon, with some also raising thousands of pounds for charity and worthy causes. 

 

This is a summary of their dramas and memories from this iconic event.

 

RACHEL MORRIS: TCS London Marathon 2026 completed in 5hr 15min 04 seconds. I came away with a PB after knocking off 8 minutes from my last London Marathon. Absolutely loved it, so well organised, and the spectators were amazing I had loads of shout-outs due to my name and the Welsh Dragon being on my top 

Thanks to all of you who have supported me during my training and the lovely messages sent today, really appreciate it came away with a nasty pain in my knee that I picked up at mile 12 but soldiered on and managed a sprint finish. 

Special thanks to Josh Griffiths Run Coaching for getting me through it, you are the best. Bit annoyed that Daddy Pig beat me, but the Rhino didn’t, so that’s a plus, I suppose. London you have been amazing.

 

JOSIE DAVIES: Pictured above: Well, that’s it, number 19 all done and dusted. Had the best time with the best people thank you Nikki Davies and Dan for looking after the boys for me they had so much fun. It was emotional and tough in the heat especially from mile 20, but London once again did us all proud and kept the runners safe.

Thank you as always for all my donations for Happy Faces Children’s Charity and for all your constant support, I couldn’t do it without you all. I will keep my just giving page open for a little longer in case anybody fancies throwing some pennies my way lots of love.

DOUGIE GRAHAM: Pictured above:  London Marathon 2026.That was unbelievable experience: Positives - the crowd were absolutely amazing, must have heard ‘Go on Dougie son’ in a Danny Dyer dialect…’You got this Dougie’…’Go go Dougie’ over a thousand times. 

The feeling in my thumbs are just about coming back from all the thumbs up and high 5s! Really well-run event, and also now getting that nod from strangers walking post run with that bling 

Negatives - needed a cubicle to wee at 1.24 miles, had too much weight in my waist belt, forgot sun protection, injury came back at 4.5 miles, then was a jelly procession at 10 miles on, threw up at 15.2, after drinking too much sugar, and then lumbered for the rest!

Got it done, but 2 years of stress finally over and injury Looking for some freebies then going to collapse at the hotel. Thank you to HAPPY FACES CHILDREN'S CHARITY/RAY For this fantastic opportunity. Doris for always posting on my socials saying I’ll do London one day! Del, Jon, and Pete, for all their support and good times raising money when they completed and smashed it in 2025. The daughter for putting up with me, and all the kind notes and words from friends and colleagues that drove me to turn up today instead of bottling the challenge. And of course back cloak Runners, Dalzell Runners, North Wales Road Runners and the parkrun family at Y Promenad, Landfill yn Rhos, and Conwy / Penrhyn for putting up with me as a sick note watching from the sides. Apologies, I will try and get round to thanking for the charity donations xx Thank you.

DANIEL HENNELL: Well London you didn't disappoint! It was like a 26.2-mile party! The crowds were absolutely phenomenal, and they really do pull you along when you feel like your world is ending. That took every ounce of my being to get round.

I fell into the trap and went out too quickly for the 1st half and paid for it in the second, but I'm so proud to have done it, to do it under 4 hours and to get a PB is nothing to be sniffed at. All the training paid off...Just sneaked in under 4 hours at 3:58 giving me a new marathon PB by about 12 minutes. 

Absolutely amazing place and despite re-evaluating my life choices at times I had the best time. What an experience, truly mega! Thank you for the opportunity to run and represent the club and thank you so much for the messages of support and congratulations I've received. It genuinely means a lot.