British Judo Members Take on the 2026 London Marathon
April 24, 2026
This weekend, as thousands prepare to take on the iconic London Marathon, members of the British Judo community will be among them—each carrying deeply personal motivations that go far beyond the finish line.
From running in a judogi to honouring loved ones, to Paralympic champions stepping into a new challenge, these athletes embody the spirit of resilience, remembrance, and community.
Running in Memory: Jessica Smithson’s Tribute in a Judogi
Jessica Smithson’s marathon effort is anything but ordinary. Taking on the 26.2-mile course in a full judo gi, she is doing so in memory of her grandfather, Phil Smithson—a revered figure within the British judo community.
Phil was, in Jessica’s words, “an absolute legend of the judo world.” He dedicated much of his life to the sport, competing actively and helping run a local club alongside his wife. His passion extended far beyond judo, having also competed in bodybuilding, triathlons, and marathons—always pushing his limits.
Jessica’s run is not only a tribute to his legacy but also a continuation of his charitable spirit. Following in his footsteps, she is raising funds for Guide Dogs, a cause he supported himself.
Adding a poignant and symbolic element to her challenge, Jessica will carry a flag bearing the names of loved ones remembered by donors—ensuring that her grandfather is joined in spirit by many others throughout the journey.
“If anything, I’d just like people to read the story and take a moment to remember my grandad and all the wonderful things he did,” she shared.
Jessica will continue fundraising until the end of May, extending the impact of her run well beyond race day.
If you would like to support Jessica, her fundraising link can be found here
A Champion’s New Challenge: Chris Skelley Runs with His Sister
Tokyo Paralympic judo champion Chris Skelley is also taking on the London Marathon, stepping into a different kind of endurance challenge alongside his sister, Hannah.
Visually impaired since childhood, Skelley has achieved the pinnacle of sporting success in judo, including Paralympic gold. Now, he turns his focus to the marathon, motivated by a deeply personal cause.
Running in support of Fight for Sight, Chris and Hannah are raising awareness and funds for research into vision loss. Their story highlights the powerful role of family, resilience, and purpose—showing that every marathon runner truly does have a reason.
Running for Fight for Sight carries a strong sense of pride for them both:
“For me, it’s a huge honour,” Chris says. “I get to raise money for an amazing charity, but also I get to show what’s possible.” He also reflected on the wider impact of supporting the cause. “Fight for Sight is a fantastic charity that helps people to get the right support and get them on the way of achieving their goals.”
If you would like to support Chris and Hannah, their fundraising link can be found here
Turning Loss into Action: Samantha Chraniuk’s Mission
For Sam Chraniuk, Sunday’s marathon is about honouring her mother’s memory and raising awareness of a devastating disease.
Her mother passed away from ovarian cancer in 2018, just ten months after diagnosis. Now, Samantha is running to support Target Ovarian Cancer, a charity dedicated to improving early diagnosis, treatment, and support for those affected.
Through her efforts, Samantha hopes to shine a light on the importance of symptom awareness and life-saving early detection—ensuring fewer families face the same loss.
“Tapering has commenced…and I have morphed into a hypersensitive wreck. I wish someone had warned me. On the plus side I have surpassed my target of raising £3000 for Target Ovarian Cancer, which is amazing!”
If you would like to support Sam, her fundraising link can be found here
