The TCS London Marathon is set to make history this Sunday, with more than 56,000 runners preparing to tackle the iconic 26.2-mile route through the capital.
With warm, dry weather and temperatures reaching up to 22°C forecast, London could claim the world record for the largest marathon, surpassing the current mark held by the TCS New York Marathon, which saw 55,646 finishers in November.
Participants in this year’s TCS London Marathon represent a diverse field, with around 55.3% male, 44.5% female, and 0.15% identifying as non-binary.
The youngest runner, Lucy Jones, will celebrate her 18th birthday on race day, while the oldest entrants, Mohan Kudchadker (84) and Mary Jo Brinkman (83), have travelled from the United States to join the event.
Among the competitors are six remarkable men, known as the “Ever Presents,” who have completed every London Marathon since its inception in 1981.
Chris Finill, Malcolm Speake, Michael Peace, Jeffrey Aston, Bill O’Connor, and David Walker will all be running their 45th consecutive race on Sunday.
The event will also carry emotional significance for David Stancombe and Sergio Aguiar, who are running in memory of their daughters, Elsie Dot Stancombe (7) and Alice da Silva Aguiar (9), tragically killed in last summer’s Southport attack. They are fundraising for charitable projects honouring their daughters and Bebe King (6), who also lost her life during the incident.
Celebrity runners will add a touch of glamour to the race. Emmerdale actor Tony Audenshaw, returning to the London Marathon for the first time since 2015, is fundraising for Pancreatic Cancer UK following the death of his wife, Ruth, in 2017.
Marking what would have been their 24th wedding anniversary, Audenshaw described the decision to run as feeling “just right.” Speaking to PA, he reflected on training at 60, saying: “Running at 60 is very different to running at 40. Too many runners overthink it. Just get out, get running, and you’ll get the reward.”
Also taking part are Rivals star Lisa McGrillis, who is running for the British Heart Foundation alongside her best friend Mary Cann, whose husband Nigel died from a heart attack last year.
Despite injury setbacks during training, McGrillis said she hopes to “push through” on the day — and then retire from running for good.
Other famous faces lacing up their trainers include comedian and presenter Romesh Ranganathan, McFly drummer Harry Judd, and singer Alexandra Burke, all of whom will bring further star power to what promises to be a truly unforgettable London race.
The 2024 TCS London Marathon is shaping up not just as a sporting spectacle, but a poignant celebration of resilience, community, and personal triumph.
