On Sunday 26 April, 44 of our amazing supporters headed for the famous start line of the 2026 TCS London Marathon, marking our biggest team ever to take part.
Team Target is committed to raising vital funds to help us support everyone affected by ovarian cancer, and we want to congratulate all our participants for their fundraising efforts – and for finishing the challenge! An incredible achievement.
Meet Hannah
Mum of two Hannah Hammond took on our Target 50 challenge in January 2025 as a complete non-runner. While watching the London Marathon on TV that year, she felt an overwhelming sense that this was her next step - a way to celebrate her beautiful sister Rebecca.
“During a family holiday to New York in 2024, it became a bit of a running joke that Rebecca could only ever finish half a meal and needed the toilet what felt like every five minutes. Rebecca also complained of feeling bloated all the time. A month later our worlds were turned upside down when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
“Rebecca was facing something we couldn’t make better for her. We watched on helplessly, trying to support her the best we could knowing that no words would comfort her or take away the pain. Two years later and Rebecca is a stronger person for having been through this journey. We could not be prouder of how she has coped throughout and continues to do so.
I'm running this marathon to not only raise awareness of ovarian cancer and the symptoms, but to say to the world my sister is the best!
“I saw an advert in December 2024 for Target Ovarian Cancer’s Target 50 challenge and a little voice in my head said, “I can do that!” Fast forward to April 2025 watching the London Marathon on the TV and that little voice was calling again.
"I knew exactly who I wanted to run it for, my brave beautiful sister, and why I wanted to run it - to raise awareness and vital funds for Target Ovarian Cancer. People have been very generous donating, it’s hard to ask for money at a time when things are tough for many however I've been overwhelmed with the support and I’m so thankful.
“I can’t say it’s been a walk in the park, training has been tough to fit in around my two young children, work and a husband who works shifts. After completing a 23k run at the start of February I was buzzing, great distance and I still had lots of time left to keep training, however a small niggle in my ankle became a big one and I had to stop running for four weeks.
"I wasn’t where I wanted to be in terms of training before the race but in a world full of “did you get a good time?” I focused on “I had a good time” and raising awareness too.”
Meet Ben
Pilot Ben Harding ran in memory of his incredible mum, Felicity, who sadly passed away in 2017 after a terminal diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Thanks to some wonderfully generous donations Ben increased his fundraising target from £3,000 to £5,000 – and he surpassed that too!
“Just before her terminal diagnosis, Mum was training for an off-road trail marathon. Sadly, she was never able to complete that life goal, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. Even throughout endless rounds of chemotherapy, she kept running whenever she could. It was her way of staying strong and hopeful.
"Her positivity never wavered – she inspired everyone with her strength, warmth and refusal to give in. I was lucky enough to run with her a few times over the years. One cherished memory is doing a local run with her and dad.
Running the London marathon was my way of finishing what she started, and honouring the joy, resilience, and courage she brought to every step of her journey and to the family and friends around her.
“It’s also always been this amazing feat of endurance that has appealed to me. The individual challenge of running a marathon when it’s just you, no teammates to cover up if you make a mistake, is one that I wanted to take on.
"To be completely frank I had a love hate relationship with training. It was hard fitting it in around work as I’m always away travelling or at home doing washing and repacking my suitcase! I enjoyed the challenge of discipline though, and going running with colleagues in places I never would have if it wasn’t for the training.
“The fundraising side of all this has allowed me to help other families affected and that's just as important as finishing the race. I would say for anyone just getting started it helps to share a personal story.
"Also, don't be afraid to keep asking as you never know who will donate. It's been so moving to see how much people have donated. Some people who didn’t know mum personally have still donated because of how fondly I talk about her.”
Meet Helen
Helen Bond was diagnosed with ovarian cancer just over a year ago, only finishing chemotherapy in September 2025. Training was tough but having always wanted to run the London Marathon, a chance to take part whilst raising awareness for a cause close to her heart was too good an opportunity to miss.
“I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in January 2025, which was a huge shock but fortunately it was caught early. I had very few symptoms, but the main one that caused me to get checked was regular vaginal bleeding (every 10 days or so).
