Peter Completes the London Marathon for Wakefield Hospice

After months of training, early starts and steady determination, we’re proud to report that Peter Molyneux, our Estate Director here at Nostell, has completed the 2026 London Marathon in support of Wakefield Hospice.

Peter took on the 26.2-mile challenge alongside his son, Thomas. Together, they helped raise vital funds for a charity that holds a special place in the hearts of many across the local community.

They’ve now raised more than £6,500, plus Gift Aid, which is an amazing effort. It’s still not too late to show your support, and Peter’s fundraising page is still open for donations.

A marathon to remember

Speaking a couple of days after the run, Peter said he was still feeling the impact of the challenge, but incredibly proud of what he and Thomas had achieved.

“I am feeling shattered, even two days later, but so proud of what Thomas and I have achieved.”

For Peter, who had never run a marathon before, simply reaching the finish line was a huge personal milestone.

“The run for me was a race of two halves. Up to 21km, the race was going well with a good pace, and I felt strong. However, after halfway, the hot, penetrating sun, some slow runners and a niggly hip caused me some bother.

“I saw lots of runner casualties along the way, which was quite disconcerting. This was my first ever marathon, so just to finish was a personal best.”

An unforgettable atmosphere

The London Marathon is known for its crowds, noise and sense of occasion, and Peter said the experience was even more powerful than expected.

“Words cannot describe the atmosphere. The crowds, all the way around, were massive. Loads of people were shouting words of encouragement.”

One moment in particular stood out.

“Turning onto Tower Bridge was a proper goose bumps moment. Such an immense privilege to be running the iconic London Marathon.”

Although Peter and Thomas both ran in support of Wakefield Hospice, they were placed in different groups and were not able to run the route together.

“Thomas and I both had different starting times, and sadly, I didn’t get to run with him at all. At one point, I thought of stopping to look at my phone and see his progress on the TCS app, but I didn’t manage to do this. I did see him just after I finished the race.”

Pushing through the hardest miles

Like many marathon runners, Peter found the later stages of the race particularly tough, with the warm weather being a big factor.

“For me, the hardest part was running around Docklands. The sun and heat were almost unbearable. I remained determined to finish, so I decided to slow down my pace to improve my chances of getting to the finish line in one piece.”

That decision helped him keep going, mile by mile, until he reached The Mall.

Crossing the finish line brought both relief and emotion.

“It was a huge relief and very emotional. A day I will definitely always remember.”

After 26.2 miles in the London sunshine, Peter was also able to enjoy one very well-earned reward: a much-deserved beer after crossing the finish line.

Supporting Wakefield Hospice

Peter and Thomas were running in aid of Wakefield Hospice, which provides specialist care and support for patients and families across the Wakefield district. In the pre-run article, the Hospice explained that it costs around £6 million a year to run. Around 75% of that funding comes from fundraising, community support, donations, retail, events and legacies.

Ahead of the marathon, Peter and Thomas were able to visit in person, making the challenge feel even more meaningful.

“I had the opportunity to visit, with Thomas, Wakefield Hospice ahead of the marathon. They do such an incredible job supporting individuals and families with end-of-life care, and we are both truly honoured to have been able to help via our fundraising event.”

Peter also wanted to share his thanks with everyone who has supported them.

“Thank you to all the amazing people who supported Thomas and me to run the London Marathon. The level of kindness and support received surpassed all expectations, and it is so amazing to have been able to raise money for Wakefield Hospice.”

Would he do it again?

After such a huge challenge, there was one final question for Peter: would he ever run another marathon?

“If you asked me today, the answer would be no, but ask again next week!”

Everyone at Nostell would like to congratulate Peter and Thomas on such a fantastic achievement, and thank everyone who has donated in support of Wakefield Hospice.

Donations can still be made through Peter’s fundraising page:

Support Peter’s London Marathon fundraiser