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Youngest London Marathon runner celebrates birthday on race day Youngest London Marathon runner celebrated birthday on race day
(2 days later)
Lucy will run the London Marathon in memory of her mother, who died of cancer Lucy Jones ran the London Marathon with her dad, Chris Jones, in memory of her mum and grandma who died of cancer
The youngest participant in the 2025 London Marathon will celebrate her 18th birthday on race day. The youngest participant in the 2025 London Marathon celebrated her 18th birthday on race day.
Lucy, from Hull, will run her first marathon on Sunday alongside her dad to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Charity in memory of her mother, Clare, who died from cancer when the teenager was nine years old. Lucy Jones, from Hull, ran her first marathon on Sunday alongside her dad Chris Jones to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Charity in memory of her mother, Clare, who died from cancer when the teenager was nine years old.
The 17-year-old said: "How many people can say they spent their 18th birthday running the London Marathon? It's going to feel like a massive achievement for me once it's all done." Reflecting on the event, Ms Jones said thinking of her mum whilst she ran "kept her going".
She added: "How many people can say they spent their 18th birthday running the London Marathon?"
Lucy Jones and dad Chris Jones completed the marathon together
Event organisers said it had seen an increase in the number of young adults taking part in the race in recent years.Event organisers said it had seen an increase in the number of young adults taking part in the race in recent years.
Lucy and her dad Chris take part in a run ahead of the London Marathon Ms Jones decided to take on the 26.2-mile challenge with her dad after watching last year's event on television.
Lucy decided to take on the 26.2-mile challenge with her dad after watching last year's event on television. On race day, Ms Jones wore a Macmillan top with the letters 'MUM' on the back.
She said: "I'm excited and definitely nervous." "It's all about her," she said.
Ms Jones reflected on the event on Monday whilst she was recovering and exploring London with her family.
"I was very happy to cross the finish line, quite close to the end I had to walk a lot because my legs were just dead.
"I still did it. I was so proud of myself, no matter the time or anything like that."
Ms Jones' mum Clare died of cancer eight years ago
The youngster has spent time training for the race and admitted long-distance running had been a "struggle", but said she had found a "passion".The youngster has spent time training for the race and admitted long-distance running had been a "struggle", but said she had found a "passion".
"To get where I am today has been hard but we got there," she said. Her dad ran in memory of his mother Joan, who died from cancer in 2023.
"It's all about pushing through those hard days to prove to yourself and others that you can do anything you put your mind to." Ms Jones said knowing she was running in memory of her mum and grandma "helped her push through".
Lucy's mum Carole died of cancer eight years ago "I was thinking of them in my head when I was running and knowing they'd tell me to keep going," she added.
More than 56,000 people are expected to take part in the 45th London Marathon, according to the organisers. Ms Jones said she was "very happy to cross the finish line"
On race day, Lucy will be wearing a Macmillan top with the letters 'MUM' on the back. The London Marathon's director confirmed this year's race had a record number of starters of any marathon anywhere in the world, with more than 56,000 participants taking to the start line.
"It's all about her," said Lucy.
Her dad, Chris, said he was running in memory of his mother Joan, who died from cancer in 2023.
"It will be a special moment for us both to cross the finish line together," added Lucy.
Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.