Cliff Notes – How celebrities fared in the London Marathon from Joel Dommett fainting to Adele Roberts’ world record
- Joel Dommett completed the TCS London Marathon but fainted at mile 17, requiring medical assistance before finishing in six hours and three minutes.
- Adele Roberts set a world record for completing all seven major marathons in under 24 hours, expressing her joy and relief after overcoming significant health challenges.
How celebrities fared in the London Marathon — from Joel Dommett fainting to Adele Roberts’ world record
It’s time to celebrate for Joel Dommett, who has completed the TCS London Marathon after months of training—but not without a struggle.
The Masked Singer host, 39, is a known fitness fiend, and this was far from his first marathon, as he also ran last year but increased the difficulty level tenfold by doing so in a piranha costume.
Fortunately, this time, there wasn’t any elaborate costume, and he was still able to reach the finish line.
Joel was pictured limping out of the race with his arms around two staff members.
But, in true Joel fashion, he kept a smile on his face, even when hobbling out of the crowd, later admitting that he actually fainted at mile 17.
The main thing is that he still collected his medal, as snaps capture his joy as the exhausted star clutches the prize with pride.
What happened to Joel Dommett?
Following his victory, Joel took to Instagram with a selfie of himself with two medics, admitting it was ‘not the race [he] expected’.
‘I fainted at mile 17 – don’t really remember much but I woke up in an ambulance! Thanks to Frankie and Barry for being amazing’, he penned.
‘I really wanted to finish it. After a few hours my pulse was back and I got going again at a very different pace but really got to soak it all in.’
‘Proud of myself for finishing’, he declared, soon inundated with congratulatory comments from famous friends.
The TV star has been documenting the build-up to this year’s marathon on his social media, which he signed up for in aid of Brain Tumour Support.
Just yesterday, the charity posted a good luck message for him and the other runners fundraising, writing on Instagram: ‘With the TCS London Marathon tomorrow we’re feeling excited for our #TeamBrainTumourSupport runners who have all put such a lot into preparing for this iconic event.’
Joel also had the full support of his wife, Hannah Cooper, and their young son, Wilde, having posted a photo of a card they gave to him.
With ‘TEAM DADDA’ at the top, it read: ‘We are very proud of you! See you @ the finish line. You can do it!’
Joel’s day had been planned meticulously to the point where he was hoping to be home in time for his son’s nap.
A photo of his itinerary showed he had a tour show just yesterday, meaning he had to travel to Leeds and back before the marathon began.
Today, he arose at 6:30am and ran to the starting line at 8:50am as a warm-up.
The marathon commenced at 10am, and Joel had planned to finish by 1pm to Uber home by half past for Wilde’s nap.
Amazingly—after an ice bath and some food—he is due to head back out at 4:45pm to arrive on set for another job this evening.
‘That is one bonkers schedule Joel, thank you so much for your support in wearing our best with pride as you take on your challenge x We are all cheering you on and will be tracking you from afar x’, Brain Tumour Support had commented on his post.
He also had sweet comments from the likes of Davina McCall, Ben Shephard, Olly Murs, and Gorka Marquez, who were all rooting for him.
Annoyingly for Joel, he was actually so close to his day going to plan, as the London Marathon app showed he was due to cross the finish line at 12:41pm.
But at least he finished, with his time being six hours and three minutes.
In more good news, McFly drummer Harry Judd, with whom Joel was running, also completed the marathon.
The pop star, 39, was fundraising for The Children’s Trust, writing on his Instagram ahead of the event: ‘Here we go!!!! All I can do is my best and that what I’ll do. Good luck everyone!!!’
As per the app, the All About You hitmaker completed the marathon in three hours and 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, football icon John Terry completed the marathon in five hours, despite being made to walk halfway through and being spotted limping.
The Chelsea legend got off to a strong start alongside his Blues pal Jody Morris.
However, he began losing pace, and it took the 44-year-old 55 minutes to go from the 35k point to 40k.
Adding to the drama, he was even seen bleeding from his nipple through his shirt, with Jody waiting for him to catch up before leaving him to go at his own pace.
Other celebrity runners this weekend included Kelly Brook, Romesh Ranganathan, Joe Wicks, and Alexandra Burke.
There was also Adele Roberts, who has been raising money for Cancer Research.
The radio DJ underwent surgery for bowel cancer in October 2021 and later had chemotherapy and a stoma fitted. She was given the all-clear in June 2022.
Since, the I’m A Celebrity star has used her platform to raise awareness and to document the highs and lows of her own health battles.
Ahead of the marathon, the 46-year-old wrote on Insta: ‘Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has been sending messages of support or donating. I ❤️ you more than you could ever know! You’re keeping me going!
‘I’m just so relieved’
‘Knowing how much money we are raising for the chosen charities is filling my heart with joy! You are changing and saving lives! I can’t thank you enough.’
Adele was aiming to beat the current record by completing all seven major marathons in less than 24 hours, which includes races in not only London but also Tokyo, Boston, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago, and New York.
She has already completed the London Marathon three previous times, her most recent being post-cancer with a stoma. She set the world record for the fastest time a female completed the race with a stoma bag.
Reacting to smashing her world record this afternoon, the broadcaster said that while the 2025 London Marathon was her ‘slowest,’ it felt the ‘most special’.
‘I’m just so relieved,’ she said. ‘Halfway round, I thought, I’m not gonna finish today. It was so hot and my legs started to cramp, and I just thought, “Keep pushing on, Adele; get to the end”.’
On this being her ‘hardest’ marathon, she said pain is ‘privilege’, adding: ‘I’ve been through so much with recovering from cancer but with every step, even though it hurt, I just thought, you’re alive, you’re lucky to be experiencing this.
‘I hope [the world record] sends a message to anyone living with cancer or who has a stoma that we can achieve anything and our bodies are brilliant.’