Team Pall-Ex celebrates reaching the finish line

After seven months of hard work, determination and commitment, the Pall-Ex Group team of marathon runners are finally celebrating completing the 2025 TCS London Marathon and raising over £33,000 for SSAFA, the armed forces charity.

Barry Byers, Michelle Naylor, Paul Robins, John Bisland, Stuart White, Frank Gee and Tim Clements all successfully ran the London Marathon on Sunday 27th April, pushing through the gruelling heat to run all 26.2 miles to reach the iconic Buckingham Palace finish line.

The team has raised £33,418 to go towards SSAFA, with Chief Operating Officer, Barry Byers, individually raising a huge £11,600. Completing the marathon has been a true test of resilience for the team, with hours of hard work going into both fundraising and training.

As the UK’s oldest national tri-military charity, SSAFA has been supporting both regulars and reserves in the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army, the Royal Air Force and their families for over 140 years.

The money raised for SSAFA will go towards providing mental health, financial and physical support to veterans who are struggling with readjusting to civilian life. For thousands of veterans and their families around the world, SSAFA has acted as a lifeline to help them navigate life in and beyond the military.  

The fundraising effort across Pall-Ex Group has been supported by the Pall-Ex Group Charitable Foundation, along with a charity raffle held at the Pall-Ex Group Annual Awards Evening back in February, and internal fundraising efforts from staff.

We heard from the team of runners following the marathon to hear how they got on.

Barry Byers, Chief Operating Officer –

After the marathon, I feel better than I expected. My knee is a little creaky, but it’s nothing that won’t disappear within a day or two. The marathon was really tough, particularly because of the heat. I ran much slower than in training, but I had to reset my goals because of the higher temperature, and I was really happy to keep my time under five hours.

My main concern before the marathon was my left knee and calf, but I taped them up and brought a pair of compression socks, which worked to stop any further injury. It may not have looked great, but that wasn’t my priority!

There were many tough points throughout the course, in particular going east towards Canary Wharf and then into the Isle of Dogs from about mile 15 to 20. That part of the course is no fun at all, but I would have finished the race on my hands and knees if I had to, so there was never a point that I thought I would give up.

The Cutty Sark section around mile six is like a huge party, which gives you a lift, then I saw my family at mile 12 at Tower Bridge and then again at mile 23, which was a much-needed boost to keep me motivated.  The highlight of my day was catching up with my family, knowing the team had finished safely and being proud of their achievements. Having raised over £33,000 for SSAFA to help those in need is a fantastic feeling.

Paul Robins, Chief Financial Officer –

I’m still having a range of emotions from being so proud to have completed it, relief from the training regime ending, and already missing the buzz from Sunday.

I suffered from jelly legs halfway through, so my calves are still sore, but as of Tuesday, things are starting to feel better. It has taken a couple of days of recovery, but please don’t ask me to move quickly!

There were several favourites along a very challenging journey, mile 14 was questionable as my legs gave up and I thought ‘I still have 12 miles to go’, so that will always be memorable. Mile 13 and London Bridge were amazing, and I managed to see my two sons on mile 22, which gave me a massive boost, and I started to speed up (well, walk faster!!)

I have too many highlights to mention, the medal being placed around my neck, the finish line, seeing Big Ben in the distance knowing the end is in sight, the endless cheers from the crowd, helping other people get back on their feet after almost passing out, being overtaken by two dinosaurs, getting on the train at the beginning of the day and seeing a couple dressed up in a gin and tonic costume and seeing my sons amongst the thousands of people in the crowds.

There were several occasions when the idea of not finishing passed my mind, the mental challenge was hard as the heat took its toll. The legs failed me on mile 14, and I thought there is another 12 miles to go … can I do it? But the thought of not letting people, and myself down, and raising funds for charity took over.

I’ve put my name down on the ballot for next year, and I can’t believe I’m saying that. I would like to keep on top of my fitness and maintain the massive steps that I’ve taken over the past five months.

Michelle Naylor, Managing Director - UK Networks -

I am still absolutely buzzing, I’m very achy but incredibly proud of completing it. The training and running the marathon was completely out of my comfort zone but I did it and now I am part of the 1% club.

My legs aren’t feeling too bad but I think that was down to putting a lot of effort into training my muscles at the gym beforehand, so I’m reaping the rewards of my hard work!

My favourite mile was definitely Tower Bridge, as I was running up I could hear the roar of the crowd and as you turn the corner its quite an emotional site to see. I also knew that’s where my kids and husband were waiting to see me.

The highlight of my day was finishing and getting my medal, and hearing from my children that they were proud of me. Usually it’s the other way around!

There was never a point during the race where I thought I couldn’t carry on, I was so determined to finish it. Getting notifications on my phone to say the other runners had completed the race kept me motivated.

This is the second marathon I’ve run now and I never plan on doing one again, I feel like I can happily hand the baton over to someone younger and fitter than me. However, I would recommend that everyone runs a marathon at least once, just for the feeling and to prove to yourself that you can do it.

John Bisland, Hub Manager –

I am incredibly proud of completing the marathon, but physically, I am exhausted! My legs were like jelly for a few hours during the race, and I suffered from the usual aches and pains the following morning. The highlight of the race was definitely mile 17, as that’s where my family were to cheer me on. Mile 26 was special, coming up to the palace before turning onto the final stretch where the crowd really gets you going, but overall, the whole day was very special.

I always knew in my head that I would finish, but it was tough. The weather being hot is an understatement, I couldn’t work out at the finish line whether I was just knackered or suffering from sunstroke.

I turn 40 on May 3rd and to celebrate, I am doing something I love and running in Glasgow at the Glasgow Green 10k.

Frank Gee, Managing Director at Millbray Group –

I am feeling pretty good following the marathon, my ankle is a little swollen, but I’m generally feeling ok. I totally overcooked the pace at the beginning and cramped up terribly from mile 16, so I had to develop a walk / run to get me through. I’m running in the Valencia marathon in December, but if you had asked me if I wanted to run again during miles 19-26, it would have been a resounding no.

Tim Clements, Managing Director at Team C Express Logistics –

I must admit that I am still struggling with very sore legs even three days later. However, I’m happy that I gave absolutely everything on the day in very difficult conditions. The atmosphere throughout the race was just incredible and it reminds you that there are so many wonderful people still out there.

My favourite mile of the marathon will come as no shock but it was definitely the last one! Not only was it at the end but the crowds, the noise and the views of the city were just insane. The highlight of my day has to be seeing my family at mile 21, as it was obviously great to see them all but they also had a bag of ice which I put straight under my cap. My legs first started cramping up a little at mile 17 which I’ve never had so early before, so I struggled with that.

Despite the fact that I’m going to put my feet up for at least a couple of weeks before my next run, we’re going to visit my daughter in Australia so I have signed up for the Sydney marathon on August 31st.

If you would like to donate to the team, please visit: https://www.pallex.co.uk/london-marathon