Why I’m fundraising...
I’m taking part in the London Marathon 2026 on Sun 26 Apr to raise funds and awareness in aid of Target Ovarian Cancer. My beautiful Mum died from Ovarian Cancer in 2018, just 10 months after being diagnosed. The charity target what’s important to stop ovarian cancer devastating lives – that means symptoms awareness, life-saving early diagnosis, better treatments and support for everyone affected by ovarian cancer.
Please support my fundraising, and together we’ll transform the future for everyone diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
My Updates
Training week 12/13 complete ✅
Sunday 19th Apr Finished this week with my last long run of 8 miles today, bringing my weekly total to 21 miles. This week has been tough. Overly hypersensitive thanks to the tapering. Looking forward to a week of short runs, resting and carb loading. If you would like to track me on the day download the 2026 TCS London Marathon App:
Training Week 11/13 complete ✅
Tuesday 14th Apr I finished week 11 with a half marathon (13.1 miles) on Sat, bringing my weekly total to 27.1 miles. Tapering has commenced…and I have morphed into a hypersensitive wreck. I wish someone had warned me 😳🤦🏼♀️ 5 weeks of +30 miles per week =💪, 1 week of less than =👶🏻 😭
Training week 10/13 complete ✅
Sunday 5th Apr I finished week 10 with my longest training run of 21 miles it took 3hrs 35mins. With a total weekly mileage of 38 miles this has been my toughest training week by far, both physically and mentally. I know I can do this but that doesn’t stop my head from telling me I’m too old and I can’t! The mileage will now start to taper off…3 weeks to go! As always, thank you so much for your support 😊💛 Share
Training Week 9/13 complete ✅
Tuesday 31st Mar I finished week 9 with 15 miles on Sun bringing my total weekly mileage to 33. Sunday’s run was tough after 5 fights at the British Vets Open on Sat but the Thames Path route was lovely. Gearing up for my longest training run yet on Easter Sunday. Thank you for your support 😊💛 Share
Training week 8/13 complete ✅
Monday 23rd Mar I finished this week with a short 4 mile run after switching my long run of 18 miles to Friday. 18 miles is the longest I’ve run in my life! Tough is an understatement. I suffered for a couple of days but my recovery did feel a bit quicker so the training must be helping. My total weekly mileage was 35 miles. Slowly but surely getting there. Thank you for your donations and support 😊💛 Share
Training Week 7 Complete ✅
Sunday 15th Mar Finished this week with another 16 mile run to Maidenhead bringing my weekly total miles to 31. Feeling exhausted. Not least because I lost my key on Friday’s run and the cold got me 🥶 3+ hours recovery taught me a big lesson. Thank you for your support 😊💛 Share
Training Week 6 complete ✅
Sunday 8th Mar I finished my training week with a long 16 mile run to Maidenhead and back today bringing my total
Training week 5 complete ✅
Sunday 1st Mar Finished the week with an 11 mile run this morning, a total of 26 miles this week. A decent PR time for 10 miles.
Training Week 4 Complete
Monday 23rd Feb I finished week 4 with a 4 mile run last night after coaching all weekend. Glad I swapped the runs over and did half marathon (13.1 miles) on Friday AM. Pretty pleased with my time of 2hrs 3mins especially because I’m not a runner and I am old! A total of 27.1 miles last week. Rest day today before I start week 5 tomorrow with 4 miles Share
Training Week 3 Complete
Sunday 15th Feb I finished this week with a 9 mile run this morning, which should have been 10 miles but I managed to mess it up somehow 🤯. This brought my weekly total to 23 miles. The runs have been hard this week and I only managed one judo session because I picked up a virus. Hopefully next week will be stronger. Thank you for your support 😊💛 Share
Training Week 2 Complete
Sunday 8th Feb I finished week 2 with an 8 mile run today, a weekly total of 20 miles. This morning my route took me past my Mum’s bench twice, a reminder of why I am doing this. Yoga tonight and rest day tomorrow because my legs are definitely feeling it now. Thank you so much for your donations 😊💛 Share
Training Week 1 Complete
Tuesday 3rd Feb I finished my first week of marathon training on Sunday with 6 miles, bringing my total miles for the week to 17. My legs are definitely feeling it but my appetite has increased slightly and my sleep is improving 💪 🏃🏼♀️ thank you for your donations 😊💛 Share
Training Week 1
Wednesday 28th Jan After fighting in France on Sat I took Sun to rest and braved my first 3 miles on Mon. I did 5 miles yesterday (Tues) and a light technical judo session last night. Not afraid to say my body feels like it’s been hit by a bus! 😫 Rest day & some yoga today. Thank you so much for your donations 😊💛 ShareThank you to my Sponsors
£35
George Watson
£53.32
Kevin
Good luck
£27.05
Martin Ball
Good luck Sam. I dont think one of the most determined girls I have ever met needs luck. xx
£21.84
Lee
All the best for he marathon today Sam, I'm sure you'll be amazing!
£11.33
Philip Brown
Good luck Sam.
