Beyond Radio boss, Lancaster MP, running rhino and giant medal all complete London Marathon 2025

The London Marathon always brings its fair share of local success stories and this year included one very close to home for Beyond Radio.

Steven Normyle, our managing director, completed the run on Sunday for a cause dear to his heart.

Steven ran the 45th edition of the world famous marathon through the streets of the capital, in aid of Brain Research UK.

Over the years more than a million people have completed the 26.2 mile course – which runs from Blackheath to The Mall, with a spectacular finish in front of Buckingham Palace,

Steven, who recently returned to Beyond Radio as our managing director, said: "Almost 10 years ago, my father required brain surgery to save his life after he developed life limiting symptoms due to a brain aneurysm.

"It had developed over a number of years, but its impact on his life quickly escalated.  

"Because of the position and shape of the aneurysm, he required what at that time was a very new, almost experimental procedure.  

"Less than 10 people had undergone the procedure he needed.

"Its success was far from guaranteed and to what extent it would afford him a normal life was measured in odds you wouldn't have ever chosen to bet against.  

"But life is precious, and survival without intervention was unlikely - any chance was therefore worth taking. 

"Thankfully, my father survived. But the road to recovery has been long, complicated and at times, felt endless.  Whilst he still struggles with some impacts of the brain injury left behind, he now lives a relatively normal, healthy life. A life that wouldn't have been possible without that life saving treatment. 

"That procedure wouldn't have been possible without the amazing work of brain injury research organisations working tirelessly to find new ways to treat some of the most complex issues that can exist for a human body.  

"He, and indeed we as a family, owe so much to this incredible group of researchers.  It is for that reason that I have chosen to support one of those organisations as I take on my London Marathon challenge in 2025."

WATCH Steven on Tower Bridge during Sunday's marathon.

More than £3000 has so far been raised at Steven's fundraising page.

You can donate HERE.

Cat Smith, MP for Lancaster & Wyre, was also among the London Marathon runners.

Cat said: "My legs feel like jelly but I'm delighted to have completed my third London Marathon, setting a new personal best and smashing the fundraising target raising more than £1100 for Bay Hospitals Charity.

"Thank you so much for all of your kind words and donations! It funds new equipment for newborn hearing tests, bladder scanners and hearing loops, supports reminiscence therapy for dementia patients, and creates new education and training facilities for nurses - allowing our local NHS services to go above and beyond the basics.

"Every penny makes a real difference in helping our local NHS staff go the extra mile to give excellent patient care."

You can donate to Cat's page HERE.

Other local runners included Kellie Clark from Heysham, who once again completed the marathon while dressed as a rhino.

This was the third consecutive year that mum-of-four Kellie had donned the heavy rhino costume, to raise money for Save the Rhino International.

In the 2022 event, Kellie earned herself a Guinness World Record when her time of four hours and 26 minutes made her the fastest woman ever to run the marathon dressed as a confectionery item!

Read more: VIDEO and INTERVIEW: Heysham's record-breaking rhino runner to appear on BBC's The One Show - Beyond Radio

So far more than £1600 has been raised at Kellie's page HERE.

The page says: "We believe rhinos are magnificent, in themselves and as champions of the incredible wild landscapes in which they live. And they are endangered. To thrive, both rhinos and people need a world that is healthy, diverse and resilient.

"Every day, Save the Rhino works with wonderful community of passionate friends, partners and supporters, to ensure that all five species of rhinos thrive in the wild."

Simon Couchman from Lancaster took part in his 50th marathon on Sunday, dressed as a giant medal to mark the occasion - and set a new Guinness World Record for fastest medal!

His fundraising page for Asthma and Lung UK, HERE has raised more than £2300 to date.

"I’m running the London Marathon '25 as my 50th and (final) marathon," he said.

"In 2004 I ran the London Marathon dressed as a Lobster for Asthma UK. Forty nine marathons later, I will be running the London Marathon one last time as my 50th (and final) marathon before I turn 50. And once again, I am delighted to be running it for Asthma (Asthma+Lung is the new name).

"As someone who as a child couldn’t even walk up the stairs, missed PE, and has struggled (and then managed) my asthma, I know how much Asthma affects everyday life but isn’t the barrier to a achieving your dreams as I was once told. 

"I’d be so very grateful for any donations you could make, any donations help Asthma+Lung provide potentially lifesaving help and advice."

Sally Wilkinson from Lancaster ran on behalf of the Samaritans of Lancaster & District, and has so far raised more than £13,000 at her page HERE.

Sally, who recently trained to become a Samaritan, said she had a "lovely chat" with TV fitness star Joe Wicks on the way round the course, and that she was "blown away" to raise more than £13,000 in just two weeks.

Johnny Stephenson from Bolton-le-Sands also ran the marathon on Sunday, for his daughter Alba.

"I'm supporting Nerve Tumours UK because their mission means a great deal to me," said Johnny on his fundraising page.

"They provide crucial support to people living with the Neurofibromatosis - the conditons that cause nerve tumours.

"Our little girl Alba was diagnosed with NF1 in July 2020, just in time for her birthday. Not many people know of the daily struggles she faces, she has a tumour which covers almost half of her back and is covered in cafe au lait birthmarks (her little patches).

"This condition means that she can grow tumours at any time on any part of her nervous system, these can be trouble free or life threatening, this is her daily lottery.

"This is just one of the many complications Alba deals with in her everyday life. She is currently waiting for an operation to remove as much of her existing tumour as they can.

"Obviously we were sideswiped with Alba’s diagnosis and her subsequent battle. We knew nothing about this disease or its many complications. Nerve Tumours UK have helped us get to grips with this and help Alba and our family understand what it entails, they have also supported school and help all of Alba’s friends understand.

"Alba takes all of this in her stride and always has a smile on her face and a cheery word for everyone, she truly is our little warrior.

"Alba has a constant challenge every day,  which puts the London Marathon to shame so please dig deep and help me drag my 44 year old dad bod 26.2 miles to help raise much needed funds so that Nerve Tumours UK can continue to support us and many many other families that desperately need it."

Johnny is pictured with wife Eneshia, Alba, her brother Rayfe and sister Blake.

You can donate to Johnny's page HERE.

If you are from the Lancaster and Morecambe Bay area, and ran the London Marathon 2025, please let us know!

Send us your photos, info and fundraising page link to newsdesk@beyondradio.co.uk