"At the time I was probably the fittest and healthiest I'd been. I was diagnosed with Stage 1 ovarian cancer after they found a grade three 8cm tumour on my right ovary. I had surgery to remove the ovary which was followed up by a full hysterectomy in the March. Due to the grade of my cancer, I had to undergo six cycles of chemotherapy as well.
“I’ve since learnt that many people are not diagnosed at this stage and there's no national screening test. I've always wanted to run the London marathon, having tried the ballot a number of times.
I thought it might be a good time to try and run it for a charity that hits close to home, whilst raising awareness of ovarian cancer – especially in younger people – and some of the symptoms that can help lead to early detection.
“Training was tough as I only finished my chemotherapy in September last year. I managed to run very small distances whilst having treatment, but it was quite exhausting.
"Six months on, it was still challenging but it finally started to get a little easier. It's been a reminder that the body does need time to recover but it’s been great to have a goal to work towards.
“I think I’ve been very lucky with the fundraising, being able to share my own story on social media and with those I’ve met on training runs. People have been very generous and I’m delighted to have exceeded the £3,000 target for Target Ovarian Cancer.”
Meet Lewis
After getting a ballot place for this year, Lewis ran the London Marathon for the second time. This time in honour of his mum, Janet, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2014. Thanks to early diagnosis she's now living cancer free and was there in the crowd cheering him on all the way.
“Back in April 2014, my lovely mum, Janet, had been feeling a bit “off” for a few weeks - she had some bloating and said her bladder had become more overactive than usual.
"At first, she thought it might be just a urine infection, but thankfully she trusted her instincts and went to get it checked out. She was diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer in June 2014. It was obviously a huge shock, but we were incredibly lucky it had been caught early.
Mum’s been cancer-free for seven years now, which still feels amazing to say.
“I hadn’t heard much about ovarian cancer before, and definitely didn’t know what the symptoms were. It was only after mum was diagnosed that I started reading up on it and realised how important awareness is - especially because the symptoms can be quite vague and easy to dismiss. That’s when I first came across Target Ovarian Cancer and started to understand the work they do.
“This was my second London Marathon. I ran it for the first time in 2025 after losing my dad to pancreatic cancer, so it already means a lot to me. When I got a ballot place this year, it just felt right to run for Target Ovarian Cancer after everything mum’s been through.
"The marathon is such a huge platform to raise awareness and funds, and this time it felt even more personal - especially knowing she was there cheering me on.
“Mum’s cancer was caught early, and not everyone gets that chance. Even so, she still had to go through major surgery and months of chemotherapy - and seeing that up close really stays with you.
"Mum doesn’t always find it easy to talk about her experience, but she always says that if sharing her story helps even one person recognise the signs and go to their doctor sooner, then it’s worth it.
"For me, that’s a big part of why I ran. When it got tough, I thought about her, about my dad, about everyone affected by cancer. And having her there - after everything she’s been through - cheering me on at the London Marathon meant everything.
Our biggest London Marathon team
“There’s so much to celebrate! This year, our London Marathon charity places tripled from 10 to 30, a huge step forward not only in raising awareness, but in the impact we can have for everyone affected by ovarian cancer,” explained Rachel Mendez, Senior Events Fundraiser for Target Ovarian Cancer.
Because of this, we’ve also achieved our biggest London Marathon team to date, with 44 brilliant participants taking part, whether through the ballot or a charity place. Together, they’ve raised a phenomenal £149,548 to date – the highest total our London Marathon team has ever achieved and one that will make a meaningful difference.
“Training for a marathon comes with its highs and lows, especially through the colder winter months, but I’ve been so inspired by the team’s commitment – from early morning runs to the creativity and energy behind their fundraising.
"What’s really stood out is how they’ve supported each other along the way. Being there to cheer them on at Tower Bridge, one of the most iconic points of the course, is always a highlight – seeing all that hard work come together and celebrating with them and their loved ones is incredibly special.
“We’re so grateful to everyone who took part and supported from the side lines. It’s a powerful reminder of everything that’s possible when people come together with purpose and determination.”
If you’ve been inspired by this year’s London Marathon and are looking to take on a challenge, then please get in touch. There are so many events still to come this year, including the Great North Run, the Manchester Half Marathon and the Royal Parks Half Marathon.
