Ben’s Journey from Park Runs to the London Marathon

“I hope my journey can inspire others, especially younger people with similar physical conditions, to believe in what really is possible.” 

On 26 April, Ben Buckley will be taking on the London Marathon to raise vital funds for Access Sport and the Dwarf Sport’s Association UK, Ben is using the iconic event to challenge perceptions and inspire others to believe in what’s possible, no matter the barriers they face. 

In this article, Ben shares how sport, community and resilience have shaped his journey, and why he hopes his run can inspire others to chase goals that once felt out of reach.

Article by Ben Buckley.

I've always loved health, fitness and sport.

At school, however, sport wasn’t always a positive experience.

I remember always finishing last in cross country races and not making the school football teams. Like many people with dwarfism, I have grown up feeling self-conscious about my height and dealing with the negative attention it can bring.

That was why being part of a sporting community outside of school mattered so much.

I have been a member of the Dwarf Sports Association (DSA UK) since my teenage years, attending national games and competing alongside my peers. DSA UK is a sporting charity dedicated to making sport accessible, inclusive and enjoyable for people with restricted growth across the UK. Their work helps develop opportunities at all levels, from grassroots participation to national and international competition, including pathways to the World Dwarf Games.

During the COVID pandemic, I began running regularly, which has had a huge impact on both my physical and mental health. It has helped me build confidence, resilience and self-belief, and I feel incredibly lucky and grateful that I am able to run, something I will never take for granted.

When I was five years old, I had corrective surgery to straighten my bowed legs. Specialists advised that I might need further surgery as an adult, but thankfully this hasn’t been necessary so far. Knowing that makes every mile I run feel more meaningful.

In June 2025, after some encouragement from a neighbour, I completed my first ever park run – my first time running a 5km distance. Since then, I have completed 26 park runs! These park runs quickly escalated to 10km trail runs and then half marathons across my hometown and London parks. The feeling of crossing those finish lines was unreal.

I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to participate in the London Marathon 2026. Running this iconic event is something many people apply for year after year without success, which makes this opportunity to fundraise for Access Sport even more special.

Marathon training has been challenging, especially finding the time for long runs, but when I look back to this time last year, I never imagined I would be training for a marathon. The growth, both physically and mentally, has been amazing.

Along the way, I have been hugely inspired by other people with dwarfism who are pushing boundaries and redefining expectations. Kevin Cekanor ran the London Marathon last year and is now running the Boston Marathon after qualifying through an accessibility time. John Young has even set a Guinness World Record by completing an ultramarathon! Their stories remind me that limits don’t define potential.

At 48 years old, joining the “1% club” of marathon finishers would be an incredible achievement. More than that, I hope my journey can inspire others, especially younger people with similar physical conditions, to believe in what really is possible. If my marathon encourages even one person to chase a goal they once thought was out of reach, then every mile will have been worth it.

Donate to Ben’s fundraising page by clicking the link below and help us transform more young lives through the power of community sport.

Ben’s Fundraising Page >