Sunday 2 October 2022 is set to be brilliant and memorable day for each and every one of our 82 amazing Team Sarcoma runners taking part in the London Marathon this year.
Up and down the country, our dedicated runners are determined to make a difference, and have been training for months in preparation for the big day.
This year also marks Sarcoma UK’s second time hosting a stand at the Excel Centre’s Running Show – a fantastic opportunity to for our runners connect with us, and one another, in person.
Good luck to all of our Team Sarcoma runners – you are simply the best. Meet some of them below!
Larry and Johanna Adashek 
Father and daughter duo Larry and Johanna are travelling all the way from the United States to run the London Marathon for Sarcoma UK.
This past year, Johanna lost a very dear friend, Christopher, to sarcoma. In 2021, Christopher was diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer neither of them had heard of.
Johanna and Christopher were in law school, from which Christopher took a break to undergo chemo treatment. He continued his treatment with the intention of returning when he could.
In November of 2021, Christopher received the news that his cancer was terminal and he had six months left to live. His health deteriorated quickly, and he sadly passed away in December, a week after his birthday.
‘Apparently, he had likely had the cancer since he was young’ says Johanna. ‘So, in a way, we were fortunate to spend the time with him that we did’.
‘I feel lucky to have known him and honoured to be his friend’.
‘My father and I are running the London Marathon on behalf of Sarcoma UK in the hopes that the funds are used towards sarcoma research, to help people like Christopher.’
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/adasheks
Sam Beaton
Sam is running the London Marathon for Sarcoma UK for a few reasons, and will be running it in the famous giant bone costume.
‘I went to the Marathon as a supporter last year to cheer on my other half, Roxie, who ran for Sarcoma UK’ says Sam.
‘Roxie was running it in memory of one of her oldest and closest friends, who very sadly passed away from sarcoma the previous year.’
‘I was so proud of Roxie’s achievement, and the inspiration she drew from her friend definitely helped her throughout not only the race, but also all the previous training’.
‘I have always wanted to run the marathon, applying through the ballot for the past five or six years with no success. When I went up to London to support Roxie last year, we went to the Running Show, where I met some of the team from Sarcoma UK’.
‘It turns out, one of the team members I met, another Sam, lives round the corner from me back in Dorset!’
‘She recognised me as the “guy who walks his cat”. Small world after all. I have a house cat called Nigel who I have to walk on a lead, so he doesn’t destroy my house – for some context as to why I walk my cat.’
‘Sam and I were chatting, and she offered me an opportunity to run the next marathon in a bone costume they have – I said yes, brilliant, amazing, all over it – and here we are.’
‘I couldn’t be more excited and so glad I can be running this for such a great and amazing charity, whilst also carrying on the support from Roxie from last year.’
Charlie and Jeremy Hunt
Charlie Hunt, and his brother Jeremy Hunt MP, are running the London Marathon this year to raise money for Sarcoma UK & The Royal Surrey Cancer & Surgical Innovation Centre, respectively.
In 2020, Charlie was diagnosed with sarcoma. He had major surgery on his right leg, not knowing if he would ever walk or run again, and since then has also had surgery on both of his lungs.
Charlie has been in and out of hospital pretty consistently, but says he has received excellent treatment from the NHS.
‘I am still fighting on nearly three years later’ says Charlie. ‘However, it remains very difficult for me and my family.’
‘Earlier this year, I asked my brother Jeremy to run the London Marathon with me for the first time – an offer that was nervously accepted!’
‘We have been training over the long hot summer, and even managed a half marathon in Shere, an 18 mile route along the River Wey between Godalming and Woking, and a rather hilly 20 mile loop around the stunning countryside of Hambleden and Hascombe’.
‘My right leg has been particularly troublesome and painful to run on, but I am just so delighted to still have this leg, and be here fundraising for such important causes.’
Tim Garfield-Jones
Tim will be running the Marathon in memory in memory of his friend Russ Lindley, and attempting to break a world record by running dressed as Garfield!
Tim was part of our 2020 virtual team, and is finally getting to run in person this year.
Russ was diagnosed with sarcoma in 2017, and died only a year after sharing his diagnosis with family and friends.
‘In memory of Russ, I want to try and help Sarcoma UK find better treatments, ensure people get the care they need, help fund expert information, and support anyone who is suffering’ says Tim.
‘I am running the London Marathon in his memory and in his honour’.
‘One of the last things Russ said to me was to have fun, and reach out for anything you think you can achieve.’
‘With that in mind, there is a twist. I am not just running the London Marathon, but I will be trying to break a Guinness World Record, by running the fastest marathon in a full-sized cartoon cat outfit!’
Anna Eglin
Anna is running the London Marathon in memory of her inspirational husband, Michael, who sadly passed away from epithelioid sarcoma in 2019, aged just 26.
‘Michael was a true sportsman and loved to challenge himself however he could’ says Anna.
‘The London Marathon seemed a great way for me to challenge myself in memory of him, whilst raising much needed awareness and funds for Sarcoma UK.’
‘In this week running up to the marathon I am feeling very apprehensive, yet excited to finally make it to the start line. Michael will be my inspiration to keep going when things get tough and I’m looking forward to crossing that finish line and meeting our three year old son for a huge cuddle!’
We’ll be cheering in person and online on the day of the big event, so do join in with #TeamSarcoma. If you feel inspired, we’d love to have you take part in 2023 as the event goes back to April.
You can sign up here: https://sarcoma.org.uk/events/tcs-london-marathon/
