One Marathon, Four Runners, One Cause Close to the Heart
On Sunday 26 April 2026, four runners will stand on the start line of the London Marathon wearing Myocarditis UK on their vests. For the charity, this moment represents something genuinely special as for the first time in many years, Myocarditis UK has secured four official marathon places, giving the charity a springboard to raise awareness and funds for myocarditis research.
The London Marathon is more than just a race. It’s a global event watched by millions, a celebration of endurance, community and purpose. Every year, runners take on the 26.2-mile course through the capital not just to challenge themselves, but to run for causes close to their hearts. In 2026, myocarditis will be one of those causes and that visibility matters.
Myocarditis is an inflammatory heart condition that often goes undetected,
particularly in young and otherwise healthy people. Symptoms can be vague or mistaken for minor illness, and the consequences can be devastating. For many families, the diagnosis comes too late. Myocarditis UK exists to change that by funding research, improving understanding and helping clinicians recognise the condition earlier.
Securing marathon places in 2026 marks an important step forward in our mission. It opens the door to new supporters, new conversations and vital fundraising that will directly support research and awareness initiatives. It also gives the charity an opportunity to tell its story in a very human way through the experiences of four individuals who have chosen to run not just for themselves, but for everyone affected by myocarditis.
Each of the runners taking on the marathon has their own motivation. Some have personal experience of myocarditis, while others have been affected through family or friends. What unites them is a willingness to commit months of training, resilience and determination to a cause that urgently needs greater recognition.
Over the coming weeks, Myocarditis UK will be sharing their journeys the early morning runs, the setbacks, the progress and the reasons that keep them going when training gets tough. These stories sit at the heart of what fundraising is really about: people supporting people and turning individual effort into collective impact.
The funds raised through the marathon will go directly towards myocarditis research and awareness. As a charity dedicated solely to this condition, Myocarditis UK channels donations into understanding causes, improving diagnosis and supporting long-term progress towards better treatments. Every mile run and every pound raised helps move that work forward.
There’s also something powerful about the timing. With more attention being paid to
heart health and inflammatory conditions, moments like this help keep myocarditis
part of the wider conversation. Seeing the charity represented on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages reinforces the message that this is a condition that deserves attention, funding and action.
Supporters will be able to get involved in many ways from sponsoring the runners and sharing their stories, to cheering them on as they pass some of London’s most recognisable landmarks. Marathon Day itself will be a celebration, but also a reminder of why the work continues long after the finish line is crossed.
For Myocarditis UK, 26 April 2026 isn’t just about four runners completing a marathon. It’s about taking a significant step forward as a charity amplifying a vital message and honouring everyone whose lives have been touched by myocarditis.
Those 26.2 miles will carry hope, determination and a shared commitment to a future where myocarditis is recognised earlier, treated more effectively and no longer a silent threat.