An unforgettable day for #TeamPersonalBest

Last weekend, 22 incredible runners took on the Schneider Electric Paris Marathon in support of Personal Best Foundation. Every single one of them crossed the finish line with determination, pride and a whole lot of heart.

From first‑time marathoners to seasoned runners chasing new goals, the team embodied everything our foundation stands for: resilience, community and the belief that every young person deserves the chance to thrive through the power of athletics.

A phenomenal fundraising achievement

Together, our runners raised an outstanding £20,000 and still counting! A total that will directly support our programmes helping children and young people build confidence, feel safe and included - and discover the joy of movement.

This achievement will allow us to continue to reach even more young people who face the greatest barriers to being active - creating life‑changing opportunities through athletics.

A day filled with spirit, support and celebration

From the iconic Champs‑Élysées start line to the final stretch along Avenue Foch, our runners were cheered on by family, friends and our Foundation Manager, Amy. Amy proudly waved the red PBF flag at 15km, the official charity cheer point.

The atmosphere was electric, the smiles were huge, and the sense of achievement at the finish line was unforgettable.

Thank you, Team Personal Best

To every runner, supporter, and donor - thank you. Your dedication has made a real and lasting impact on the young people we serve. We can’t wait to share stories from the day, celebrate your achievements and show exactly how your fundraising will help transform lives.

Here’s to every mile, every moment and every young person who will benefit because of you.

Stuart, who achieved a phenomenal sub 3hr time, said of the day:

"The Parisian atmosphere on Sunday was absolutely electric, with people from all over the world willing you forwards. No matter how thoroughly you have trained, the last miles are always tough - meaning that you have to dig deep and remember your "why" - your motivation for pushing when the going gets tough. For me, a big part of that was running for the younger version of myself, who was raised in a low-income, single parent family that didn't have the time or funds spare to enable me to participate in club events due to a lack of funds to buy the equipment I needed. I was able to bring this to life by running with the Personal Best Foundation, a charity who are widening access to athletics for young kids across the UK, knowing that the funds I had raised would help young folks experience the joy and sense of acceptance that being part of something bigger than yourself can bring was exactly what I needed to get me over the line."

Jen Coleman, Personal Best Foundation Trustee took on the challenge and said of the day:

''The Paris marathon was one of the best running experiences I’ve ever had, and it was an honour to run it for a cause so close to my heart. Wearing my PBF jersey out there on the course alongside 20 other runners gave me a real sense of pride and motivation, particularly during those hardest miles, and support for the charity runners was amazing. There were people from all walks of life and abilities out there, and the whole event really hit home for me just how much running and athletics is a source of inspiration, comraderie and purpose - exactly what PBF is all about. For anyone thinking of running the (paris) marathon for PBF in future, I couldn’t recommend it more!

Amy Foundation Manager, who was out there supporting the runners said:

“It was a privilege to be in Paris supporting our runners and to witness their determination firsthand. Meeting runners and their families after the event was a real highlight and showed just how much this meant to everyone involved. A huge congratulations and thank you to all who took part - completing a marathon is an incredible achievement, and to do so while fundraising makes it even more special. Raising over £20,000 is a phenomenal result, and those funds will have a lasting impact, helping us create more opportunities for young people across the UK to access athletics and experience the many benefits it brings.''

If you are interested in taking part in Paris 2027 and raising money for Personal Best Foundation - applications are now open.