On the evening of Tuesday 29th April, two days after the 2025 London Marathon, Cherry Lodge Cancer Care’s five local runners took up the invitation to visit our centre. This was an opportunity to enjoy our hospitality, receive our thanks in person, benefit from a relaxing remedy, and share experiences of the big day.
We thank all our runners for taking part in this very challenging event for the benefit of Cherry Lodge Cancer Care. Thank you as well to Tina for all her work associated with this event, and to volunteer therapists Linda and Andi for making the runners more comfortable. Thanks are also due to our volunteer website reporter, Freddy, for her account:
Liam Pratt was over the moon at successfully completing this year’s marathon, having been so very disappointed at having to postpone his run last year due to illness. He told us that he had prepared for this year’s run with his friend, Trey, and running the marathon together had been momentous for them both. Liam said how very hot it was on the day and how uncomfortable he had been in his running vest. It was, though, wonderful to have so many total strangers shout out his name, helping him run as fast as he possibly could. Liam was especially enthusiastic about the very long Commercial Road, leading to Tower Bridge, where he saw many of his friends and family encouraging him. Thank you Liam for following in the Pratt family tradition and supporting Cherry Lodge in this way!
Trey Warner Noel: this was Trey’s first marathon and he was particularly grateful that he was able to raise money for Cherry Lodge. Like the other runners he talked about how uncomfortably hot it became and how it was not at all easy to keep cool and hydrated. Being with Liam a lot of the way made it a very memorable event and he said he would run a marathon again … something not all the runners agreed on! Highlights for Trey were a hug with his brother at around 35k and the sheer number of people lining the route shouting encouragement. What an achievement!
Claire Dutton: Like the others, Claire has a full time job and a busy life but decided she wanted to run the London Marathon. Interestingly, while going to the gym daily, Claire decided that Saturdays were her running practice day and she stuck to a rigid regime for a full nine months of training. Despite having a twin brother who is also a runner, she prepared for the run and completed it by herself. She found terrific encouragement from lots of family and friends along the way, all more or less knowing her exact timing and position. Claire was sure she would readily do another 26.2 miles, but perhaps in slightly cooler weather! Thank you Claire for running for Cherry Lodge!
Joe Fryer proudly announced this was his first, and last, marathon. Taking over 7 hours must have been a gruelling experience for Joe who only a few weeks ago dislocated his knee and while being more or less ok for 14 miles had to limp the last 12 miles in great discomfort. The unseasonably hot weather (the fourth warmest London marathon in 45 years) did not help. It was fascinating to learn that Joe had climbed Mount Kilimanjaro two years ago, an experience which, on reflection, he preferred to the 26.2 miles along the London streets. Joe’s girlfriend was a terrific support and he saw her some five times along the route. Thank you Joe – you are an inspiration!
Nicholas Shone: Aiming for a sub 4hr time, Nicholas had carefully prepared for the event by going to the gym and swimming several times a week as well as a weekly 50+km run. All went to plan on the day until he developed a most unpleasant and disabling stitch at around 23k, which clearly made running as planned somewhat difficult. In the event he missed his target by just 17 seconds. Disappointing for him but still a great achievement! Like his fellow runners Nicholas was very uncomfortable with the heat but benefited from the actions of enthusiastic spectators keeping him hydrated. Lovely to meet you Nicholas – and thank you!
Our sixth runner, Leoni Gomes de Oliveira Junior, was unable to attend the event on Tuesday evening, being very far from local! Leoni lives in Brazil and has a very different story. He was determined to run the 2025 London Marathon in memory of his mother who died from cancer shortly before she was due to see him run in the Rome event and visit London together in 2019. Last year he searched the internet to find a cancer charity that might be able to offer him a place. He found Cherry Lodge Cancer Care and his story touched our hearts. Thank you Leoni for supporting Cherry Lodge. We congratulate you on your success, including becoming a very special Six Star Finisher.
Remember that there is still time to sponsor our runners. If you haven’t done so already, please show your appreciation of their huge achievement in aid of Cherry Lodge. Visit CL’s 2025 London Marathon team page on Enthuse or go to the runners’ individual pages by clicking on their names in blue, above. Money is still coming in and the total raised on Enthuse so far (1st May) is £10,700.
