Meet Our SportsShoes & New Balance 2026 TCS London Marathon Runners

Introducing our SportsShoes & New Balance TCS London Marathon runners for 2026, three fast females with unique stories and a shared goal - all aiming to go sub-3 at their first ever London Marathons.

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Our sub-3 three come from a variety of running backgrounds but are uniting for their first ever London Marathon with ambitious goals.

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With a wide range of running experience, in distances covered, paces and years in the sport, Ellie Bradley, Inca Padfield and Nora Luxereau will need to lean on each other’s expertise to achieve their shared goal at the 2026 TCS London Marathon.

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Meet Ellie

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Ellie's running journey is built on resilience and determination. As a child, she lived with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, a rare condition that severely affected both of her ankles and meant she was unable to take part in sport for several years. After surgery and extensive treatment, she was finally declared in remission in 2013 and able to begin being active again.

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She only discovered running just over three years ago, when she signed up for the Manchester Marathon despite never having run further than 5K. She threw herself into training and completed her first marathon in 4:18, a moment that meant far more than just the finishing time.

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Since then, Ellie has fallen in love with endurance running and the process of marathon training. She has already improved her marathon time to 3:29 and now heads to the 2026 TCS London Marathon aiming for an ambitious sub-3 finish. Balancing full-time work with multiple runs a week and regular strength sessions, she’s embracing the challenge and hopes her journey inspires others to believe they are capable of more than they think.

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Meet Inca

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Running has been part of Inca's life since she was nine years old, when she began joining her mum on trail runs near home. Her mum had taken up running while Inca’s dad was undergoing cancer treatment, giving the sport a deeply personal meaning that has stayed with her ever since. What started casually soon became something much bigger, a source of friendship, confidence and an outlet for both physical and mental wellbeing.

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While studying at university, Inca’s consistency led to rapid improvement and an unexpected opportunity: a scholarship to compete at a Division I college in the United States. There she experienced a new level of competition, travelling for races and learning more about both racing and herself. Although the experience was hugely valuable, it also showed her the importance of balance, and she now approaches running with a renewed focus on enjoyment alongside performance.

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Now based in London, Inca is focused on balancing training with work and social life. She heads into the 2026 TCS London Marathon excited for the atmosphere and the challenge of her first marathon. For Inca, the experience is about making the most of an incredible opportunity, soaking up the energy of race day and continuing to rediscover the joy that running brings.

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Meet Nora

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Running has been part of Nora Luxereau’s life since 2015, when she first began heading out for runs simply for the enjoyment of it. What started casually gradually became something much more meaningful, and by 2020 she had fully embraced the sport after joining her club, Zoom Volt Runners. Since then, running has become an important part of her routine, offering both a sense of progression and a space to reset.

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Nora particularly enjoys long runs in nature, where the rhythm of running and the quiet of the outdoors provide escape. Over time, that consistency has led to some unforgettable racing experiences. Her first marathon in Paris was an incredible milestone, and breaking the three-hour mark in Berlin stands out as a major personal achievement. She also counts Boston among her most memorable races, describing it as a truly legendary event. Each marathon had taught her something new about both racing and herself.

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Now preparing for the 2026 TCS London Marathon, Nora is excited to take on her fourth World Marathon Major. She is feeling motivated and eager to dive into the heart of her preparation. On race day, she hopes to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the experience while pushing herself to deliver the best performance she can. For Nora, every marathon is its own adventure, bringing both excitement and nervous anticipation as she discovers just how far the journey will take her.

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About New Balance

New Balance are committed to supporting athletes in their pursuit of excellence. Whether that means helping professional athletes set records and win medals, or propelling everyday athletes to achieve a new PR, run their first 5K or just to live a more healthy and active lifestyle. Their products are the perfect blend of function and fashion, giving you the performance technology you need and the style you want. While they offer the best product on the market, they're also equally committed to giving back. So while they look to succeed, their ultimate goal is to help you achieve yours.

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SportsShoes is committed to organising the most exciting and unique races, whether it's on the track, road or trail. Keen to find out more? Then check out our Races category for more information about events, latest news and results. Because it's no fun standing still.