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London Marathon - personal accounts and media

Over the years, many brave people have taken up the challenge of running the London Marathon for CRY.  On this page you can read some of their personal accounts of the event - why they chose to run it; their feelings during the event; how they coped both physically and mentally. 

Also on this page are a collection of newspaper articles about CRY marathon runners.

Simon Edgar - London Marathon 2007

A huge thanks to everyone who has sponsored and supported me raising money for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

Mary-Lou Gravestock - London Marathon 2007

It was so special to run through London and end up finishing on The Mall.  The weather was a nightmare for running - so very hot - but on the plus side it brought the crowds out who were unbelievable and very supportive.  There were bands playing all along the route, children handing out sweets, people shouting encouragement and generally a real carnival atmosphere - London at its best.

Tom Hicks - London Marathon 2007

At the start, I teamed up with another CRY runner (not in costume) who took me off at some pace through the rowdy pubs of the East End, where middle-aged Elvis impersonators crooned from balconies and odd men serenaded with bugles from their back-alley doorways.

I chose CRY as my charity as my friend Leah’s nephew had died aged two, so CRY became personal. It was nice to see other CRY runners along the way and we all gave each other words of encouragement.

Andy Varley - London Marathon 2007

I was running for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) having decided to take part after watching the 2006 race and discussing with some friends. I also wanted to raise some money for a worthwhile cause and complete a challenge of a lifetime.

Peter Snell - London Marathon 2006

Peter Snell chose to run the 2006 London Marathon for CRY following the sudden death of his Uncle.  The gruelling 26.2 mile course was even more of a challenge for Peter, as he broke his ankle a few weeks before the Marathon.  Undeterred by this setback, Peter decided to tackle the event on crutches.

Adam Treacher and Peter Snell - London Marathon 2006 for CRY

The London Marathon 2006 is the latest in a succession of running events that Adam and Peter have entered to raise money for CRY.

Katharine Lawrence - London Marathon 2005

The training was challenging, especially after not getting an entry the first year I tried.  So, I continued to train through two long British winters, often finding time at 6am before a day's work.

Philip Allen - London Marathon in memory of Jane Allen

The most important thing was that we honoured Jane by doing it and it seemed fitting that we got to tell the whole country about Jane’s death and just how much she means to us.

Jonny Lewis - London Marathon in memory of Huw Lewis

On to race day and with it, an extreme mixture of emotions.  Excitement about the race and the atmosphere, trepidation as to whether I could complete it, nerves about not letting people down, sadness as to why I was running and pride about the training I had put in.

Rosemary Castle - London Marathon in memory of Alessandro Testardi

The training was hard at times however the thought that I could help to raise money for research into Sudden Cardiac Death Syndrome made it really worth while. The actual race was a very emotional experience and I enjoyed every mile of it!

Date

Publication

Article title

Heart of the matter

After losing his wife to a previously undetected heart problem, James Brown runs to raise awareness of this rare but high-profile killer of young people. 

Mike's marathon run from the heart

Hertford resident Mike Aylott will wear a heart on his sleeves - and the rest of his body - when he runs the London Marathon in memory of his fiancé. 

Fund-raising efforts in memory of school friend

Memories of a dear friend are spurring on former Clarendon House girl Rachael Roby to run the London Marathon to help the fight against heart disease. 

Runner hops the Marathon 

A charity fundraiser who broke his ankle two months before last weekend's London Marathon completed the gruelling event on space-age crutches. 

Charity benefits from race in memory of Paul

Paul's brothers Peter and Patrick will be running the London Marathon on April 23 to raise money for CRY. 

A marathon runner has organised a fund-raising night in support of the charity he is backing.Paul-John Harris, 56, from Newhaven, is taking part in the London Marathon later this month in aid of the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young.

Fitting tribute to footballer

Paul's brother, Peter, 27, and Patrick, 24, are hoping to raise £1,200 by running the London Marathon for a charity called CRY - Cardiac Risk in the Young. 

Entertainer and DJ Paul-John Harris is beating the odds by taking part in his first ever marathon. The 56-year-old from Newhaven was diagnosed with heart problems when he was five years old and has had three operations to fix a leaking valve n his heart. 

Teen is to run for lost sister

First-time runner Ian Johnson from Crewe is hoping to keep the memory of his sister alive at next month's marathon. 

Peter forced to run at 'Snell's' pace

Brave Peter Snell is to tackle the London Marathon on crutches after breaking his ankle during a warm-up race in preparation for the big event. 

The brothers of former Dover Athletic footballer Paul Sykes have launched a fund-raising drive to raise money for research into the condition that claimed his life.  His brothers, Peter and Patrick, will tackle the London Marathon on April 23 for a charity called CRY.

Syko's family to run for cardiac charity

Relatives of former Dover Athletic striker Paul "Syko" Sykes will run the London Marathon on April 23 to raise money for the Cardiac Risk in the Young charity.

Gemma said: “We are both self-confessed non-runners and are currently undertaking a strict training programme.  We are both determined to finish for Aaron.”  The duo, known as the ‘terrible twins’ when they were growing up together, have committed to raise a minimum of £2,500 for CRY. 

My sponsors were so generous

Having completed the London Marathon in April, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who sponsored me for their generosity. 

Charity runner's success

Running in his first Flora London Marathon saw Nantwich man Lee Johnson raise £1,600 for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). 

Hewlett finds it tough second time around

Martin, who completed the course in 3hrs 39 minutes, said: “It was very hot, probably a bit too hot for running."

Charities are winners too!

Fundraisers from across Tendring put their running shoes on to come up with the case for charity in the 25^th anniversary Flora London Marathon. 

Runners take the marathon course to charitable victory

Tessa Denham-Cookes, from Watford, ran the 26 miles in aid of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

Tessa's marathon effort helps charity

Tessa Denham-Cookes from Watford, ran the 26 miles in aid of a little-known charity called Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).  

A personal challenge

Doug Paterson from Esher will be running the 26.2 mile route in memory of his brother James, who suddenly died in 2002 from a previously undetected heart condition.  James was a 24-year-old fit young man training to be a navigator in the RAF. 

Quartet to stride out for charity

With 600 training miles behind them already, a group of Swansea Council workers are continuing to pound the pavements ahead of the London Marathon. 

Marathon for tragic Richard

A Clacton policeman is to run in the London marathon in memory of a colleague’s ten-year-old son who died while he was playing. 

10/03/05

Putting my heart and sole into it!

When sports-loving Del Christie suffered a sudden heart attack at the age of 32, he didn’t dare believe that nine years later he would be fit enough to run a marathon. 

Jack's mum on marathon mission as a thank-you for her son

A mum is to run a gruelling 26 miles to help ease the suffering for families with seriously-ill children.  Determined Cheryl is to tackle the London Marathon for the charity that was ‘always there’ when her son was diagnosed with a heart defect. 

Runner gears up for marathon challenge

When crime analyst Tessa Denham-Cookes took up running last year she could barely make it to the end of her street without getting out of breath.  Just a few months later, the 25-year-old from Watford is gearing up for the London Marathon. 

Katie stepping out in tribute to sister

Physio Katie Allen is stretching her own muscles to run this year’s London Marathon and raise money for a heart research charity. 

Sue's marathon bid for CRY charity

A Rugby nurse is getting super-fit in training for the London Marathon.  Sue Barnard, a cardiac rehabilitation nurse at Rugby’s Hospital of St Cross, is running to raise money for CRY. 

Helping in the long run

A nurse from St Cross Hospital is training for the London Marathon despite being new to exercise. 

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