27-04-2025
Drag queen, TikTok star and man with one lung taking on London Marathon
A drag queen, TikTok star, a man with one lung and a cancer survivor are among the runners taking part in the London Marathon today (April 27).
More than 56,000 people are expected to run the 26.2 mile course through the capital, including some people from East Lancashire.
Blackburn's Shabaz Ali, who has more than two million followers on TikTok, will be running the marathon on behalf of Save the Children UK.
Shabaz, known as 'Shabaz Says' on his social media channels, creates comedic and light-hearted content that uses humour and satire to reflect and comment on the latest news and social trends, with a particular focus on poverty and discrimination.
Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph earlier this year, Shabaz said he was 'excited but nervous' to be taking part.
He said: 'I thought it was a brilliant idea at the time, now it is getting closer I am thinking 'I've actually got to run 26 miles'. It is all good in theory isn't it?' he joked.
'Most of the time I am lying down in bed in my videos – my viewers are surprised I have legs! The comment section has been so lovely... I am overwhelmed.
Shabaz Ali (Image: Save The Children)
'I am excited to be part of something. I always see how happy people are when they finish it. I know I can raise so much money for it.
'I used to run in lockdown. Before that, I hated the outdoors. I love the freedom of running and regularly run around Entwistle reservoir.'
Richard Few, from Clitheroe, is also set to take part – and he only has one lung. It's his second London Marathon.
Richard Few (Image: Richard Few)
He is running on behalf of Asthma and Lung UK.
In February 2008, Richard went to the hospital thinking he had a chest infection but was told that his lung had collapsed. This was the first of many collapses over the coming months, which led to his right lung being removed.
Richard said running long distances with one lung makes his heart rate higher, meaning his heart has to work harder to pump oxygen around his body. He says running long distances feels like his face is 'covered with a pillow'.
A Burnley cancer survivor is also set to take part in her first London Marathon.
Millie Stubbs (Image: Millie Stubbs)
On her 13th birthday, Millie Stubbs was told she had stage two thyroid cancer. Now 22, the Burnley-born nurse is preparing to run the London Marathon in support of the charity that helped her through it all, the Teenage Cancer Trust.
READ MORE: Burnley Drag Race UK star Elektra Fence in Parliament to discuss cerebral palsy
Drag queen Elektra Fence, real name Julian Riley, from Burnley is also preparing to lace up their running shoes to take part in the London Marathon for the second year running.
Elektra Fence (Image: Elektra Fence) Elektra, who appeared on Drag Race UK in 2021, is running for disability equality charity, Scope.
They said: 'My first marathon in 2024 was one of the most inspirational experiences of my life; such positivity, love and joy everywhere you looked. 'Thanks to everyone who kindly donated last year, we managed to smash my £2,000 target and we raised a whopping £3201.00 'Scope does so much good and I want to do my bit!'
