GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE RUNNERS COMPETING IN THE LONDON MARATHON 2025 IN AID OF RACING WELFARE!

This Sunday (27th April) ten intrepid runners will take to the streets of the capital, to tackle the 26.2 mile course of the TCS London Marathon 2025 – all in aid of Racing Welfare.

We’re incredibly grateful to all of our runners, and their supporters, for the dedication they have shown so far to get them ready for the start line. Racing Welfare is the only charity that supports all of racing’s people – including stud, stable and racecourse staff, alongside those working in associated professions, so it’s fitting that many of our runners work in the industry.

Erin Boswell, General Commercial Manager at Thirsk Racecourse, is a single mum of two and is looking forward to running the London Marathon to inspire her children and raise funds to say thank you for the Racing Welfare support she has received. Suffering a knee injury in 2023 resulting in a torn anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament, Erin received support from Racing Welfare to get a diagnosis and treat the injury. She has also benefitted from welfare officer support and Home Energy and Back to School financial grants.

Erin said: “I’m so grateful of all those who have already sponsored me. Racing Welfare supports everyone involved in this industry and many don’t realise that. Racing Welfare were invited to talk to our staff at Thirsk this season at our pre-season meeting and a lot were surprised at how inclusive their support is. I’m proud that my involvement has helped to share awareness and hopefully my own fundraising can help give something back too.

“I am looking forward to coming home and showing my kids my medal. They love being heathy and I know that by being active I inspire them to do anything they set their hearts on, no matter how challenging it can be. They often talk about how they want to run marathons and get medals when they are older.”

Ross Birkett, online sales and marketing coordinator at Tattersalls, is looking forward to taking part with his friend, amateur rider, Fletcher Yarham.

Ross set the Guinness World record for fastest marathon dressed as a jockey in 2014 in a time of 3.08. This was broken in 2019 by 30 seconds, so he’s taking part again, not only to try and claim the record back, but also to raise funds for Racing Welfare which supported him through injury.

Ross said: “I’m running the London Marathon for Racing Welfare as they are a very important charity to those who work in the industry and they helped me find treatment when I struggled with chronic back pain. Training has been going well and I’m looking forward to the big day with the crowds and the atmosphere.”

Fletcher added: “I’ve worked full-time in horseracing for 10 years, it’s my main passion in life and it’s great to give something back to the sport I love. The thing I’m looking forward to most on the day is the finish line!”

Good luck to our ten runners: Erin Boswell, Ross Birkett, Fletcher Yarham, Ben Halsall, Dominic Toole, Alex Cowell, John Gladwin, Courtney Haugen, Jemima Sanderson and Stephanie Swanney.

To find out more about our runners, and to sponsor their dedicated efforts, please visit: https://racingwelfare.co.uk/challenges-archive/tsc-london-marathon-2025/