Tom Kingsbury

My Story

London’s Calling

In April 2025, I’m running the TCS London Marathon to raise money for Asthma + Lung UK, the only UK charity that fights for everyone’s right to breathe.

Why now?

Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

My partner developed Asthma after a serious illness in 2023 which completely tore apart her own running journey for an entire year - at the absolute height of her physical conditioning, Asthma took away all her goals and ambitions in an instant. 

My dad in his late fifties was finally diagnosed with Asthma after years of missed opportunities by medical professionals - in September 2022, I watched him almost suffocate to death on the bathroom floor - that resulted in a two week hospital stay and diagnosis. That particular episode started while helping me glue together a running medal shelf, a simple task that is particularly poignant to this journey. 

Personally, I’ve had Asthma since I was an infant, I had periods in my life where it has been dormant but lung issues always factor into every day decision making. Two of my biggest interests require constant lung consideration - woodworking and running. 

Running especially requires constant caution, in races or events, having to hold back and manage breathing, keeping an inhaler with me which gets a lot of use during the winter particularly on hill climbs during cross country races.

Not being able to run to my full potential is something I accepted early on in my running adventure, it has never stopped me wanting to improve and be the best I can be. I am one of the lucky ones and I try to remember every day - I have the freedom and ability to run, move and experience amazing things, highs, lows, pain and euphoria.

I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world to take part in marathons and made memories which last forever. So I’m joining the fight, and running London for someone else this time, while I still have the ability too.