Inspirational 2022 TCS London Marathon finishers have been honoured for their achievements
Brand-new recipients of the Spirit of the London Marathon Awards were announced today (Wednesday 29 March), reflecting the inclusivity of the TCS London Marathon.
Anoosheh Ashoori, Jeremy Joseph and Team Kerr are the latest winners of the award, which was created in 2018 to celebrate individuals or groups who have embodied the Spirit of the London Marathon over the 42 editions of the event to date.
Anoosheh, Jeremy and Team Kerr – David, Sandra and Aaron Kerr – showed that the Spirit of the London Marathon can shine through even in the most challenging of times. Here are their stories.
Anoosheh Ashoori, 69, from London
Anoosheh, an Iranian-British dual national who was arrested in Iran in August 2017 wrongfully accused of spying and sentenced to 12 years in jail in 2019, ran the TCS London Marathon for the first time in October 2022.
Anoosheh was released from prison in March 2022 and spoke afterwards about how the dream of one day running the London Marathon had kept him motivated throughout the four-and-a-half years he spent in prison. He used the few hours of exercise he was allowed each week to train and keep himself fit, both physically and mentally.
He said: “I found running to be extremely helpful in my fight again insanity [while in prison]. I promised myself I would participate in the London Marathon any time I was released.”
That dream became a reality when he completed the 2022 TCS London Marathon. He said: “I took part in the TCS London Marathon in support of those I had left behind in Evin prison, in solidarity with the women’s movement in Iran, and to raise funds and promote social awareness for Hostage International and Amnesty International – the two charities that provided my family and I with support during the most traumatic period of my life.”
Anoosheh will be taking on the 2023 TCS London Marathon alongside his daughter Elika and son Aryan. Their hope is to continue to raise awareness and support for their chosen charities and to fight injustice.