Marathon man Michael motivated by memories of his best mate Tony
Michael Mumford and Tony Spark were almost inseparable as young boys growing up in neighbouring flats in Elephant and Castle, through their teenage years and into their 20s. It will be countless memories from that closest of friendships that will drive Michael on to complete the 26 miles-plus course of the London Marathon. That, the dozens of friends and family who’ll be dotted around the capital’s streets to cheer him on, and, the knowledge that, by crossing the finish line he’ll be raising valuable funds for St Christopher’s where Tony spent the last four months of his life, before dying, aged just 26.
Not a day goes by, Michael, who now lives in Eltham, says, when he doesn’t think about his best friend and now, 15 years later, he’s ready to put everything on the line to complete the iconic race.
“Whatever happens, I will complete it. I will give my everything. And when I hit the ‘wall’, I’ll try my best not to think about all the aches and pains, but be absorbed in the moment, soak up the huge crowds, think about the reason I am doing this and focus on Tony, St Christopher’s and my nephew Alfie.”
It’s Alfie who’s responsible for Michael’s participation. From the age of 13, Alfie insisted the two should run together as soon as he reached the minimum entry age of 18. His birthday is the week before this year’s race on Sunday 27 April and when the two got a place in the ballot, Michael knew what he had to do next.“
“If I was going to run the Marathon, I had to do it for charity and there was only one charity I’d want to run it for. St Christopher’s means so much to me because it did so much for Tony, his mum Julie and me and my friends.”
It was February 2010 when, having been diagnosed with a brain tumour in his late teens, Tony’s condition seriously deteriorated and he was admitted to St Christopher’s.
Michael and his friends would visit the hospice at least three or four times a week to ‘make sure he was always seeing a friendly face’, and while memories of that time are inevitably tinged with sadness, they also hold a special place for Michael.
“I have some great memories too. I remember many happy times in the lovely garden and wheeling Tony out of the hospice to go to the pub when he fell out and we had to go back to the hospice to get a hoist. It was really funny, looking back. And there was a lock-in at the pub – that’s probably one of my last, best memories of Tony.”
“Michael is hugely grateful to staff for the patience and understanding they showed him and his friends.
“Everyone at St Christopher’s was so friendly and lovely. We were a group of six or seven lads in our 20s making a load of noise and being raucous and they were so accommodating and just let us be.”
A decade and a half since Tony’s death, Michael has added three very important ingredients to his life – his wife Judith, a Christian faith and running – and appreciates it much more.
“Someone at work suggested Park Run. It was amazing and has helped me so much with my life. I used to run about three times a week anyway, so for the Marathon I’ve just been putting on more distance, building on it all the time.
“Tony’s death has made me understand that life is precious and realise it’s not worth getting caught up with the little things.”
At the time of this interview a month before the Marathon, Michael was about to set out on a 35km run – the longest to date – and he felt like he was more or less on track to break four hours.
He’s already broken his fundraising target of £2,500 and puts that down to having a large network of friends, family and work colleagues, many of whose friendly faces and cheering voices he’s hoping to see and hear along the way.
In terms of support, Michael’s also full of praise for the fundraising team at St Christopher’s.
“Lucy and her colleagues need to be appreciated because they’re incredible at what they do – building a really good team spirit among all the runners and keeping us motivated.”
For anyone considering following in Michael’s footsteps, quite literally, he has some realistic and motivating words.
“It is like having a child – it’s bloody hard work but it’s so rewarding. When you’re ‘in the trenches’, up early and running for hours, you maybe don’t appreciate it. But then there’s the sense of achievement and knowing it can be done. You’ve just got to put the work in and go for it!”
If Michael’s story has inspired you, can now apply for a place in the London Marathon 2026. We’d love you to run in memory of your loved one and raise vital funds for St Christopher’s.
You may also be interested in
St Christopher’s takes funding crisis to parliament
We hosted a pop-up charity shop in parliament on Thursday as part of Hospice Care Week.
Chloe and Tracie’s story
Mother and daughter take on the London Marathon challenge for St Christopher's
St Christopher’s announces new partnership with Barratt London
St Christopher’s Hospice has launched a new partnership with Barratt London, beginning with a £1,500 donation to support its care in the community, across south London.
Kenneth’s story
We found out about the amazing life of 98-year-old Kenneth after presenting him with a special bow tie to add to his collection
