London Marathon Poised to Become the World’s Largest Race
The TCS London Marathon is on track to break records this April as organisers push to surpass the 55,646 finishers who completed last year’s New York Marathon. If they succeed, this year’s race could officially become the world’s largest, a milestone that would cement London’s position at the heart of global distance running. Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events, believes this 45th edition of the race is more than just a numbers game.
“We have this incredible demand, and we believe it’s almost our duty to try and get as many people as we can,”
he said, stressing that the expansion is about inclusion, accessibility, and encouraging more people to embrace the challenge. With 40,000 participants in previous years, the 2025 event is expected to not only break records but also create a better race-day experience, thanks to expert crowd management insights from scientists at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Beyond the record-breaking potential, the London Marathon continues to be a powerhouse for charitable fundraising. Last year alone, it generated £73.5 million for good causes, with organisers estimating the economic impact at over £250 million. This year’s event, which takes place on 27th April, will be the most inclusive in its history, with record participation from women, runners from diverse ethnic backgrounds, and athletes with disabilities. Mr Brasher highlighted the event’s evolution since its launch in 1981 when just over 6,000 predominantly male club runners took part. “Our ambition is to make the TCS London Marathon the most inclusive marathon in the world and truly reflect the population of this great city,” he said.
The event will also be an emotional moment for many participants. Among them are David Stancombe and Sergio Aguiar, running in memory of their daughters Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar, who were tragically murdered in Southport last July. Their fundraising efforts will support local charities, including the creation of a playground at Churchtown Primary School. “It will be an incredibly personal moment for them, but a personal moment that’s shared with the running community,” said Mr Brasher, recognising the marathon’s unique ability to bring people together.
This sense of unity and collective achievement has been a core value of the London Marathon since its inception. “It was one of the original pillars that my father and John Disley wanted to show—that the family of humankind can be united,” said Mr Brasher. “We live in a world more divided than ever before, yet on this day, you will see people from all walks of life, all nationalities, all demographics, coming together and helping one another even though they have never met before.”
In addition to the main race, the TCS Mini London Marathon will take place the day before, on 26th April, with around 17,000 children running, jogging, or wheeling their way to the finish line on The Mall. This marks its 40th anniversary and is set to be the largest timed children’s race in the world. Meanwhile, to celebrate the 45th edition of the marathon, organisers are inviting past participants to contribute photos and videos of their race experiences, which will be showcased in a digital exhibition at a central London location on 25th April.
With such ambitious goals, London is preparing to step into the global spotlight, and the city’s passion for long-distance running shows no signs of slowing down. For more on the event, including route details and how to watch, visit the official London Marathon website here.
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[Image Credit: Michael Garnett]
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