The organizers of the 2026 London Marathon have revealed that this year’s race has broken its own fundraising record. The event has raised over £87.5 million for charity, surpassing last year’s record of £87.3 million. The final total is expected to exceed £90 million when announced in September.
Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events, expressed delight in surpassing the previous fundraising record and thanked all participants and donors who supported a wide range of charities.
The London Marathon is known as the largest annual one-day fundraising event globally. The recent race, held last Sunday, witnessed Sabastian Sawe making history by completing the 26.2-mile run in under two hours. He set a new world record of one hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds. Ethiopian runner Tigst Assefa also set a new women’s world record with a time of two hours, 15 minutes, and 41 seconds. Moreover, a record-breaking 59,830 participants finished the marathon.
Brasher described the event as a day of remarkable achievements, from elite runners setting extraordinary times to record participation and fundraising efforts.
Plans are underway for a two-day London Marathon event next year that aims to raise over £130 million for charity and generate £400 million in social and economic benefits. Discussions with various stakeholders, including the BBC, are ongoing to ensure significant TV coverage for both days. The event director emphasized the need for thorough consultations with relevant authorities to finalize the plans successfully.
The National Autistic Society has been chosen as the official charity for the 2027 London Marathon. The organization expressed excitement about promoting inclusivity and launching campaigns to support autistic individuals during the upcoming event.