From world records to Daddy Pig: inside London Marathon’s most ambitious year yet
As the 46th London Marathon approaches, Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events, looks ahead to another landmark weekend in the capital
“It’s going to be another year of records. One we’re certain to break is it will be the largest ever TCS London Marathon, and it will be the largest ever TCS Mini London Marathon.
“And for the first time ever, we’ve also got an event on the Friday night: the TCS London Marathon and Friday Night Lights, which is a collaboration of a 5K with lights and music in Battersea Park.
“We are expecting around 59,000 – maybe a few more – runners to finish the event on Sunday. And we have some mouth-watering elite races to watch.
On the elite men’s and women’s races:
“I think my personal favourite for once – it’s normally been the women’s [race] – but I think for once it is going to be the men’s race: Sabastian Sawe, Jacob Kiplimo, [Yomif] Kejelcha on his debut and Tamirat Tola as the Olympic champion.
“I think it’s going to be an incredible race. And, if we get good conditions, then I’m sure that all sorts of records could potentially be broken.
“In the women’s race, we have Tigst Assefa, the defending champion, against the [TCS] New York City [Marathon] champion, Hellen Obiri, which again should be an incredible race. And I'm sure they're going to be trying to beat Tigst’s women's-only world record that she set at the 2025 event.”
On the elite wheelchair races
“Coming off a superb win at the Boston Marathon [on Monday], we’ve got Marcel Hug, who is trying to equal David Weir’s record for the most number of wins, and Catherine Debrunner, who was only one and a half seconds off the world record last year in the wheelchair event.
On Daddy Pig’s marathon debut:
“So, we’re looking at record numbers – and I think everyone maybe has heard that Daddy Pig is also running, both in the event and in the [TV] programme itself, raising funds for George for the National Deaf Children's Society and raising awareness of hearing loss.
“There are always some incredibly moving charity stories too. Marie Curie is our charity of the year in 2026. We're really looking forward to another fantastic day.”
On the founding pillars of the London Marathon:
“One of the original goals of my father [Chris Brasher] and John Disley when founding the London Marathon was to show some joy and happiness in a somewhat troubled world. And I think that those words resonate more in 2026 than they even did in 1981.”
On the growing appeal of the event:
“One of the incredible things [about the 2026 TCS London Marathon Ballot], was that 860,000 UK people applied in eight days – and more than a third of them were aged 18 to 29.
“I think that marathon running is so popular because it genuinely brings people together. And having these real-life experiences is what the world needs more of – and people are reaching out for more.
“We are far more similar than we are different; that’s the reality. You meet people [around the world] and you realise how kind they are.
“The vast, vast majority of people are unbelievably welcoming. That’s what the London Marathon shows; that’s what marathons around the world show. And I think we need more of that community spirit and more of that togetherness.”