Dave World takes on a very special challenge in memory of his Mum

The London Classics is a challenge that recognises and rewards participants who have completed three of the capital city’s toughest events: the London Marathon, RideLondon-Essex 100, and the two-mile Swim Serpentine.

image one Dave World runs the Brighton Marathon wearing ICR vest. Image two: Dave holds up his bike in his back garden

Image: Dave World at the Brighton Marathon (left) and with his bike (right)

Everyone who completes all three will be awarded the coveted London Classics medal and listed in the event Hall of Fame. More than 4,000 athletes have completed the treble so far – and ICR supporter Dave World is one of them.

He’ll be picking up his London Classics medal – engraved with the words Et ego Londinium vici (I too have conquered London) – after completing RideLondon 100 on 29 May.

“Technically I will have completed the Classics when I finish the Ride 100,” he says, “as I finished two of the three events last year.

“But I know that charities have been massively impacted after Covid, so to try raise as much money for the ICR as possible, I’ve signed up to complete all three Classics this year.

“I’m really looking forward to taking part in them in person this year instead of virtually. And I can’t wait to get on the RideLondon 100 course with everyone else.”

London Classics medals

Image: London Classics medals are awarded for completing three of the capital city’s toughest events: the London Marathon, RideLondon-Essex 100, and the two-mile Swim Serpentine. (Photo credit: Swim Serpentine)

In memory of Moira

Dave, 42, of Billingshurst, West Sussex is running in memory of his Mum Moira, and has already completed the Brighton Marathon this year. So far he has raised £1440 for the ICR.

“I lost my mum to pancreatic cancer 10 years ago. She was diagnosed in June and then died on Boxing Day, six months later. I was adopted, so she'd always been my rock – my everything – and to lose her was devastating for me.

“She was a very keen runner. I hadn’t really run before, just played football and sports, but I wanted to do something to remember her by, so I decided to run a marathon in 2016.”

Dave’s Classics achievement is even more impressive as he suffered a major health issue five years ago.

“In 2017 I ran the London Marathon but collapsed at the end and had major organ failure. I found out I had a benign tumour in my neck that was taking all the calcium out of my bones.

“I had an operation and finally got the all-clear in 2019. Then I signed up for all the Classics events in 2020."

Defeating cancer is within our reach

“I’m really committed to The Institute of Cancer Research – we’re at a stage now where defeating cancer is within our reach, and I want to help make that happen.

“And it’s a real team environment. There’s a brilliant Facebook group for people who are raising money for the ICR by taking part in events and everyone is so supportive.

“I’ve done events for other charities before, but the ICR supports you all the way through and that’s been really important to me.

“On the Facebook group everyone motivates each other, and you feel like you’re not training on your own.”

RideLondon-Essex 100

Dave works for the Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and will be cheered on by his wife Hayley and children Joshua and Poppy.

He will be taking part in The RideLondon-Essex 100 on Sunday, 29 May. Participants enjoy the unique opportunity to ride 100 miles on traffic-free roads through the heart of London and neighbouring Essex.

Riders return to London on the same route as stage three of the 2014 Tour de France, before finishing at Tower Bridge. It will be the first time since RideLondon was created in 2013 that the 100-mile challenge will finish at the capital’s famous landmark.

To support him, please visit Dave's JustGiving page.