Sergio and David entered the 2025 TCS London Marathon to raise money for projects set up in their daughters' memory, raising thousands of pounds.
Sergio raised money for Alice’s WonderDance Foundation, with the contributions helping to fund a new playground, stage and library at Churchtown Primary School, which his daughter attended. David’s fundraising efforts were for Elsie's Story, a charitable trust that makes grants to assist young people and support others in the Southport area.
After making their marathon debuts at the 2025 event, the pair are returning to take on the 2026 TCS London Marathon tomorrow where they will run side by side. In between, Sergio has completed five other Abbott World Marathon Major events in Berlin, Chicago, New York City, Tokyo and Boston.
Today, they were at the 2026 TCS London Marathon which they were taking part in alongside their daughters’ primary school friends and where they were presented with the Spirit of London Marathon Awards.
The awards were created in 2018 to celebrate individuals who reflect the unique spirit of the event and to highlight their extraordinary stories.
“I feel very proud to get this award,” said David. “Since we ran the London Marathon last year the schools have taken it as a personal mission to get the children to run. There is now a colour run at Farnborough Road Primary School, and they are constantly encouraging the kids to get out and exercise.
“Seeing Elsie’s friends run and know they have been on a journey to get here makes it very special. Taking part in the TCS Mini London Marathon is the result of those efforts and I really hope they enjoy it as much as I will.”
Sergio said he was surprised to receive the Award, adding his joy for running has flourished over the last year.
“I spoke to my wife and I just said wow,” he said. “I run for my daughter to take her legacy and spread her magic and when I received this, I couldn’t believe it. It means a lot and it is a gift from my princess for us.
“It is very emotional being here, but these are inspirational children and I feel proud that we can be here as part of that group.”
Sergio will receive his Abbott World Marathon Majors six-star medal at the 2026 TCS London Marathon, having completed the other events in the past 12 months. He said it will be an emotional ending to that journey, having run the Boston Marathon just a week ago.
“I have done a lot of running in the last 12 months but at the same way it is my therapy,” he said. “I do this to take my stress away and it clears my mind and gives me a bit of time for myself. I do it for myself but mainly for Alice’s WonderDance Foundation and I will keep doing it as long as I can.”
The Spirit of London Marathon Award permits winners a place for life, and David has plans to keep running the event until a landmark birthday.
“I have a plan to run the London Marathon every year until Elsie’s youngest sister is 18 and then I would love to run it with her. She is only five so there will be a lot of running before I can pass the baton over to her!”
“Running it every year will be a pleasure. I am doing it this year with Dave and I am just looking forward to doing it with my friend and taking in the crowds and atmosphere.”
Previous winners of the Spirit of London Marathon Award include the first-ever winners of the London Marathon, Dick Beardsley and Inge Simonsen, who famously crossed the Finish Line hand in hand, and, in 2025, Lloyd Martin, the youngest person with Down’s syndrome to complete a marathon, and Anthony Bryan, who achieved the fastest time in a marathon by a male with hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body).