A diverse group of actors, athletes and even a cartoon character will join nearly 59,000 runners in the 2026 London Marathon, many aiming for personal goals while fundraising for charities
The 2026 London Marathon brings together a wide mix of participants: elite athletes, club runners, fundraisers and recognisable names from screen, sport and social media. Among the crowd will be returning competitors who have run the course before and newcomers trying the full 26.2 miles for the first time.
Celebrities are running for a variety of causes, and their presence helps shine a light on the charities they support as tens of thousands of everyday runners line up alongside them.
Although the star names attract headlines, the event remains a mass-participation celebration of endurance and community.
The field for 2026 is notably large, with more than 59,000 runners expected and a record number of ballot applications submitted. Whether you follow for performance targets, fundraising milestones or the spectacle of seeing familiar faces on the streets of London, the race mixes sporting ambition with public engagement in a way few events do.
Who is joining the start line?
Returning celebrities
Several public figures who have tackled the course before will be back in 2026. Actress Cynthia Erivo, who completed the race previously in 3:35:36, is running again while fundraising for The King’s Trust and the Shameless Fund. Musicians and media personalities such as Harry Judd — whose marathon personal best is 3:10:38 — also return, demonstrating how celebrities sometimes become regulars, balancing training, public schedules and charity commitments. Other repeat entrants include runners who have used the London streets to pursue faster times, raise awareness or simply join the communal experience.
First-time marathoners and high-profile debuts
The 2026 roster features an array of first-time marathon challengers from different worlds. Film and TV actor Jack O’Connell is joining the start to support Alzheimer’s Research UK, while former Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel will make his marathon debut to raise funds for the Brain & Spine Foundation and the Grand Prix Trust. Sports stars turning to the road include cycling great Dame Laura Kenny, stepping up to 26.2 miles for charity, and former football captain Tony Adams, who will run in support of his chosen causes.
Notable goals, times and causes
Personal bests and charity aims
Some celebrities are chasing specific performance targets while others prioritise fundraising. Cynthia Erivo has publicly set her sights on a faster time than her previous 3:35:36, hoping to close in on a sub-3:15 mark. Pop culture figures such as Joe Wicks will run alongside unlikely companions — in this case the costumed character Daddy Pig from the Peppa Pig franchise — with both raising money for different charities, including the National Deaf Children’s Society. Former cricketer Sir Alastair Cook is returning after a 3:16:42 finish while other participants such as Alexandra Burke, John Robins and Bryony Gordon bring a mix of fundraising goals and personal challenges to the start line.
Celebrity training stories
Training narratives vary widely: some are chasing conversion from other sports or careers into distance running, such as seven-time Olympic cyclist Dame Laura Kenny and sailing legend Sir Ben Ainslie, who is preparing for his marathon debut. Professional dancers and entertainers like Nikita Kuzmin aim for competitive times while using their platforms to benefit causes such as Diabetes UK. Other entrants, including comedians and broadcasters, often combine humour and vulnerability in public training diaries, which helps amplify the fundraising messages behind their efforts.
Practical information for spectators and supporters
Route, start times and spectator tips
The race begins in Blackheath and Greenwich and follows the traditional route through southeast and central London to finish on The Mall, close to Buckingham Palace. Runners pass iconic sights including the Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf and the Elizabeth Tower. The first waves depart at around 09:30 BST and later waves continue until roughly 11:30, with staggered starts used to manage the volume of participants. Spectators are advised to plan for extensive road closures and limited parking, and to arrive early if they want a good vantage point near the finish where crowds are largest.
Family-friendly events and community elements
On the day before the main event, the TCS Mini London Marathon invites selected school pupils to run the final mile into The Mall, creating a festival atmosphere that complements the elite and mass fields. For those supporting celebrity entrants, social channels and charity pages often post live updates, fundraising links and suggested meeting spots. With more than 59,000 runners on the start list and a record number of ballot applications, the event underlines the scale and public appeal of the London Marathon as both a sporting spectacle and a platform for charitable giving.
