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Teen Tumors Spark Marathon Runner's Fierce Drive
20 Apr
Summary
- Facing facial tumor and thyroid disease in teens shaped Anya's life.
- She transformed from a four-hour marathoner to an elite runner.
- Anya Culling now inspires others through a BBC Sounds series.
Anya Culling, a 27-year-old from Watton, Norfolk, has achieved remarkable success in marathon running, driven by a profound perspective gained from overcoming significant health challenges in her youth. During her GCSEs at Thetford Grammar School, Culling was diagnosed with a facial tumor and thyroid disease. These experiences, she states, were pivotal in shaping her into a resilient and grateful individual.
Her running career has seen an astonishing ascent. Culling's debut in the London Marathon in 2019 resulted in a four-hour finish. By 2023, she had drastically improved, achieving a personal best of two hours and 34 minutes at the Copenhagen Marathon. In 2024, she secured 16th place in the London Marathon. She recently finished 71st in the Tokyo Marathon in two hours and 48 minutes, and is set to compete in the London Marathon again on Sunday, April 26th.
Culling's journey began in earnest during lockdown, where she rediscovered her love for running, finding solace and a sense of accomplishment. This renewed passion led her to join a running club upon returning to London. Realizing her potential, she achieved a time of three hours and five minutes in the 2021 Manchester Marathon. She is now sharing her story and insights in the new BBC Sounds series, Anya Culling's No Limits, aiming to inspire others facing challenges.
