As the 2026 TCS London Marathon approaches we will be sharing stories of Rugby Runners taking on the 26.2 miles for the RFU Injured Players Foundation.
We start with a beneficiary of the RFU Injured Players Foundation, Hamish Minton who sustained a brachial plexus injury while playing for Chichester RFC in 2022.
For Hamish, running the London Marathon for the IPF is his way of giving back and helping other injured players to receive similar support from the charity in the future.
“I know how much it means first hand to receive that support. I have received an incredible amount of help from the RFU Injured Players Foundation since my injury and have been welcomed to an amazing community by the IPF," he says.
“I’ve been lucky enough not to know post injury life without the IPF in it. They’ve been monumental in my recovery.
“They were immediately by my and my family’s side after the accident, informing me of solutions to problems that I had no idea I’d experience.
“To say I was lost and confused is an understatement, I was down in the dregs. The team at the IPF picked me up and put me back on my feet.
“I’ve had support from them from day one and continue to have support now from both a financial and emotional sense.”
Hamish has enjoyed accessible golf and watersports days as well as a ski course in Andorra with the IPF as part of their Engage Programme. The programme helps players build confidence and overcome challenges in a team environment, while having fun and focussing on leading the life they wish to lead.
“The IPF has also provided so much joy through these amazing trips and sporting activities with other injured players, where you’re reassured by the support network around you,” Hamish continues.
“I’ve been able to share some of those experiences with my closest friends and family. I want to give back through fundraising so other injured players get as much support as I have had.”
Speaking about how his training is going and what he’s most looking forward to as the big day approaches, Hamish says:
“I ran just over 20 miles last week and am very much enjoying it.
“In terms of what I’m looking forward to most about the day, I'm really excited about getting across the finishing line and to that sense of accomplishment.
“It's been physically challenging training and it's taken me back to some of those wet and windy days of rugby training when you can't choose the weather and you have to just train regardless, so that's been really nice.
“I'm also looking forward to celebrating with family and friends and to soaking up the atmosphere.
“I know I’m very lucky to be able to get a place in the marathon. I've had a lot of support both with donations and also from friends and family who are supporting me throughout my training and asking about my updates.
“I’m lucky to have two housemates who are also running the marathon, so it's been nice to train with them.
“To get through the tough moments during the 26 miles, I’ll think back to the days when I wasn't able to get out of bed because of my pain, so being grateful that I can run.
“I'm also grateful that I want to run, because there have been times over the past few years when my head space hasn't really been in the right place to want to. I’m thankful that I'm in a positive head space and I think that's partly as a result of being so physically fit at the moment.
“I’ll also be thinking about the injured players that this money raised can support. How it's going to help my friends in the IPF and also future injured players.
“The RFU Injured Players Foundation is such an important charity for the rugby community. It really is a godsend. Injured players would be a lot worse off if it wasn't for the creation and continued support from the IPF.
“The idea of putting back into the community from which I've had so much help will really drive me on the day.
“It would be amazing if people could donate, knowing that they will be supporting friends in their wider rugby family.”
If you would like to support Hamish – head to his fundraising page here
https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/hamish-minton
You can watch a video with Hamish here as marathon training took him to the Allianz Stadium 5K where he spoke to IPF Ambassador Topsy Ojo about running for the IPF.
