Meet the runners from Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury, Ipswich and Stowmarket to cheer for during London Marathon 2025
Suffolk runners are lacing up their trainers and heading to the London Marathon starting line – here’s who you will want to cheer for along the way.
The 26.2-mile race kicks off today, with full coverage on the BBC from 8.30am and the general race starting at 9.35am.
Among the thousands taking part are inspiring runners from across the county — including from Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury, Ipswich and Stowmarket — who are all running for causes close to their hearts.
Here’s who to look out for, the reasons behind their efforts and how you can support them:
Liza Putwain — Running for Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust
After a life-changing accident on an obstacle course left her with a broken neck, Liza Putwain is running the marathon to thank the Addenbrooke’s medical team she says saved her life.
The mum-of-three, who lives just outside Bury St Edmunds, was taking part in the obstacle course challenge to honour her late husband when when she was flipped from one of the obstacles — resulting in surgery at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge.
Now a film studies teacher at Abbeygate Sixth Form, she is hoping to give back by raising funds for the hospital.
To donate to her cause, click here.
Sam Richardson and George Codling — Running for Teenage Cancer Trust
Sudbury runners Sam Richardson and George Codling are running in memory of 20-year-old Isabelle Richardson, known as Izzy, who died from Ewing sarcoma just five months after her diagnosis.
Izzy, a much-loved bar staff member at The Cock Horse Inn, in Lavenham, had dreams of becoming a dental hygienist.
Her mum Sam, 58, and Izzy’s boyfriend, George, are raising funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust, which supported the family.
To donate to Sam’s fund-raising page, click here, or to donate to George’s fund-raising page, click here.
Sarah Wootton and Jeff Hicks – Running for Myeloma UK and Brain Research UK
Sarah Wootton and Jeff Hicks, who work together at UK Power Networks in Ipswich, are running in memory of Dean Wootton — Sarah’s husband and Jeff’s best friend — who died in 2023 from myeloma, a rare blood cancer.
The pair say they are ready for the challenge and grateful to their colleagues who have backed their fund-raising so far.
To donate to Sarah’s fund-raising page, click here, or to donate to Jeff’s fund-raising page, click here.
Adie Doe — Running for Kidney Care UK
Adie Doe, a well-known Bury barber, is taking on his first full marathon today after donating a kidney for his sister six years ago.
Through a pairing scheme, Adie’s kidney went to a stranger, while his sister, Lynn Charles, received one from a better matched donor.
Since then, Adie has taken up running and completed several half marathons — all while running Adie’s Barber Shop, in St Andrew's Street North.
Follow this link for his fund-raising page.
Allan Baldwin — Running for Breakthrough T1D
Alongside his friend Adie, self-employed roof tiler Allan Baldwin is finally heading to the start line after 12 years of trying to secure a ballot place.
The father-of-two from Bury is running in support of Breakthrough T1D, a charity dedicated to type 1 diabetes research – a cause close to his heart as his nephew, Harry, lives with the condition and one of his daughter’s close friends has also recently been diagnosed.
Running the London Marathon has long been Allan’s dream and now he’s making it a reality for a cause that means so much to his family.
Allan and Adie have travelled to London together – and you can show Allan your support by donating to his fund-raising page here.
Hayley Peters — Running for National Deaf Children's Society
Hayley Peters, a mum-of-three from Buxhall, near Stowmarket, is running in support of the charity that helped her family through her son Buzz’s early hearing loss.
Buzz was born with blockages in both ears and spent the first three years of his life unable to hear. His hearing was successfully restored last year and he is now preparing to start at Great Finborough Primary School in September.
This will be Hayley’s second consecutive London Marathon as last year she raised £3,000 for the school which her other two children attend — however, today she is running for the National Deaf Children's Society, which supported them through Buzz’s journey.
To donate to Hayley’s cause, click here.
Dave Hennessey — Running for The Sue Ryder Foundation
For AFC Sudbury general manager Dave Hennessey, today’s marathon will be his last — and he’s determined to make it count.
Taking on the challenge for the third and final time, Dave has previously raised money for children’s cancer charities, inspired by his own personal battle with cancer. Now he’s running in support of The Sue Ryder Foundation, which provides compassionate palliative care and bereavement support.
As he prepares to hang up his running shoes for good, Dave is going all out to end his marathon journey on a high.
You can contribute to his cause by visiting his fund-raising page here.
Chloe Riches - Running for Spinal Research
Chloe Riches, a reception teacher at Great Heath Academy, in Mildenhall, is hitting the London pavements in support of Spinal Research – a cause with personal meaning for the 25-year-old.
After undergoing four spinal surgeries, Chloe has only recently taken up running and is now a member of the Moreton Hall Runners club.
Her resilience and determination to complete the marathon are driven by a first-hand understanding of the challenges faced by those with spinal injuries.
She’s ready to push herself all the way to the finish line and you can donate to Chloe’s fund-raising page by clicking here.
Stuart Hansord — Running for The MS Society
Stuart Hansord, owner of the Midgar Café in St John’s Street, Bury, is lacing up his running shoes in support of The MS Society.
Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in his early 20s, Stuart is passionate about giving back as research funded by charities granted him early access to a life-changing treatment trial.
Through the marathon, he is hoping to say thank you. Though the training has been demanding, Stuart says the chance to raise awareness and funds is incredibly rewarding.
You can support his marathon effort by following this link to his fund-raising page.
Good luck to everyone taking on today’s marathon — all of us at SuffolkNews are rooting for you.
