Anoosheh and Simon’s marathon promise fulfilled

Anoosheh Ashoori dreamt of running the London Marathon throughout the five years that he was arbitrarily detained in Evin prison, and in April 2025 – at the age of 71 – he completed it for the fourth time since his release – this time with his friend Simon Shercliff.

The duo made a promise to each other to run together, and in fulfilling this promise have also raised more than £14,000 for Hostage International to support our work with those affected by hostage-taking and arbitrary detentions.

Anoosheh and Simon pictured above greeting the Hostage International team of supporters as they entered the final mile of the London Marathon. 

When Anoosheh was arbitrarily detained in Iran he became determined to keep fit in body and mind and spent hours training in the exercise courtyard before being released in March 2022 – in time to run the London Marathon that year. He has now run it every year since his homecoming, each time raising money for two charities which supported him and his family throughout his incarceration, Hostage International and Amnesty International.

This marathon promise was made while Anoosheh was still incarcerated in Evin. Simon was the British ambassador to Iran during Anoosheh’s final few months in prison and was involved in negotiating his release; the two have become lifelong friends as a result of this connection.

This year saw the first opportunity for the duo to run together, after Simon returned from his posting in Tehran in July 2024. He quickly dusted off his trainers to start getting ready for the marathon.

Anoosheh said: “I met Simon in my darkest days of arbitrary detention, never sure if I would ever be free, but I tried to remain hopeful and was determined to keep my dream of freedom alive.

“When we first met, I’d mentioned that I’d been keeping fit by taking the opportunity to run at any chance I had when I was allowed.

“I shared my goal of running the London Marathon and Simon promised me that if I made it home then we could run together, in solidarity.”

On 27 April 2025, the pair crossed the finish line after a hot 6 hours and 21 minutes through the streets of London.

Simon said: “What an amazing and memorable day!

“The crowds, cheers, music and tremendous support carried us through and Anoosheh was – yet again – a complete hero. His resolve and determination are second to none – I was so proud to run alongside him and cross the finish line arm in arm.

“It meant so much to us to fulfil our pledge. Thank you so much to all who supported us in raising funds and spreading awareness for Hostage International, and to Hostage International themselves for making it all happen.”

Anoosheh thanked all their supporters and added: “I am so proud that we finished and raised so much for Hostage International.

“Throughout I remembered my two golden rules: Golden Rule No 1: Always remember that perseverance pays off, and Golden Rule No 2: Never forget golden rule number 1!”

Speaking before the marathon, Simon said: “Anoosheh is an extraordinary individual – he has been an inspiration to so many of us even if we cannot imagine the hardships he went through.

“We made this promise during a difficult situation that brought us together, and which binds us together for the rest of our lives. So I was determined to make it come true.

“The first thing that I did when I saw Anoosheh after my return home to the UK was to remind him of our promise.

“This whole endeavour gives us a chance to enjoy the fun things that freedom has to offer, while remembering how it all started. Raising awareness and money for those who are affected by cruel and arbitrary detentions and hostage-taking, wherever they may be, is sadly a critical and enduring need.”

Please give what you can via their JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/anoosheh-and-simon

We would like to thank Amnesty International UK for helping us create the video of Anoosheh and Simon training in Greenwich park. 

April 2025