The KADS King of the Marathon
Ray Johnson was a member of KADS for many years and a legendary marathon runner, including 27 consecutive London Marathons. This page pulls together media from his life, provided by his wife Barbara, who has provided the introduction below. Our thanks to Barbara for gifting us access to this fascinating and inspiring material.
Barbara Johnson, August 2025
Raymond Johnson, affectionately known by firemen and friends as Ray Jonno. Ray has spent 30 years service at Central and Stockhill Fire Stations from 1955 and retiring in 1985 at 53 years old.
He was an extremely fit man; very active and spent all his life doing sporting activities. He played and ran the Fire Brigade Football Team until after he retired, cycled and raced with the Castle cycling club, but as the years passed was better known for his running.in 1981 a team of firemen decided to train and enter the 1st London Marathon which Ray completed 27 consecutive years in very fast for his age times.
The first few years we waited in Nottingham until after midnight to have his entry franked early to make sure of entry. After a few races Ray was entered for his times for this age.
After running 15 times, the other 42 runners from all over the world were gathered together and formed an everpresent team. This team were entered every following year provided they didn't miss one. The team consists of just five runners, one who ran his 1st on his 18th birthday.
The organisers have really looked after the team and all met up at functions through the years. Ray was the only Midlands representative, always in a KADS running vest.
Married to Barbara for 63 happy years, he was wonderful dad of Beverley, Hazel and Scott. A grandad and great grandad, he was a very much loved man. Barbara did 4 Londons, Hazel ran 11 and Pete, her husband, also 5. Pete organised the Goose Fair Gallop. All the family did jobs with KADS club and Ray was chairman for many years.
Raymond Johnson, affectionately known by firemen and friends as Ray Jonno. Ray has spent 30 years service at Central and Stockhill Fire Stations from 1955 and retiring in 1985 at 53 years old.
He was an extremely fit man; very active and spent all his life doing sporting activities. He played and ran the Fire Brigade Football Team until after he retired, cycled and raced with the Castle cycling club, but as the years passed was better known for his running.in 1981 a team of firemen decided to train and enter the 1st London Marathon which Ray completed 27 consecutive years in very fast for his age times.
The first few years we waited in Nottingham until after midnight to have his entry franked early to make sure of entry. After a few races Ray was entered for his times for this age.
After running 15 times, the other 42 runners from all over the world were gathered together and formed an everpresent team. This team were entered every following year provided they didn't miss one. The team consists of just five runners, one who ran his 1st on his 18th birthday.
The organisers have really looked after the team and all met up at functions through the years. Ray was the only Midlands representative, always in a KADS running vest.
Married to Barbara for 63 happy years, he was wonderful dad of Beverley, Hazel and Scott. A grandad and great grandad, he was a very much loved man. Barbara did 4 Londons, Hazel ran 11 and Pete, her husband, also 5. Pete organised the Goose Fair Gallop. All the family did jobs with KADS club and Ray was chairman for many years.
