“My stammer doesn’t define me — but running the London Marathon will. It’s a statement of strength, resilience, and the power of pushing past personal barriers.”
Joe, a Physiotherapy Technical Instructor working in adult mental health with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, is taking on the challenge of the London Marathon 2026 — one of the most prestigious and widely recognised running events in the world — to raise vital funds for Cardiff & Vale Health Charity.
In his role, Joe supports patients through therapeutic exercise, helping them build confidence, reduce anxiety, and improve their overall wellbeing. “Our gym isn’t about lifting the heaviest weights or chasing physical perfection,” Joe explains. “It’s about helping people feel better in themselves. Exercise gives structure to their day, boosts mood through endorphins, and reduces stress — it’s a powerful tool in mental health recovery.”
Joe sees the impact of the Health Charity’s work every day, from funding essential equipment to supporting ward environments. “I wanted to give something back,” he says. “Working in the NHS, I understand how crucial this funding is. Through the marathon, I hope to inspire others and show how working towards a goal can positively influence many areas of life.”
Joe’s journey is also deeply personal. Living with a stammer, he’s using this opportunity to raise awareness and encourage others with speech difficulties. “I want people to know that having a stammer doesn’t limit your potential. You can work in roles that involve communication, and you can take on big challenges. Running has helped me build confidence and connect socially — something many people with a stammer struggle with.”
Training is already underway. Joe currently runs three times a week, including 10K sessions, interval training, and longer runs to build endurance. As the marathon approaches, he’ll increase to five sessions weekly, incorporating tempo runs, long-distance efforts, and recovery runs. His target finish time is 3 hours and 45 minutes — a goal that demands consistency, discipline, and determination.
Balancing full-time work and intensive training isn’t easy, but Joe remains focused. “I’m more nervous about the training than the marathon itself,” he admits. “But I know the hard work will be worth it. I’m doing this for the charity, not just for myself.”
To boost fundraising, Joe is planning a charity circuit class and is documenting his training journey on social media — including TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook — with regular updates and plenty of coffee-fuelled motivation. “Coffee after a run is my ritual,” he laughs. “I’ve got great links with local coffee shops, and they’ve been really supportive.”
Every donation to Joe’s JustGiving page will help improve patient wellbeing and enhance the quality of care across Cardiff and Vale UHB. “It means so much to know people are behind me,” Joe says. “This is short-term difficulty for a long-term impact — and that’s what keeps me going.”
To support Joe’s marathon mission and Cardiff & Vale Health Charity, visit his fundraising page https://www.justgiving.com/page/joerunsforthenhs
Every donation turns Joe’s miles into meaning.