Last weekend saw a record-breaking 56,640 finishers cross the line at the London Marathon, making it officially the world's largest marathon. And we were proud to have 25 wonderful Oxford Hospitals Charity runners of our own who completed 26.2 miles in the sweltering heat. 

They were raising money for causes across our Oxfordshire Hospitals, including the Oxford Heart Centre, Churchill Hospital, Brodey Centre at the Horton, Oxford Children’s Hospital, Silver Star Maternity Fund and Oxfordshire I.M.P.S

Everyone had their special reasons for choosing to run for our charity, including Laura Williamson, Emergency Nurse Practitioner at the JR. 

When asked why she decided to take part in the marathon Laura said, “In February this year, I took a bit of a chance and applied to run the London Marathon for Oxford Hospitals Charity. I never thought I would actually get the place, but I did, and what an opportunity it has been to run my first marathon! It was very special.

"The whole experience from training to fundraising has been a learning curve, but a fantastic one. The support I’ve had from the charity, family, friends and my colleagues in the emergency department has been incredible. 

"I was very proud to run for Oxford Hospitals Charity. As a nurse working in the Emergency Department for the last 10 years in Oxford, I have seen firsthand how the charity has supported our team and many others across the Trust. 

"Recently, the charity purchased technology for our department to assist patients with complex needs. Raising money for them has meant so much as it will directly impact patients and staff positively to provide an enhanced level of care.

"Thank you, Oxford Hospitals Charity for everything you do but also for fulfilling a little girls dream of running the London Marathon!”

The fastest runner in the charity team was Mark Rogers, who crossed the line in an epic 02:58:45. Mark was running in memory of his friend Andy, who was cared for by the team at the Brodey Cancer Centre at the Horton.

Speaking about why he signed up to the event Mark said, “As soon as I qualified that I decided I would run for the Brodey Centre where a good friend of mine Andy Stott was having treatment. He was such a big supporter of my running.

"Very sadly he passed away just before Christmas 2024. So I ran in his memory.

"London was by far the toughest marathon I have ever run, I was talking out loud - telling Andy 'we have got this mate, we can do it'. I ran up the Mall seeing the clock slowly just ticking over 3hrs as per the gun time..

“I felt I had let everyone down, my goal was a sub 3 for Andy. Then I got my official time confirmed at 2hrs 58mins 45sec. I was delighted. My Justgiving page boomed in the last few hours of race day and together we raised over £2,250.

"It means so much that this money will go directly to the Brodey Centre and help other people in the future. That was always the goal and we did it. I felt broken emotionally and physically but it was well worth it.”

These are just two stories from our amazing team of 25. We’re so incredibly proud of everyone in our team for giving it their all, for their team spirit, for encouraging each other and for choosing us to run for.

And remember... the ballot for places in next year’s marathon are only open until Friday 2nd May, so if you’re inspired make sure you apply today click here. Or why not join our Oxford Half team for this October, click here to sign up