Team Tavs 2026: Inside the stories powering our marathon team
As the countdown to Sunday’s London Marathon reaches its final hours, a team of 40 runners from Lord’s Taverners are preparing to take on the iconic 26.2-mile challenge through the capital’s streets, united by a shared goal: raising vital funds to support the charity’s national cricket programmes.
The annual event, which sees tens of thousands of participants and benefits thousands of charities, provides a powerful platform for personal stories of resilience, remembrance and community. This year’s Lord’s Taverners team is no exception, with a diverse group of runners bringing deeply personal motivations and inspiring journeys to the start line.
Among them is Holly Halkes, a first-time marathon runner whose participation carries profound emotional significance. A London-based painter, Holly is running in memory of her younger brother, Hugo, whose legacy lives on through the Hugo Halkes Foundation. Cricket was Hugo’s favourite sport, and her family’s close relationship with Lord’s Taverners has made this challenge especially meaningful, turning each mile into a tribute as well as a fundraiser.
Family is another strong theme running through this year’s team, exemplified by Chris and Lydia Townsend. The father–daughter duo will tackle the marathon side by side, marking Chris’s third run for the charity and Lydia’s debut. A seasoned fundraiser who has previously raised over £5,000, Chris now shares the experience with his daughter, a third-year student at the University of St Andrews and lifelong cricket enthusiast.
For Lydia, the decision to run is rooted in her passion for the sport and its inclusive potential. “My favourite part of cricket is the sense of community that it fosters,” she explains. “I don’t think anyone should miss out on the opportunities that cricket provides. That’s why I want to run for Lord’s Taverners – to help make cricket as accessible as possible to everyone.”
Perhaps one of the most remarkable journeys within the team belongs to 20-year-old Archie Dinnage, a participant in the charity’s Super 1s disability cricket programme. Archie’s path to the marathon start line has been anything but conventional.
Born nearly 10 weeks prematurely and facing a range of medical challenges, including asthma and a rare genetic condition, Archie struggled with physical activity from a young age. A severe asthma attack at age four led him to avoid sport altogether for many years. It wasn’t until after the Covid-19 pandemic that his trajectory began to change.
Encouraged by his family, Archie joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Cadet Corps and later became involved with Lord’s Taverners’ Super 1s programme in Hampshire. These supportive environments helped him build confidence, develop discipline and rediscover physical activity in a way that worked for him.
Since then, his achievements have been extraordinary. From completing his Duke of Edinburgh Awards to excelling in cadets and earning a karate brown belt, Archie has embraced new challenges with determination. Now, by taking on the marathon—his first attempt at sustained running since childhood—he embodies the cadet motto: ‘Meet the Challenge.’
His participation also marks a significant milestone, as only the second Super 1s participant to attempt a full marathon in support of the charity, following in the footsteps of Somerset’s Connor Hyde who is running again this year. Archie’s story highlights the transformative impact of inclusive sport and the importance of community in unlocking potential.
Another duo running in Team Tavs is David and husband Pete, hailing from the Channel Island of Guernsey. They are one of our top fundraisers so far, and they chose to run for the charity because we aren't just making an impact on the mainland, but we are also supporting local projects close to their hearts in Guernsey. They’re proud to be part of #TeamTavs knowing that every step is impacting the lives of young people facing the challenges of inequality!
Another inspiring story comes from George Salmond - former Scottish cricketer and football referee trying to get into the 100 Marathon Club! George is a seasoned marathon runner taking on the London Marathon for his 60th race, whilst supporting the Lord’s Taverners for the third time! After breaking his arm in mid-December, George has worked his way back to training and is now back on track to take part in the race, whilst fundraising for a charity close to his heart and supporting community cricket for those that need it most.
Alongside these standout runners are many others contributing their own inspiring chapters. From long-time supporters like Mark Reynolds, who credits the charity with sparking a passion for running later in life, to dedicated veterans such as Rob Ditcham, preparing for his 18th marathon with the Taverners, the team reflects a broad spectrum of commitment and motivation.
Together, the 2026 Lord’s Taverners marathon team represents more than just a fundraising effort. It is a celebration of resilience, community and the enduring power of sport to change lives. As they take to the streets this Sunday, each runner carries not only personal ambition but also the hopes of the young people and communities their efforts will support.
Their stories serve as a reminder that every mile run has the potential to make a lasting difference.
Do show your support for the charity’s heroic Marathon team, and make your donation now
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Richard Groom
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