Meet the runners going the distance to end alcohol harm

We had teams totaling 175 runners taking on the Paris Marathon and London Landmarks Half Marathon on the same day, followed by the London Marathon across in-person and virtual formats. The commitment, energy and generosity from everyone involved was fantastic to see.

Thanks to our incredible runners and all of their supporters, we raised an amazing £107,000 from our April events, vital funds that will make a real and lasting difference to the work we do. Behind every mile run this April is a personal story and a shared determination to create change. From people who’ve changed their own relationship with alcohol to those running in memory of loved ones, each runner brings a powerful reason for going the distance for Alcohol Change UK. Here are just a handful of those inspiring stories from this year’s London Landmarks Half Marathon:

Elin's story: "I want to show young adults, like me, that you can live a happy and fulfilling life without alcohol.”

Two years ago, Elin started drinking more alcohol alone at home to cope with stress and anxiety. While she didn’t feel she hit a rock bottom, she believed she was heading down a slippery slope with alcohol and chose to give an alcohol‑free life a go.

At the same time as making this decision, Elin trained for the 2024 London Landmarks Half Marathon. Having this to channel her focus and energy into helped her overcome many of the challenges she faced in early sobriety.

Now, two years alcohol‑free, running and fitness have become healthier coping mechanisms for daily stresses and anxieties, instead of turning to alcohol. Elin ran the London Landmarks Half Marathon again for Alcohol Change UK in 2026.

She said: “Early sobriety was a challenging time; I was only a few months into my PhD and had a lot of work and stress in those first few months. I had just moved to a new city and taking on the stresses of a PhD was an overwhelming experience. It was also difficult to navigate the transition to an alcohol-free life while also being part of social events with other students and making new friends. I was afraid of the judgement and questions from other people and them viewing me in a negative light.

“Knowing I needed to wake up the next morning to train for the half marathon helped me recentre my focus and keep going with my sobriety journey. I’m keen to support others who might also be questioning the role alcohol plays in their lives and help raise awareness of the harms caused by alcohol. Being able to do this by running a race for a charity that is incredibly close to my heart and use my passion for running and fitness is such a fantastic opportunity.”

Elin's fundraising page

Holly's story: “Running is my therapy. It’s who I was before drinking. It’s everything I love.”

“My drinking escalated so quickly in my mid-20s. Before I knew it, I was dependent on alcohol and my life was spiralling. I lost my spark entirely, wouldn’t shower for weeks and had no social life, mainly because I couldn’t leave the house without a bottle of wine with me because I’d start experiencing physical withdrawals. It was absolutely exhausting and alcohol had stripped away my health, my hope and the pieces of myself I thought I’d never get back.”

After being told during a visit to A&E she had only six months to live, should she continue down the path she was on, Holly went into a residential treatment facility for a month. Holly is now approaching three years alcohol-free and has turned her own experience into a career as a support worker for Change Grow Live, while living life to the full and throwing herself into running and fitness.

Holly said: “I’d also always been sporty and keeping fit was a big part of my life – but I lost that completely when I was drinking. Alongside getting my job with CGL, I started running again and it’s become key to my ongoing maintenance of my health, wellbeing and sobriety. Living with my mum and my dog, I plan my whole week around my long runs – it's the only time I’m on my own and it’s like therapy for my mind and body. It reminds me I can do hard things and, while running might be uncomfortable, it’s nothing compared to the physical and mental pain and torture I went through with my drinking.

“I’m proud to be supporting Alcohol Change UK and the team’s work to tackle alcohol harm.”

Holly's fundraising page

Liz and Lily: mother and daughter running together to tackle alcohol harm

Mother-daughter duo Liz and Lily ran the Landmarks Half Marathon together to raise money for Alcohol Change UK, with the charity’s mission to end alcohol harm mirroring Liz’s own purpose in her career in the NHS.

As a qualified liver nurse, Liz looks after a large cohort of patients with alcohol related liver disease and liver cirrhosis secondary to alcohol, monitoring and assessing their progress and risk over time. Her team also delivers training across the Trust across alcohol screening, brief interventions and advice, challenging stigma and promoting non-judgemental care and better awareness of available support.

Liz said: “Throughout my career in the NHS I’ve seen the very real impact of alcohol harm on individuals, their families and loved ones. We see the scale and complex nature of alcohol harm every single day, and at all stages. Thousands of lives are lost every year due to alcohol, and we would like to raise awareness of this fact and highlight the importance of getting help - plus support a charity who's committed to ending alcohol harm.”

Her daughter Lily is also pursuing a career in healthcare, currently in her final year of a master's degree in pharmacy.

Lily said: “I am so proud of my mum for all the hard work she puts into her career and for her amazing fitness journey over the last year. Fundraising for a charity that is close to her journey as a nurse and running the LLHM with her is an honour.”

Liz and Lily's fundraising page

Frankie's story: “Alcohol harm doesn’t just affect the individual – it affects the whole family.”

Frankie took on the 2026 London Landmarks Half Marathon for Alcohol Change UK in memory of her mum, Emma.

“I was 17 when my mum passed away,” she said. “Alcohol was always something she struggled with and something I was very aware of.”

After struggling with alcohol for many years and achieving a six-month period of sobriety in 2021, Emma drank again and sadly took her own life that December.

Frankie remembers her mum as “the kindest person ever,” always supporting charities: “While I was too young to go along, she often took my sister Georgie to homeless shelters or food banks, laden with big batch cooks she’d made for those in need. She was always doing things for others, and I really want to continue that legacy and do what I can to honour her.”

By running the London Landmarks Half Marathon for Alcohol Change UK, Frankie helped raise awareness of alcohol harm and funds to support others. Raising more than £4,000, she was among the event’s top fundraisers.

Frankie's fundraising page

Emily's story: "I’ve watched my mum rebuild herself.”

Growing up, Emily watched her mum, Jayne, battle with her relationship with alcohol - until things turned a corner in 2015.

“There were moments when I felt like I lost mum completely. The person who was meant to protect and guide me was still there physically, but addiction created a distance I didn’t yet have the words to explain. But, on the 12th of April 2015, mum woke up and made the incredible decision to reach out for help.

“My beautiful mum has also been able to help and support people through their recovery, making them realise that it is truly possible to turn their life around. Mum, you fought your way back to us, and to yourself, and I am so incredibly proud of the woman you are.”

Exactly 11 years later, Emily ran the London Landmarks Half Marathon with a friend, raising money for Alcohol Change UK. Her mum was there to cheer her on with their family and friends.

Mum Jayne said: “When Emily told me she had signed up for this run, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride - and not just because of the fundraising. I remember when she first ran her 5k. I thought, ‘Wow, Em has really worked hard for that.’ But when she told me the charity she had chosen, and we realised the date, the significance of it all stopped us in our tracks.

“This is what change can do. It doesn’t just rebuild one life - it ripples outward, touching everyone around it.”

Emily's fundraising page

A huge thank you to everyone who has taken part, donated, shared and cheered our runners on.

If you are feeling inspired, we still have places available for some brilliant upcoming events including the Great North Run and Royal Parks Half Marathon this autumn. Find out more.

Not a runner? Our Anti-Running Marathon Challenge is all about commitment, not miles. There are no rules, just choosing something you’ll stick with for your own personal “marathon”.

Pick your challenge, your way: learn something new, get creative, try comedy, or even dance your way through it! The challenge is simply to keep going.

If you would like to get involved or have any questions, you can also get in touch by emailing [email protected].