Meet our 2025 London Marathon runners

Each year, our incredible supporters take on the ultimate challenge and run 26.2 miles for Coeliac UK. On Sunday, 27 April 2025, they’ll take on this challenge once again but before they hit the starting line, you can read all about their inspiring stories and what is driving them to run this year.  

Meet Team Coeliac UK 2025 

Valerie

“I feel hugely honoured to be running the London Marathon for Coeliac UK. I’m both excited and daunted in equal measure but the support I have received from them has been amazing. I’m enjoying the training and am delighted to be part of such a special team of runners. I have lived with coeliac disease for 50 years, after a diagnosis (finally!) at age seven. Thanks to ongoing research into the condition and raising of awareness by Coeliac UK, life has improved dramatically. It was so very different back in the 1970s. I’d like to raise money and awareness as a way of thanking Coeliac UK for their invaluable help over the last five decades.” 

Craig

“I’ve always thought the London Marathon would be a great thing to do and this year I was lucky enough to win a place. Sadly, I lost my mum before Christmas, and this has given me renewed determination to succeed. My journey with coeliac disease began just over two years ago, and during that time, Coeliac UK has been an invaluable source of support and information. I want to give back to this wonderful charity. 

I'm incredibly excited about the atmosphere and the challenge that lies ahead. I can't wait for race day!” 

Scott & Holly

“In May 2023 my brother Ben was diagnosed with coeliac disease. 

Connie is our two-year-old niece who was later diagnosed in February 2024. Since her diagnosis she has gained weight and moved up 25% in all her height and growth charts. She is now more smiley than before. 

As Connie is only two it’s been very difficult for her to comprehend why she cannot eat what other children are eating. However, she has become so good and always asks if food has gluten in before she eats it.” 

Ashleigh

“I love a challenge so when my sister suggested putting my name in the ballot I just thought “why not?!” I didn’t expect to get chosen so at that point there was no going back! I’ve been setting myself goals and so far, I’ve met them. I’m doing what I can, and I’ve improved which is exciting to see. 

I’m so delighted to take part in the London Marathon and I can’t wait to cross that finish line! I’m extremely nervous as I know it’s going to be difficult but I’m going to give it my best shot and just be proud of what I’ve achieved.” 

Amelia

“After being diagnosed with coeliac disease in October 2024 I decided to focus my motivation for the London Marathon on fundraising for this fantastic charity who have helped me understand the disease and how to cope with it. I initially decided to run the marathon to prove to myself I can do hard things something I’ve been working on to improve my mental health and since being diagnosed running has helped massively to think through everything and understand my new normal.” 

Kimberley

“Despite being a practice nurse, when Rosie was diagnosed, I can honestly say that I hadn’t fully appreciated the enormity of what coeliac disease would mean to her daily life. I hope that by taking up the challenge to run for the charity and raising awareness of what it means to have this serious medical condition; it will help more people, like Rosie. I’ll be nervous about running the 26.2 miles, but having Rosie and my family cheering me on will fuel my determination and I hope to make them proud.” 

David

“I'm incredibly excited to be running the London Marathon this year in support of Coeliac UK, a cause very close to my heart. My young daughter, Erin, has coeliac disease and follows a strict gluten free diet, so I’m running to raise awareness and support for those living with the condition. It’s a challenge I’m embracing wholeheartedly, and I’m proud to be making a difference for Erin and many others like her.”

Sandra

“This is my first and last marathon! I’m late to running and only started 8 years ago, I love it though, especially the buzz you get afterwards and the head space it gives you during the run. 

My daughter was diagnosed 2.5 years ago. Coeliac disease runs in my family - my dad was diagnosed late in his 50s and my cousins and auntie also have it. My daughter has coped so well. She would love not to be gluten free but with the substitutes available she still gets to eat variety of food. Since she cut out gluten she’s grown significantly and has so much energy. I would love for more restaurants to be gluten free as it’s not always easy eating out, especially abroad. I would also love if ice cream vans stocked gluten free cones as I don’t always remember to take ours out when the weather is nice. I’m very daunted about running the marathon, so far I have managed to stick to my training plan, but getting round is nothing compared to how amazing I think my daughter is.”

Lucy Harrison

“I’m Lucy, I’m 24, and I have coeliac disease. I will be running the London Marathon in April 2025, and I’ve decided to fundraise for Coeliac UK. Before I was diagnosed, I struggled with my diet - everything I ate made me feel very ill. After lots of back and forth with the GP at university, a blood test uncovered that I had 4 times the normal level of the antibodies associated with coeliac disease. I am running the London Marathon because the work they do is invaluable by offering help and advice to individuals, accrediting restaurants with robust food safety procedures which prevent cross contamination and generally raising awareness for the disease.”