Wicked star Cynthia Erivo and former England footballer Tony Adams will be among the thousands racing in the TCS London Marathon on Sunday, in what is set to be its biggest year yet. Record-breaking numbers are expected at the start line in Greenwich, with more than 59,000 participants gearing up to race in warm sunshine.
Weather and Participation
Temperatures are forecast to reach the high teens, with organisers advising participants to stay hydrated and wear lightweight clothing. Last year, the event broke the Guinness World Record for the most finishers in a marathon, with 56,640 participants completing the course – a record organisers hope to beat this year.
Around 55.7% of registered participants are male, 44.2% female, and 0.15% non-binary. It is set to be the most inclusive London Marathon in history, with more than 1,900 people with disabilities registered to take part, organisers said.
Celebrity Runners
Oscar-nominee Erivo, who ran in 2022, will race for The King’s Trust and Shameless Fund, while former Arsenal captain Adams is racing for the first time in support of the Forward Trust. Speaking on the Nobody Asked Us with Des and Kara podcast, Erivo said: “A win is if we get there and it’s less than 3.35 (her 2022 run time). If we get 3.20, that’s the win... The other side is actually getting to this weekend and getting to the start line tomorrow is a huge win.”
Former England cricketer Sir Alastair Cook will race for the second year running in aid of the Ruth Strauss Foundation, while children’s TV character Daddy Pig from Peppa Pig will take part alongside “The Body Coach” Joe Wicks. In a specially-designed costume, Daddy Pig will run for the National Deaf Children’s Society after a Peppa Pig storyline revealed George Pig is moderately deaf.
Notable Participants
Among those racing in costume is Jordan Adams, who plans to strap a fridge to his back “because we are all carrying something. And we don’t have to carry it alone,” he said through mental health charity Mind. Mr Adams was diagnosed with early-onset frontotemporal dementia in 2018.
Elite runners include Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe, who placed first in his category last year, and Rafael Botello Jimenez from Spain in the men’s wheelchair field. Last year’s fastest woman, Tigst Assefa from Ethiopia, will hope to retain her crown, while Mauritia’s Noemi Alphonse will be among top competitors in the women’s wheelchair field.
The oldest participants are Harry Newton, 88, and Maria Rivera, 86. Celebrating their 18th birthdays on marathon day are Olivier Smythe, Khadija Khalfaoui and Molly Bull-Diamond, the youngest racers.
World Record Attempts
Some 76 participants are hoping to break 73 Guinness World Records, including Jennifer Ferris, 40, who will attempt the world’s fastest marathon with a double mastectomy in aid of Breast Cancer Now. Mark Goulder, 35, hopes to break the record for the fastest marathon blindfolded (tethered), inspired by his brother Bobby, who has Stargardt’s disease. Royal Marines Commando veteran Simon Fannon will attempt the record for longest scarf knitted while running, and Ben Spencer, 52, will attempt the fastest marathon in a non-racing wheelchair (male).
Fundraising and Campaigns
Last year, the event raised a record £87.3 million, bringing the cumulative total since 1981 to £1.4 billion. Marie Curie, the event’s charity of the year for 2026, hopes to raise £2 million for end-of-life care. This year, the estimated 800,000 spectators will be encouraged to sign up to give blood as part of the Blood, Sweat and Cheers campaign.
