Eliska Mala

I’ll be taking on the TCS London Marathon 2026 as part of #TeamStroke, and this run means more to me than any finish time ever could.

Seven years ago, my grandad suffered a stroke. Not long after, we lost him. There isn’t a single day that passes where I don’t think about him, about who he was, what he meant to me, and how deeply his absence is still felt. Running doesn’t scare me. Pain doesn’t scare me. Losing him did. And that’s something I’ll carry with me every step of the way to the finish line.

My grandad was fearless in a way I can only admire. Through his work at the airport, he jumped from planes wearing a parachute at a time when the equipment was far less advanced than it is today. Parachuting back then demanded real courage, every jump meant trusting your training and facing the unknown head-on. He did it anyway. When I think about that kind of bravery, running 42km feels small in comparison. Every mile I run is inspired by the courage he showed without hesitation.

This marathon isn’t about being fast, because I’m not. It’s not even about loving running, because some days I really don’t. It’s about purpose. It’s about honouring my grandad’s memory and turning something heartbreaking into something meaningful.

Stroke is also something I see far too closely through my mum. She works as a nurse in a specialist hospital unit caring for people after stroke. Every day, she looks after survivors who are fighting to rebuild their lives and the heartbreaking reality is that many of them are younger than me. Stroke doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t wait for old age. It can change everything in an instant.

I’m running because I believe in life after stroke. I believe that with the right care, support, and research, people can rebuild, recover, and find hope again. Sadly, my grandad wasn’t strong enough to get that second chance,  but so many others can, and they deserve it.

Every mile I run is for those still fighting.
Every step is for the families learning to adapt.
Every donation is a step towards a better future after stroke.

I’m running to raise money to help rebuild lives affected by stroke, because even though my grandad couldn’t be saved, others can be helped.

This one’s for you, Grandad.
I’ll carry you with me all the way to the finish line 🤍💜