The 100th anniversary of the Deaflympics will take place from 15th–26th November 2025 in Tokyo. The Deaflympics is the world’s second oldest multi-sport and cultural festival, celebrating deaf athletes.
I’m incredibly honoured to share that I’ve been selected to represent Great Britain in the marathon at this historic event. Since the Deaflympics began in 1924, only three British women have ever competed in the marathon. I’ll be the fourth, the first from Scotland, and the only GB marathoner at the 2025 Games.
Running is a huge part of my life, and qualifying for this international event is beyond my wildest dreams. This achievement will also break new ground for deaf athletes from Scotland.
I began my running journey in 2019 with parkruns and I couldn’t run the entire distance without stopping. Over time, I built endurance and speed, gradually progressing to longer distances.
In June 2024, I ran my first marathon at the Strathearn Marathon, placing 7th female. The following year, I pushed my limits at the hilly Windermere Marathon, where I placed 2nd female and took 12 minutes off my previous marathon time. This result qualified me for the Tokyo Deaflympics.
Unlike Olympians and Paralympians, Deaflympians receive no funding. All Deaflympics athletes are self-funded and must raise money on top of their training and preparation. That means I need to raise funds to cover:
• Flights to Tokyo
• Accommodation
• Entry fees & GB kit
• Nutrition, training, and recovery
• Coaching support
My fundraising goal is £4,000, which will cover essential costs to compete at the highest level and make this historic journey possible.
Every contribution counts, no matter the size. Thank you so much for your support.
Organizer
Poppea Bowie
Organizer
Scotland