More than 8,000 finishers and a new Guinness World Record make 2026 Vitality Westminster Mile one to remember

Plaids, stripes and fleecy onesies were the order of the day as pyjama-clad participants of all ages completed a mile around St James’s Park.  
 
Among them were Natalie Doble and her partner Alex, with their three-year-old daughter Willow and 18-month-old son Rowan, who were taking part in the event for the second year in succession.  
 
“I used to do a lot of running and events before I had kids, and I always said I wanted to involve them rather than stop doing those things, so it’s really nice to come to events like this where you can do that.  
 
“My kids have done a few races with me now, some in the buggy, and it’s a good grounding to keep them active.” 
 
Two-time Olympian Chris Thompson, who also took part with his family, agreed, saying: “This is really important for the next generation just to be in this environment, enjoying it and seeing all the kids and parents and families having fun. You can’t fault it, it’s brilliant.” 
 
Alongside the 25-mile races taking part during the day was the Vitality Wellness Festival in Green Park. The free family event offered taster sessions and activities for all ages – from cricket and basketball to dance and martial arts. Partners Vitality and New Balance offered outdoor games and fun challenges, while creative kids could try their hand at crafts with The Daily Mile. 
 
For the ambitious, there were two Guinness World Record attempts to try – the ‘most large LEGO® bricks stacked in 30 seconds’ and the ‘most aerobics step ups in one minute’.  
 
Giving the step-up challenge a go was Montell Douglas, who plays Gladiator ‘Fire’ and is also a British Olympian.  
 
“Today is so much fun; it’s about families, trying your best, people coming out and experiencing the beautiful weather, moving their bodies, and if you can do it with family and friends then what more can you ask for?  
 
“Trying the Guiness World record today for step-ups in 30 seconds was as hard as I thought it was going to be,” she laughed. “A sprinter runs for about 10 or 11 seconds, so to go for 30 seconds is a long time, but this is about doing your absolute best and I did that.” 
 
London 2012 legacy 
 
The Westminster Mile has been inspiring activity since it was launched in 2013, the year after London hosted the 2012 Olympic Games, as a legacy event.  
 
It’s become one of the capital’s most fun, accessible and inclusive events, welcoming all ages and abilities. For Shakera Johnson from Croydon, taking part was a family affair, with three generations starting and finishing together. 
 
“It was really good,” said Shakera afterwards. “I signed everyone up without telling them, then announced, ‘Let’s do this!’  
 
“I’ve got my Mum Karen, my Dad Omar, my sister Amara and my son Isiah here with me today. We travelled from Croydon and it was really fun to take part as a family. We haven’t done anything like this before. It’s inspiring! 
 
“We heard about the event through The Daily Mile at the kids’ school [Singlegate Primary School in Colliers Wood]. It’s been fun to take the Daily Mile out of the playground and do a mile here.”   
 
The Daily Mile wave was just one of the waves taken over by a variety of organisations and charities, including junior parkrun, the Joe’s Wicks’s Body Coach Foundation, the Ruth Strauss Foundation, the Scouts and Children with Cancer UK, which was started by broadcaster and DJ Adele Roberts. 
 
BMC Bannister Mile 
 
The final wave of the day saw some of the fastest one-mile runners in the UK take part in the British Milers Club Bannister Mile, which this year incorporated the British Athletics One Mile Road Race Championships.  
 
Cameron Boyek was first home, taking the win in 4:02, just missing the magic four-mile-mile mark, but delighted nonetheless with his performance. 
 
“It’s my first time here,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to come down and do it because I’ve watched it for many years.  
 
“I’m relieved to take the win, because I thought I’d lost it coming into the final corner. Tom [Dodd] hit the front, but I was just strong enough to come past him in the sprint.”  
 
In the women’s BMC Bannister Mile, Kate Axford equalled the women’s course record as she finished in 4:23 on her debut at the race.  
 
“To win feels amazing! It’s the first time I’ve done this race and it’s obviously an added bonus to take that title away today.  
 
“It’s really nice to get in the mix with the boys as well. It’s nice to have that camaraderie between men and women – you don’t get that often, and to have it around you really carries you through the race, rather than going solo.”  
 
Elaine Rayner, Event Lead of the Vitality Westminster Mile, said the event had once again delivered a day of inspiring activity and record-breaking family fun. 
 
“The day was absolutely amazing. We had over 8,000 finishers, we got a Guinness World Record and it’s been really inspiring to see so many young people and everyone get involved. 

“The wellness festival has been super-busy all day with lots of activities, and I can’t complain because the sun is shining. 
 
Check out the full quotes from participants at the 2026 Vitality Westminster Mile, including broadcaster Sophie Raworth, Gladiator Montell Douglas and the BMC Bannister Mile winners, and view interviews with some of today’s participants. 
 
Entries for the 2027 Vitality Westminster Mile on Saturday 25 September are open now.