Andy Leung

I'm taking part in the TCS London Marathon 2026 as part of #TeamStroke

There are over 1.4 million stroke survivors in the UK, with around 100,000 strokes happening every year — that’s one every five minutes.

Life can change in an instant.

My life changed forever on 21st May 2024, shortly after returning from an early evening jog with my daughter. Twelve hours later, after being admitted to hospital, I was told I had suffered a stroke the night before.

For the next three weeks, I was fed through a tube. I had limited mobility, constant dizziness and pain throughout my body. In those early days, I didn’t fully understand what had happened or how deeply the stroke would affect me. All I could focus on was getting better — believing that once I could eat and drink again, everything would return to normal.

It didn’t.

The weeks and months after leaving hospital were some of the hardest of my life. They were filled with fear, anxiety, anger and hopelessness. Even the simplest things became difficult. I went from being active to walking with a stick and becoming breathless after short distances, slowly relearning how to move forward again — physically and mentally.

The stroke didn’t just affect me. It affected my wife, my children, my family, friends and colleagues. I am forever grateful for the love and support they showed me — the messages, calls, visits, walks and quiet moments of company. Some went above and beyond, driving me to countless hospital appointments and rehabilitation sessions. You know who you are 🙏

At first, I needed someone with me just to leave the house. Then I managed short walks to the park on my own. Eventually, I found the courage to return to one of passions; running/parkrun — starting by walking, then walk/jogging, stopping when I needed to.

Step by step, those moments added up. What once felt impossible slowly became achievable: 1km, 2km, 5km, 10km, a half marathon. Every step came with pain — and still does.

Now, just two years on, after facing my darkest days, learning to live with constant pain, and rebuilding myself both physically and mentally, I am in a position to take on the London Marathon again.

This marathon is more than a run — It’s about resilience, recovery, and proving that life after stroke can still hold hope and purpose.

The Stroke Association played a vital role in helping me rebuild my confidence and find my voice again.

Please support them so they can continue helping stroke survivors and their families rebuild their lives — one step at a time.

#everystepmatters

#grateful

Thank you

Andy

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My updates

Class of 2026😍

Wednesday 29th Apr

London Marathon 2026!

Wednesday 29th Apr

What a fantastic and unforgettable day seeing the massive support and love spread right across the course, truly humble and grateful to experience the greatest marathon in the world again, on the day the male elites broke the WR.

Friends, family and ESM clubmates were out in force in the gorgeous weather. It definitely got emotional seeing each and everyone.

From self doubt at the start of training to gaining some confidence and self believe, each passing week was a learning experience and the incredible support got me through the training.

I stuck to my two central goals of consistency and patience, and was rewarded with improved fitness and health, and found happiness in what seemed like never ending early morning alarms and runs.

This marathon will be forever special and memorable, truly grateful for the opportunity and getting myself back up on my feet again.

This is just the beginning, I will continue to build on this foundation to test myself, Strava community will just have to tolerate my food pics indefinitely 😆

Final chip time 5:01:33😊

All the kit, no idea 😆

Saturday 25th Apr

We’re ready!

Saturday 25th Apr

Week 16- London Marathon 2026 26th April

Saturday 25th Apr

I’ve made it and the day has finally arrived! 4 months of training done, and a long run on Sunday to complete the mini comeback.

By the time some of you read this, I will have completed the marathon with a huge grin on my face and a medal around my neck.

Again, the last 4 weeks have flown by since my last update at Week 12. We’ve had Easter, paid our respects visiting my mother-in-law at the cemetery, saw Arsenal get knocked out of two competitions, bought an iron, discovered muscles I never knew I had, and been discharged from the Neurology vocational rehabilitation department — finally free from hospital appointments after 2 years, which I hope to keep that way.

On the running front, my last long run of 9 miles a couple of weeks ago was relatively easy and went by without a hitch. I also recorded my fastest-paced run in Week 13: a 7-mile run with an average of 9 min/mile (5:36 per km). Consistency and patience in my training have definitely been key here, and I’ve shifted almost 5kg since Jan 2026.

