More than 15,000 people, the most in the event's history, were cheered on by crowds of families and friends as they took on one mile or 2.6K courses around St James’s Park, experiencing the same iconic Finish Line as the TCS London Marathon.
The day began with Championship races for the best young athletes and para-athletes in the country, while thousands of schoolchildren of all ages and abilities completed the distances over the course of the day.
To celebrate the 40th edition of the event, former participants were invited back to take part in a special 40th alumni wave. For the first time, the event was livestreamed with coverage on BBC Sport and BBC iPlayer, with tens of thousands more watching the action unfold online.
As part of the charity partnership with WWF-UK, Joe Wicks, who is taking on the TCS London Marathon tomorrow, was on hand throughout the day to lead warm-ups and hand out medals to awe-struck youngsters.
Ben Cooper, TCS Mini London Marathon Event Lead, said: “The TCS Mini London Marathon is one of the most inspirational days in our annual calendar.”
“Every year we see thousands of young people take on the challenge on this incredible route. The beauty and appeal of this event is that it is for all children, whatever their ability or experience, and the event is growing every year.
“In its 40th edition, it was great to celebrate athletes who have taken part over the last four decades, as well as veteran from the very first event back in 1986.
One of the Mini London Marathon was Anne Gifford who won the U17 race. She lined up with her friend Debbie Appleton, a winner of the U15 race in the first edition, and three others from the year.
“It was a privilege to be asked to come back,” said Gifford, 57. “It was a celebration that we could still do it at our age! We’re not chasing times or medals anymore but simply doing it to stay fit and healthy. We saw so many people enjoying this sport and it's a really great day to celebrate the simplicity and beauty of exercise. Five of us who did it in 1986 are back here today and we still love it! It has got so much bigger, and it really mirrors the London Marathon in making a difference to people’s lives.”
The Championships event, attracts the best young athletes and para-athletes from across the UK.
They are all following in the footsteps of British athletics greats including Sir Mo Farah, Keely Hodgkinson and David Weir who have all taken part in the event.
South East racer Poppy Guest, who runs for Aldershot, Farnham and District Athletic Club, won the U15 Girls’ category in a new course record of 08:13.
She said: “I really wasn’t expecting it, but I am thrilled with it, it is my favourite race of the year. There is so much hype around it, and it really is the one. I really like the road and it felt like it went so fast.”
There U13 Girls’ winner Jessica Thake (pictured below, Hallamshire Harriers, Yorkshire and Humberside) who ran 08:42, four seconds quicker than the previous best.
View the flash quotes from some of the championship winners.
The Championship winners:
- U13 Girls – Jessica Thake
- U13 Boys –Thomas Hastings
- U15 Girls – Poppy Guest
- U15 Boys – Freddie Gibson
- U17 Women – Isla Mcgowan
- U17 Men – Thomas Webb
Ambulant
- U14 Girls – Olivia Stewart
- U14 Boys – Jason Brown Unaigwe
- U17 Women – Ella Richards
- U17 Men – Josh Pullen
Wheelchair
- U14 Girls – Imogen Ashwell-Rice
- U14 Boys – Toby Metzgen (T33/34) and Harry Corness (T53/54)
- U17 Men – Toby Richardson
- U17 Women – Niamh Currie
You can view the full results on Mika.
After the Championships races friends, teachers and family supported thousands of schoolchildren aged four to 17 in the mass participation event.
Emma, from Southall in west London, took part with her schoolmates. The seven-year-old said: “It was good and kind of hard, but it’s the furthest I have ever run. I’m really proud of myself!”
Hunter ran the 2.6K distance with his brother, Hugo. Their parents have both run the London Marathon, and his mother joked: “They are lucky to do the last bit of the marathon without all the training!”
Hunter already has the running bug and completed his first adult parkrun two weeks ago. He said the Mini was a great event. “It was hard, but it was worth it for this medal!”
As part of a commitment to inspire future generations of runners and to encourage participation, every participant aged 17 or under who finishes the TCS Mini London Marathon earned £10 from title partner Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) for their school to spend on PE or IT equipment.
Schools can still be part of the TCS Mini London Marathon in Schools, with the event window open until Friday 2 May 2025. You can find out more on the TCS Mini London Marathon in schools page.