On Sunday 27 April, 177 people will don the MDUK colours and join the 56,000+ other entrants at the 2025 TCS London Marathon. We caught up with some of Team MDUK to find out why they decided to take on the 26.2-mile challenge for us and how they’re feeling about the big day.
Good luck to our London Marathon team
Overcoming challenges
In 2018, Lew Mathias was diagnosed with the rare muscle wasting condition myotonic dystrophy type 1. Determined to prove to himself, as well as to his friends and family, that he can achieve extraordinary things despite his condition, he signed up to run the London Marathon.
My life changed forever when I was diagnosed.”
“As the first in my family to receive this diagnosis, followed by my dad and two brothers, it was a daunting and uncertain time. I’m a rational person and always try to focus on the positives, but it has been a difficult journey.”
Until a year ago, Lew had never run more than 10km but now enjoys running and, while he has noticed more symptoms of his condition in recent years, he says he’s fitter than ever. “Taking part in the London Marathon as part of Team MDUK is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a positive impact. Lots of people have never heard of my condition and that’s part of the reason I want to do this, to help raise awareness and make sure others get the same support I have.”
Running in memory
This will be Ben Pusey’s first marathon and he’s running as part of Team MDUK in memory of his older brother Lewis who lived with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Ben was only 12 when Lewis sadly died at the age of 14, and he told us that he only fully understood the condition his brother was living with as he got older.
“I didn’t look at our life as being different, but of course Lewis was facing daily challenges.”
“I have always been incredibly inspired by the courage and bravery he had to not let his diagnosis change his outlook on the world.”
This year is particularly poignant as it will be 20 years since Lewis’s death, which is what inspired Ben to sign up for the London Marathon as part of Team MDUK. “I haven’t done much running before, and I know the 26.2 miles will be a considerable mental and physical challenge. But it feels insignificant compared to the challenges faced by my brother and others who live with this life-changing diagnosis.”
Our first Team MDUK assisted wheelchair participants
For the first time ever, our London Marathon team includes two people taking part as assisted wheelchair participants after they were successful in the ballot. Simone Hall and Konstantina Nouka will each be joined by a team of four support runners.
Simone lives with GNE myopathy and will have her mum, stepdad, sister and uncle alongside her on the day. She said that she’s excited to take in the atmosphere and enjoy the experience with her family. “I feel very privileged to be able to take part in the London Marathon. It’s something I always wanted to do before I started getting symptoms in my early 20s, and now I can be part of a very special day raising money for a great charity.”
Konstantina, who lives with Ullrich muscular dystrophy will have her partner Cameron, his dad, her sister and her dad joining her and told us that she is excited to share the experience with them.
“I never thought I would be running/wheeling in a marathon, but I could not be happier. Being part of Team MDUK feels special.”
“It means that I can give back to the community. MDUK has supported me in so many ways; I want to be able to say thank you and raise money to support people with similar conditions to mine.”
We’d like to say a special thank you to an anonymous donor for funding the race wheelchairs and making this possible. Also, to Delichon Ltd for working with us to supply the chairs for Simone and Konstantina, which will then be available for future Team MDUK race participants.
The Running Phone Box
You may have spotted Sid Keyte on the news during previous London Marathons as he tends to stand out, running dressed as a phone box! This will be his third year running with Team MDUK and he does it in support of his brother Robin who lives with myotonic dystrophy.
Sid says that he has a love/hate relationship with his outfit, which is made of wood and cardboard and weighs 15kg.
“Training is quite challenging, and I have had to learn how to run like a penguin inside my box without the use of my arms.”
I definitely confuse people when I’m out training, but it’s a great conversation starter and that’s important. The phone box attracts attention and when people ask me about it, it allows me to tell them about Robin and why I’m fundraising for MDUK.
“Robin teaches me, and all of us, to live life to the full and be kind to others. If he can remain so positive despite the daily challenges he faces, then I can run as a phone box for a few miles!”
Thank you!
We’re so grateful to everyone who is taking part in the London Marathon for us, helping to fundraise and increase awareness of muscle wasting conditions. We wish you all the best of luck and will be there to cheer you on!
A message from our president to #TeamMDUK