To complement my training, I also started a 30-day plank challenge in late March, when I was only able to hold for 30 seconds before my body started shaking uncontrollably and I collapsed. Almost a month on, I’m now able to hold for 2:15, a big achievement for me 💪

Recently, I saw an interview with the GOAT, Kipchoge (fun fact: I managed a selfie with him at the Berlin Marathon in 2018, where he broke the WR with a time of 2:01). He said, “When you feel the pain, keep it there,” and “Run with a group.” This resonates a lot with me, even though I feel pain in every step, the support I’ve had from running with my Sunday crew, my club ESM, We Run Ealing, and of course the parkrun community means the pain feels less painful.

Coming to the end of the 2-week taper, full of eating (all credit to my lovely wife) and not very much running, feels like a reward for the graft over the last 4 months.

I’m feeling calm, just going through my pre-marathon routines. I’m glad I have the experience, so I’m not too nervous. I’ll soak up all the atmosphere and big support from friends and family along the way. This marathon will be an emotional and special one, especially when I cross the line.

My next and final update will be next week… when I can crawl out of bed 😊

Let’s go!

#Everystepmaters

Andy

12 weeks!

Sunday 29th Mar

The past four weeks have flown by since my last update. With 12 weeks of training now behind me and just four weeks remaining until the London Marathon, I wanted to share a few highlights from the past month.

I am so happy to have reached another key milestone by completing 12 weeks of training. Those early dark, cold, and wet mornings were tough, but they have paid off with improved fitness and mobility. I have also had a lot of fun along the way with my Sunday running crew and at track sessions.

Completing 18- and 20-mile runs was important for me—I would never have thought it possible. I guess those early mornings, and long weekend runs really do work.

Good news has finally come into my family—my wife and daughter have both secured jobs, which we celebrated with a few dinners. My son is also doing well down on the coast.

Catching up with friends from Newcastle and Dubai meant I could have some fun outside of training, with numerous parties, zero Guinness (of course!), and wolfing down delicious crispy chicken wings at my local Spoons (don’t knock it until you try 😆).

I also had the joy of hosting my cousin and family, as well as my brother-in-law, during their trips to London. Doing touristy things reminded me that London is a decent place to visit.

Heading into the last month, my goals remain the same: stay healthy and consistent—the rest will take care of itself.

Big shout-out to my wife, my unofficial coach, nutritionist, chauffeur, logistics manager, and part-time physio 😊—quietly working behind the scenes by prepping meals, meeting me at work on those run to work mornings, driving and supporting me in training runs and races😘

A little side note: I recently had the pleasure of starting a 20mile run with a lady named Jenny, who also suffered a major health scare with multiple injuries—some permanent and long-lasting. It took her five years (and is still ongoing) to go from being bedbound and unable to walk to running marathons again. I was truly inspired by her grit, resilience, and determination in her recovery and approach to life. Anything is possible if we put our minds to it. Thank you, Jenny.

Hopefully, next time I will be sharing my marathon completion, medal, and more stories.

Onwards,

Andy

29/03/2026

Training update

Thursday 26th Feb

Marathon training is going well. I’m now in week 8 of 16 — halfway through — and starting to feel fitter and stronger.

Over the past four weeks, I’ve completed two half marathons and kept up my regular parkrun ritual. I’m settling into the rhythm of run, eat, sleep, repeat. I’m still not quite used to the early morning starts to fit training in before work — or the super-early alarms on race days — but I’m getting there.

For now, it’s all about taking it steady, building strength, and staying consistent.

The goals are simple: complete the training block, make it to the start line in April, and finish the full 26.2 miles — one way or another.

Thank you for all the support, messages and donations, it means a lot!

Andy

Thank you to my sponsors

£150

Joseph Kwok

Add Oil! Good luck and what a great cause to run for!

£106

Must have hit the wrong button the first time:-) Looking forward to seeing you on scree!!!

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Gary Stringer

Good luck Andy

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Stephen And Caroline Plummer

Good luck Andy, your training is going great.

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Go get it Andy you got this.

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Nikki Baker

Well done Andy, an incredible achievement

Good luck Andy! You're truly an inspiration and I'm sure you'll make yourself and all of us proud. We'll be cheering you on!

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Mira

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Rohan Magon

Good luck uncle Andy!

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Sarfraz

best of luck

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Anonymous

lol i’m first

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Andy Leung

I'm taking part in the TCS London Marathon 2026 as part of #TeamStroke

Please help me reach my goal

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Class of 2026😍

London Marathon 2026!

All the kit, no idea 😆

We’re ready!

Week 16- London Marathon 2026 26th April

12 weeks!

Training update

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