Over separate distances, a record 19, 645 children and young people crossed the world’s most famous Finish Line on The Mall, just 24 hours before more than 59,000 are expected to do the same at the TCS London Marathon (Sunday 26 April).
The TCS Mini London Marathon championships was the day’s curtain-raiser, with the best young athletes and para-athletes in the country taking part, while thousands of schoolchildren of all ages and abilities completed either one mile or 2.6K over the course of the day.
There was plenty of energy and enthusiasm before the children got underway, with Joe Wicks, aka The Body Coach, getting families warmed up. He continued to put smiles on the faces of those who had just completed the event by handing out medals and posing for pictures.
There were also a host of other special guests in attendance, including Jodie Ounsley, otherwise known as Fury in the BBC show Gladiators; Sifan Hassan, the 2023 TCS London Marathon champion and multiple Olympic gold medallist; Jake Wightman, the former 1,500m world champion and Mini London Marathon alumni; David Weir, eight-times London Marathon winner; and Eden Rainbow-Cooper, winner of the 2024 and 2026 Boston Marathons.
Ben Cooper, TCS Mini London Marathon Event Lead, said: “This was the biggest and best TCS Mini London Marathon yet.
“We had another set of outstanding races in our championships event, with more than 1,500 of the UK’s best young athletes and para-athletes taking part this year, including U12 boys and girls for the first time.
“Children from schools across the country, from as far as Leeds, Birmingham and Southport, experienced the magic of the event throughout the day. It was fantastic to see so many families being active together and enjoying the glorious sunny weather in the Fan Zone in St James’s Park afterwards.
"It was a truly inspiring day.”
Expanded TCS Mini London Marathon championships bring the competition
The TCS Mini London Marathon championships got the action underway with a total of 1,531 athletes taking part in 10 fiercely competitive races, in what is a highlight in the junior athletics road-running calendar.
South East runner Poppy Guest made it back-to-back wins after she stormed to victory on The Mall to win the Under-16 race.
She said: “It is the most amazing event, and the atmosphere is just incredible. It meant a lot this year.
“It was a really strong field, I knew I needed to have the perfect tactics to beat them because we’ve got a really strong group of girls in our year.”
A full list of winners from the TCS Mini London Marathon championships and TCS Mini London Marathon Para championships can be found on the event website. Plus, all the reaction from the races.
Thousands embrace magic of the TCS Mini London Marathon
Following the championships, it was the turn of more than 18,000 children and young people as they took part under glorious blue skies.
Ten-year-old Dylan Valavan returned to take part following his memorable appearance in 2025. Dylan, from Surbiton, has cerebral palsy but, as he made his way towards the Finish Line last year, left his walker on The Mall and started doing press-ups.
He returned again this year, with more tricks up his sleeve as he performed a headstand on crossing the Finish Line.
He said: “Never say you can’t do anything; you need to try first. And when you try, you can do it because I fall down, I get back up. I fall down, I get back up. Then I try.
“Trying is like a superpower.”
Families gathered in the Fan Zone to enjoy a variety of activities, with guest appearances on stage from Peppa Pig and family – the day before Daddy Pig runs the 2026 TCS London Marathon alongside his training partner Joe Wicks.
Theodore, six, and Henry, seven, who are cousins, came from Kent with their mums to take part.
“The running was the best bit,” said Theodore, “and it was good to see Joe Wicks too! I love the medal! We’re definitely coming back next time!”
Mark and Caroline, from Hertfordshire, brought their three children – Charlotte, five, Freddie, 11, and Molly, seven, to take part.
Molly said: “I loved seeing my friends finish!” Freddie added: “My favourite bit was seeing Buckingham Palace.”
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 event by signing up to the TCS Mini London Marathon in schools, which takes place until Friday 1 May 2026. More than 588,000 children are currently registered, and you can find out more on the TCS Mini London Marathon in schools page.