Meet our 2026 London Marathon Runners: Craig

Craig, General Manager at Cineworld, has been a long-time supporter of MediCinema and a huge advocate of our charity partnership with the high-street cinema chain. From sponsored football tournaments to walking challenges, he’s gone the extra mile for our cause. Running the London Marathon will be his biggest challenge to date. He tells us why he is so passionate about MediCinema.

What inspired you to take on the 2026 TCS London Marathon as part of the MediCinema team?

In 2010 I had an extended hospital stay in Leicester where I was in isolation. I had Severe Aplastic Anaemia which is treated with Chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant from a suitable donor. Being on my own, with limited visits due to my risk of infection – I watched a lot of films and would have loved the escapism of a cinema. Once I was in remission, I had decided two things, I need a job and I want to set myself a goal. The goal was to run the London Marathan one day & I naturally I got a job at a cinema. I then worked my way up to be the General Manager of an incredible Cinema in Rushden but sadly never was able to gain entry into the marathon despite 14 years of entries. Cinema is part of my DNA at this point and discovering the incredible work MediCinema do through my work, it was a logical next step for me. I am getting to achieve a life goal and raise money for an incredible charity, all in one go.

How have you been preparing for the race, and what’s been the biggest challenge so far?

I run normally in my life, it is my way to destress and keep fit. Sadly, I have 3 motorbike accidents within the first 6 months of 2025. One from which I was hit by a car and have been recovering since.

The Cineworld football team at the tournament organised by Craig (far left) which raised over £1000.

Tell us about your favourite moment or run so far whilst training/fundraising for the challenge

The first run of 2026 comes to mind with my 2-year-old boy. I have not had many runs since recovering from my motorcycle accidents, but I was determined to get out. The weather was terrible but with my son in his running buggy, wrapped up warm and ready to take in the sights, I couldn’t help but smile and be happy despite everything else saying I should be miserable. Him roaring like a dinosaur at people we came across both made their day and my own.

Is there anything else you’d like to add about your challenge?

I am determined to make this happen. This is very outside my comfort zone, and I have never done any sort of fundraising like this. I am pushing myself both physically and mentally to make this a success!