London Marathon 2026: Celebrities Smash Records in Sweltering Race

The London Marathon 2026 took place this weekend, with nearly 60,000 participants making it one of the largest fields in the event's history. Celebrities from showbiz and sport joined the massive fundraising event, with many achieving personal bests despite the sweltering conditions.

Celebrity Highlights

Cynthia Erivo, running for the Kings Trust and Shameless Fund, beat her 2022 time by finishing in three hours and 35 minutes. She said: "There was a little rough moment where I thought it was never going to make it, but then I found a little bit of strength. I'm proud."

Spencer Matthews missed his sub-three-hour goal by just four seconds but still finished seven minutes faster than last year, posting a time of three hours and four seconds. He was supported by his wife Vogue Williams and their children along the iconic route.

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Sebastian Vettel, the four-time Formula 1 world champion, was the fastest celebrity, completing his first marathon in two hours, 59 minutes, and eight seconds. He ran for the Brain & Spine Foundation and the Grand Prix Trust.

Sir Alastair Cook, former England cricket captain, finished in three hours, five minutes, and 15 seconds, quipping: "Cricket's easy. When you've finished, when you're not very good, you cash out and sit down. There's no hiding place here."

Harry Judd crossed the line in three hours, five minutes, and 25 seconds, while Joe Wicks took five hours and 51 minutes. Tilly Ramsay, 24, completed the course in four hours and one minute.

Alexandra Burke, 37, battled a chest infection to finish in four hours and 25 minutes. AJ Pritchard, raising money for Marie Curie, managed five hours, 15 minutes, and 27 seconds.

Daddy Pig, from the Peppa Pig family, waddled around in aid of the National Deaf Children's Society, taking almost six hours to finish.

Potential Schedule Change

Organisers are exploring the possibility of changing the schedule to hold elite men's and women's competitions on separate days, which could boost charity fundraising by doubling the number of amateur runners able to take part.