Kemi Joy

The Heroes & The Hype

The Heroes and the Hype

Take a closer look at all the marathon pictures, the moments captured in the photographs. Search the many, many faces and what do you see? More cheering crowds than runners, really.

We, the racers, the distance chasers, we’re simply chancers – daring the girth of our bodies and the grit of our minds, to ascend tarmac, amass turnings and attune timings. Treading tarmac paths in a catharsis of self-therapy.

All the hype around how this appears on race day, on who we are and who we become, must heed the true battleground, which lies in the months, and often years, of training beforehand.

And all the triumphs hailed in us making that finish line, must heed the true heroes of the day – the tireless, calling, cheering crowds.

These are the ones that deserve the crown.

‘Go ornnnn Kemi, shake it out!’ when I stumble to walking.

‘Keep going, I SEE you Kemi, I SEE you’ when my resumed pace scratches pain and discomfort across my face.

These are not the passive observer types.

These are not casual passers-by.

These, though but strangers, are dedicated faithfuls – planted, purposed to uplift and empower. 

Together with loved ones, walking, searching  endlessly between closed tube stations and missed sightings...

Uniting themselves, tirelessly, with us runners – determined to help get us to our goal…

Why? When they could be tanning themselves in the sun, or resting at home…Why??

Throughout the path of my inaugural marathon run, the moments that had me choked with tears were observing the crowds, the individuals, cheering on others, embracing others and receiving that embrace myself – from loved ones, and - more strikingly - from strangers.

Oh what manner of man is this? 

From where comes this precious thread of humanity that would cry forth on behalf of an unknown other?

For so long I was told ‘the crowds get you through’ but never, ever, could I have foreseen the extent of good will and belonging that would surge forth from those uncrowned crowds.

The wind beneath our wings, the unsung, the unfailing…step back platform runners and all hail the uncrowned crowds.❤️❤️❤️

With huge thanks to everyone that supported me to and through 26.2 miles of tarmac tread, and beyond – both my beloved family, friends and those unknown; to the fellow runner who walked beside me when severe hip pain drew me to limping; to the paramedics who did miraculous body physio moves when I was forced to a halt; to another fellow runner who gave me all her remaining ibuprofen, when the prescription drugs (paracetamol) just did not work; to every single person in the crowd who called my name and made eye-contact, in earnest, willing me on, as if you were my life-long personal trainer…I don’t know quite what kind of humans you are – I mean, I pat myself on the back when I enthuse myself into taking my own children to one of their various extra-curriculars!

Thank you forever Crowning Crowds, for shining such beautiful heart into this world. For being the good news amidst a world saturated in dark hues.

I ran in memory of my parents and alongside the wonderful work of the World Cancer Research Fund – a small charity, doing significant work to inform our mindset and tools in tackling cancer. Huge thanks to every one of you for your phenomenal support this past year. Please donate to them if you can.

The Morning Before...

Some folk do this marathon thing  

in 3 hours!?

Many do it in 4

And then there are those of us

Like me who might 

LOOK athletic 

But inhabit a body that battles within 

Indeed ALL of US 

BE here carrying something beneath 

That doesn't show up on surface of skin

So tomorrow

I run

I jog-walk-crawl

Snort mucus

Bleed sweat

Barf, grunt and bawl 

I've been hating the 

dark din 

of these past few weeks

So fearful that 

for 26 miles 

I'll run weak 

But the hardest and darkest 

battles of all

so deft and determined in 

making us fall

well, that pit is the very penultimate thing

that breaks open to let all the Glorious Light in.

God Speed Your Speed

London 2026 ❤️

The Joy-Pain Continuum

The Joy-Pain Continuum

Landmark - Almost - Half Marathon!

Trials and Triumphs!

I lost both my parents to cancer in recent years, while they were both still in their 60s.

Then last October, I received a – very different, but still debilitating – chronic disease diagnosis of my own, that, together with other complications, had caused inflammation and immobility that ballooned my weight by over 5 stones in just 12 months.

Today I stand, having confronted the trajectory of my health, through a determined focus on – and application of - research into food, fitness, medication and mindset.

This same focus is what sets the World Cancer Research Fund apart as a charity and I am excited to both learn from them and partner with them - in raising funds for such an innovative and empowering cause. 

Last October, I could barely walk, but once the worst of my symptoms had passed, I started run-walking in the summer.

Those tiny, incremental steps were grueling at the time, but yesterday (fast-forward to 18.10.2025!) I completed my morning run, without stopping, at just under half-marathon distance. And I LOVED it! 

Every day, for me, is a fight to be stronger and persevere.

And running saves me. Every. Single. Time.

Even when I wake up full of anger and fear…

Every day I lean into the joy.

For myself.

For my two young daughters.

And for every person who has the same diagnosis as my parents - and/or various connected illnesses - the work of WCRF PROVES that so many symptoms can be better managed and even overcome, through the detail in what we eat and how we exercise.

So, any and every donation to the WCRF cause would be HUGELY appreciated.

I’m trailblazing my way to and through this marathon, even if I end up run-hobbling to that finish line!