Login
Login

Lionel Matsuya

London Marathon 2027

Supporting disabled people of all ages to live without limits.

When close friends of ours had twins who were born very prematurely, their lives changed in an instant. Watching these incredible young people grow up through the daily reality and challenges of living with cerebral palsy has shown me both the immense strength of families navigating disability, and some of the barriers society still puts in their way.

Disability isn't a rare or niche issue; it affects families everywhere. Yet too often, disabled young people face a world built without their needs in mind, fighting for basic accessibility, fair opportunities, and proper support.

I’m raising funds for Scope to help change that. Scope works directly with disabled people and their families, offering practical advice, emotional support, and campaigning relentlessly for equal rights and opportunity.

Every contribution helps ensure young people get the tools, access, and backing they need to fulfill their potential. Thank you so much for your support.

Honestly, I want to smash the target of £3000. So let's do that together!

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

£1,773 + £363.03 GiftAid

My Goal

£3,000

Select amount to donate

£14
£31
£50
£
Donate

All payments are secure & encrypted

My Achievements

Fundraising Page

Updated Profile Pic

Added a Blog Post

5 Donations Received!

50% of Target Reached

Reached Fundraising Goal

Increased Target

Self Donation

50% of Fitness Target

Fitness Target Reached

My Updates

Slow Sunday for #Scope

Sunday 18th Oct
I went on a long run today - the longest run I've done for a long time (because I'm progressing by adding 5 minutes per week, I'm going to be saying that a lot!).

The injury is feeling okay, so I'm positive about the progress being made. But it's really tough running that slowly. So I told myself today: you're running slowly for Scope.

It's not my normal way of doing things, but it's a good reminder to me to keep within my body's abilities - I can always push harder in the coming months.

Getting used to the new routine: RUN SLOW

Tuesday 6th Oct
I got my physio strength plan and did my first session yesterday. The aim is to strengthen my hamstrings and glutes and add some flexibility to my right hip. I'm sure there's a version of the placebo effect for exercises like this but I feel like it's getting better already!

Nonetheless, I've had to be very cautious with my running. 10 minute warm up walk, 15min run at a very slow 6:45 min/km is my maximum at the moment, though today the five minute middle section was a tempo run at 5:15 min/km.

Hyde Park is looking great although it hasn't recovered from the summer's dry season. A metaphor, perhaps for my running: after a very dry summer of no running, it's going to take a while for the green shoots of recovery to appear.

Training starts here

Sunday 27th Sep
My training journey isn't quite what I intended it to be.

This time last year I was testing my body (especially my knees) out. I had never done more than a half marathon so I decided, without entering anything, to see if I could work myself up to a 26.2 mile run.

In September 2025 I did it: in 4h30 I ran the full distance. It was knackering, but crucially I made it. And it was a platform to build on.

With illness over the holiday season I had to stop running for a little while. But when I got back into it, I went too hard and developed pretty bad plantar fasciitis in my left foot, and achilles tendonitis in my right foot. It was pretty painful.

I stopped running for a couple of weeks but didn't really do enough and both injuries flared up over April, May and June.

So I stopped running in June. I haven't run since then - I've just focussed on cycling (which doesn't aggravate the injury) and lots of exercises.

It's one of the most frustrating things. I loved running but the key is to run slowly. I'm working with a physio to return to training and I have to run almost painfully slowly. But it's worth it - even more so when I'm running for a good cause.

I've resigned myself to plodding round the marathon next year. But the speed doesn't matter - it's finishing. Thanks to everyone who has donated so far - we can make a difference together.

First training run

Sunday 27th Sep

At the start of my first marathon journey

Sunday 6th Sep
I'm so excited to be doing my first marathon. This has been a personal goal of mine for years (as my family have heard again and again).

I've done a lot of half marathons, and to be honest a marathon is something I think I'll probably do once.

For some reason, seasoned runners laugh when I say that.

London will be an awesome marathon to do - one of the world's iconic marathons. So I'm gearing myself up to be ready for the challenges ahead!

Thank you to my Sponsors

£1,000

Anonymous

Such a good cause Lionel - best of luck getting over the injuries - you've got this!

£109.25

Hideaki Matsuya

£109.25

Beth Lewis

£109.25

Anonymous Anonymous

£100

Lionel Matsuya

£100

Cliff Matsuya

£55.88

Renate Sukal

Viel Glück, Lionel Mom

£55.88

Tim Elliott

A great cause - good luck!

£50

Mario Soto

Good luck Lionel

£35

Jeremy Murgatroyd

£30.55

Michael Vidoni

£14

Lucy Montague

Good luck Lionel!! :)

£2

Cliff Matsuya

£2

Cliff Matsuya