2026 London Marathon update

The 2026 London Marathon is fast approaching, and our team of runners are getting back into the swing of training following a busy Christmas and a very rainy January. At the recent Pall-Ex Group Annual Awards evening, a charity raffle was held with all money raised going towards the team’s fundraising efforts.

Representatives from SSAFA were in attendance on the night to collect a cheque for the initial £10,000 donation from Pall-Ex Group, taking the total raised so far up to £15,436.

We caught up with the team to find out more about how their training has been going.

Adrian Craven, Service, Compliance and Quality Manager:

My training is going ok so far, but it has been seriously tough to stay motivated when it’s been constantly dark and wet outside. I’m planning on running a half-marathon distance soon with a friend, and I’m currently able to run just under 10 miles as I work towards the half-marathon distance.

Ellie Harman, Quality and Compliance Manager – North:

I was hoping to be a lot further forward than I am currently, as I seriously underestimated how hard it would be to keep up with training whilst working away so often. Pre-Christmas, I was managing to comfortably do ten miles, but post-Christmas, that has reduced slightly. I’m still sticking to longer runs at the weekend and hoping to pick up the pace now that I’m in a good routine. I’ve downloaded the Runna app to have a bespoke plan to support me going forward, so that should help.

To increase my fundraising, I’m planning a casino night, which I’ve spent a lot of time organising, probably more time than I’ve spent training…

Gary Parsons, Regional Transport and Compliance Manager - Pall-Ex Logistics:

So far, I am running up to 16k comfortably and covering around 30/35 km per week. A lot of my time at the moment is being taken up by football, so my long runs are taking a slight back seat. I am feeling a bit apprehensive as I suffer from the cold, so I’m a bit of a fair-weather runner.

I’m starting to get a bit of money in the fundraising pot now, which is good. I’ve been politely ringing people up to donate.

Darran Gawn, General Manager – Pall-Ex Logistics (Northampton):

I’m currently about 22 miles short of where I need to be for the marathon…

I’m planning on doing the Bedford half-marathon in February, so I’m really knuckling down and focusing on my training now. I’m planning on doing most of my fundraising through my local football team and with the support of my wife’s business, which should help me reach my target.

Nicola Carter, Bywater Transport:

I’m dealing with a bit of a hamstring niggle at the minute, which is playing on my mind, so I’m focusing on a lot of physio and sports massages, but I’ve been told to keep running, so I will listen! Currently, I’m comfortably doing up to 10-13 miles, and luckily, I’ve got a big support network, a good training plan and a coach.

In early March, I’ll be taking on the Rome half-marathon, and I have a local half-marathon with my Tri-club and a 20-miler planned, all in preparation for London. My fundraising starts seriously this month when I’ll be hitting customers after a dull January, and as a couple of others from my Tri-club are running the London Marathon, we have big plans for raising money. I’m usually a trail runner, so I’m not used to running straight and fast on a road. My target is 4:30 hours, but with a real push, I’m optimistic I could go for 4:15.

Richard Steeples, SK Distribution:

I was planning on a 15-week training plan, but unfortunately fell ill with the flu, so that’s now turned into a 12-week plan. I’m building myself up to long runs on the weekend, and I’ve got my distance up to 14k every other week throughout November and December. In the past, I’ve done two ultramarathons in Lake Windemere, so I feel quite prepared and know what to expect. I’m really looking forward to it, and it’s an event I’ve always wanted to do since I started my running journey.

James Taylor, Team C Express Logistics:

My fundraising is going well so far, I had a very generous ‘anonymous’ donation last week, which has helped massively. I haven’t sent the link to friends and family yet, as I was waiting for January pay day to arrive, but I should have no issues at all in raising (hopefully lots) more than the £2500!

I have officially started my training plan, and I’m currently four weeks in, and all is going well. I’ve had a few ups and downs with sometimes wondering ‘how am I going to run for 42km at the pace I would like to?’ but generally I am on track and feeling good. Currently, I’m doing three or four sessions mid-week and then following my plan for long weekend runs. I find it so much easier running with others. I am part of a running group and a running WhatsApp group, so virtually every morning/evening, there is someone available to run with if needed.

For more information about the 2026 London Marathon team or to donate, please visit: https://www.pallex.co.uk/london-marathon-2026