£21.84
Anton Costa
Hi Sam, sorry to hear of your loss and all the very best for the London marathon. Anton ( Marlow BJJ)
£53.32
Philip Kay
£20
Lloyd Ashton
Good luck Sam from the Ashtons!
£20
Jodie, Gav, Daisy And Taylor Mernagh
Well done Sam for all your hard work and dedication to training we’re sure you’ll smash it on the day !
£21.84
Anonymous
You’ll make it, one way or another.
£10
Anonymous
£100
Anonymous
Good luck 🤞
£25
Darron Saunders
Good luck, Sam from Daz and Shaz x
£6.11
Mario Hommerson
Go for it , Sam !
£5
Olly Appleby
Good luck Sam
£11.33
Riley Dunleavy
Good luck 🍀
£32.23
Hannah Mohammad
£10
Kay Andrews
£21.84
Georgie Allsworth
Good luck sensei Sam, you’re gunna smash it, you should be feeling so proud of yourself no matter what happens tomorrow!
£30
Alicia, Dan, Oliver, Jack, Bodhi Xxxxx
Every stride you take we’ll be cheering you on in spirit Sam, wishing you the best of luck 🍀
£53.32
Danielle
Smash it Sam 💪🏻 Mum will be very proud 💛
£100
Laura Plumridge & Dan Cuadrado
£20
Abigail Clayton
Best of luck Sam, run well.
£11.09
Masha
Good luck Sam💪🏃♀️
£10
Karen Leonard
Good luck xx
£11.09
Anonymous
£20
Paul Warner
Great effort Sam, congratulations!
£21.84
Lynn Barber
Wishing you all the very best Sam, good luck, love from Lynn and Ray xx
£20
Cally
So ridiculously proud of you Sam, massive congratulations you are one incredibly strong lady, smashed the training in such a short time, just amazing x
£21.84
Debbie And Matt P
Good luck Sam x
£10
Lewis Stevens
Good luck Sam!!!
£30
Jo Drew
Super proud of you always. Your mum will be with you every step of the way. Xx
£53.32
Aaron Turner
Good luck Sam
£212
Sue
For all the right reasons…..and for yourself…..have a great run.
£53.32
Ant Ashton
Well done Sam, I know you are going to smash it?! 💪🏼
£27.05
Steve / Ollie Saunders
£53.32
Anonymous
Awesome Sam. Well done.
£74.20
Drew Cribbes
Go Sensei!
£5
Mark Creegan
Amazing amount raised for a very important cause. You will smash the marathon with your positive mindset
£53.32
Marcus
£212
Janek Dobrowolski
Good luck, love Dad
£11.33
Nicole Ruduss
C'mon Sam!
£10
Matthew Twardzik
£53.32
Anonymous
£32.23
Judith
Good luck with this challenge, for such a worthy cause
£16.56
Tony Castielli
Good luck Sam!
£20
Laura Skinner
Good Luck Sam - you’re amazing! 🏃🏼♀️ 🩷
£53.32
David Crook
£50
Lh
All the best with the run
£53.32
Jo Lincoln
Sam, An incredible thing to do for such an important charity. Your Mum will be willing you on and so justifiably proud of her beautiful and determined daughter! Go smash it!
£11.33
Fiona Chan
£26
Heidi
Good for you Sam; a very worthy cause
£100
Joe Son
So proud of all the training you have done so far and will continue to do. Nana will be shining down on you. Look forward to supporting you on the day! Xx
£32.23
Julie
Good luck Sam x
£53.32
Carrie
Best of luck Sam x
£30
Davina
£10
Rihanna James
Good luck Sam xx
£265
High Wycombe Judo Centre
We are all wishing you the best of luck Sam, massive well done for such a worthy cause. Love Directors and Friends of HWJC X
£21.84
Jo Roberts
Good Luck Sam!
£21.84
Jo, George And Edward Waite
Good luck Sam!
£21.84
Davin Hunt
Good Luck with the training.
£21.84
Mike Smith
Well done 👍
£21.84
Eduardo
Good luck Samantha, I know you will do great x
£50
George Spencer
Miss her, always xx
£1.02k
Anonymous
Good Luck Sam!....Your mum is with you every step of the way 💕 x x
£21.84
Emma Lynn
What a fab thing to do. Best of luck!
£25
Martin
Good luck Sam 🏃
£11.33
Tony Prosser
All the Best Sam - an inspiring effort for a fantastic cause 💪🙂x
£21.84
Fiona Chan
Good luck with the training. You’ve got this! X
£30
Anonymous
£30
Paul Smith
Great effort Sam for a great cause. Good luck .
£20
Lindsey Delaney-taylor
Good Luck Sam, not that you need it, you will smash it 🥰xx
£21.84
Helen Moody
Smash it
£11.33
Tracey Plane
Goodluck, when the miles get hard and throws he heavy, run with your heart xx
£53.32
The Urie Family
£21.84
Scott Howe
Good luck
£11.33
Kelly Wilkes
£50
Anonymous
£11.33
Lee James
£30
Marie Walker
Good luck Sam - you’ll smash this, amazing cause in memory of your beautiful mum xx🫶xx
£15
Jesse And Mani
Good luck Sam xxx
£28.32
