More than 50 runners are running the London Marathon in support of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) on 26 April 2026.
Amongst them is Steve Bragg, who reflects on his life being saved by RNLI lifeguards, who this year are celebrating their 25th year of service. In May 2025, Steve and his family were holidaying in Woolacombe, Devon. Steve recalls how the waves were choppy that day, but didn’t appear to be a cause for concern. Steve ultimately became caught in a rip current.
Steve said: ‘We were having fun at first. Within 30 seconds, I realised we were in trouble. I couldn’t touch the bottom anymore and I had been dragged out further into the sea. We were all panicking.’
A nearby bodyboarder helped Steve’s niece to safety. Steve and his father-in-law started screaming for help, catching the attention of a surfer who alerted RNLI lifeguards.
‘I was swimming against the current and I was close to giving up,’ Steve added. ‘I thought we wouldn’t make it – I couldn’t see anyone. I had the thought that I was probably going to die there. Then I heard the jet skis coming over, and a lifeguard on a rescue board helped me get back to shore.’
Also taking on the challenge, James Medcalf is running the marathon both in memory of his father and as a way to thank the RNLI for their ongoing support. James’ father, Steve Medcalf, passed away in 2022. Steve was a devoted crew member of the Withernsea RNLI station in Yorkshire, and served as a lifeboat operations manager. By 2022, Steve had given 24 years of unwavering service to the RNLI.
James said: ‘The support the RNLI gave me and my whole family was brilliant. I thought, “I am going to join up to the RNLI now, instead of my plan for a few years’ time.’
Now three years since he joined, James is a trainee navigator for Withernsea RNLI. He volunteers alongside the same crew as his late father did.
Having started her running journey 18 months ago, Raema Croy is also training for the London Marathon. She is running in memory of her father, who died at age 49 in 2021. Magnus Croy was a beloved member of the Kirkwall RNLI crew in Scotland and spent 14 years volunteering for the RNLI.
Raema said: ‘[The RNLI] just became a total passion of his and, because it was his passion, it became my passion as well. I think he set a record one time when his pager went off at about 2.00am. He’d managed to get changed and drive down to the station in two and a half minutes. We lived a four-minute drive away!’
Raema accepted Magnus’ posthumously awarded record of service on his behalf, recognising his involvement in saving nine lives.
Raising more than £13,000, married couple Leigh and Harriet McCann will also be at the starting line. They have volunteered with the RNLI for more than 20 years. Leigh was awarded the Bronze Medal for Gallantry for a challenging rescue in 2021, where he and his crew saved a surfer who was in difficulty.
Thinking ahead to marathon day, Harriet said: ‘Your mind will give up before your body does. We just have to take it one step at a time.’
Volunteer RNLI crew Dan Sinclair will be running the marathon, alongside his friend Nathan Siddans, and will be tackling the challenge in full RNLI kit. Dan, who has volunteered at Walmer RNLI lieboat station for 18 years, said: ‘We’ve been blown away by the support so far.’
Nathan added: ‘Training has been tough, especially in the windy and wet conditions and wearing all the gear, but the support we’ve received has kept us going.’
Jayne George, Chief Fundraising and Communications Officer, said: ‘We are honoured that these courageous runners have chosen to fundraise for the RNLI. As a charity that relies solely on donations, the work we do is simply not possible without people like them. We thank them for helping us continue our mission of saving lives at sea, which we have been doing for over 200 years. We are wishing them the very best for the Marathon Day and we will be cheering them to the finish line.’
