Youngest marathon runner turned 18 on race day

The youngest participant in the 2025 London Marathon celebrated her 18th birthday on race day.

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.

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?"

Event organisers said it had seen an increase in the number of young adults taking part in the race in recent years.

Ms Jones 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.

"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."

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".

Her dad ran in memory of his mother Joan, who died from cancer in 2023.

Ms Jones said knowing she was running in memory of her mum and grandma "helped her push through".

"I was thinking of them in my head when I was running and knowing they'd tell me to keep going," she added.

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.

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