The TCS London Marathon spreads happiness and inspiration to all who connect with the event, according to a report from Sheffield Hallam University, undertaken at the event in 2025.
Created in 1981 to ‘have fun and provide some happiness and a sense of achievement in a somewhat troubled world’, the TCS London Marathon is living up to the mission statement from its founders Chris Brasher and John Disley.
The research shows:
- 85% of participants felt happier because of training for and running the event
- Four out of five spectators (80%) reported they were inspired to participate more frequently in running events or physical activity more generally
- Three out of four (74%) spectators said attending made them feel more happier than usual
- Nearly two-thirds of volunteers (64%) reported a positive difference to how satisfied they felt about their lives
Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events, said:
“It may be 45 years since the London Marathon was created to ‘have fun and provide some happiness and a sense of achievement in a somewhat troubled world,’ but those founding words feel just as powerful today - perhaps even more so.
The latest statistics from the 2025 TCS London Marathon confirm what many of us already sensed: this remarkable event lifts the spirits of everyone it touches. It brings joy, inspires people to get active, and injects real positivity into everyday life. On top of that, it delivers an extraordinary economic boost and generates fundraising on a scale few events can match.
In every sense, it remains a genuine antidote to the challenges of the world around us.”
The Sheffield Hallam University study, commissioned by London Marathon Events (LME) surveyed 10,700 individuals connected to the event including participants, spectators, staff and volunteers, and local businesses.
The findings also showed total economic activity generated in the UK as a result of the TCS London Marathon taking place, is estimated at £226m while the direct impact to London is £68m.
Key statistics – impact of 2025 TCS London Marathon
- £226m total economic activity generated in the UK.
- £68m direct economic impact on London.
- £20m net export effect for the UK.
- UK economic importance up 35% since 2022.
- London economic impact up 34% since 2022.
- UK net export effect up 93% since 2022.
- Charity fundraising reached £87.3m.
- Average 4.33 supporters per participant (~250,000 supporters).
- 82% of non‑London spectators expect to return to London within a year.
- Over 4,700 volunteers contributed 50,000+ hours.
- 100% of pubs/bars surveyed were busier than a normal Sunday.
- 66% of businesses surveyed said Marathon Sunday was among their busiest days of the year.
Read our Impact Report
