London Marathon Breaks Fundraising Records, Raises a Whopping £87.5m
Imagine being part of an event that raises an astonishing £87.5 million for charity in just one day. That's exactly what happened at the 2026 London Marathon. Held in London last Sunday, the marathon not only shattered last year's fundraising record of £87.3 million but is also expected to go even higher, exceeding £90 million when the final figure is confirmed later this year. The BBC reported on this incredible achievement, and it's no surprise - the event was truly exceptional from start to finish.
The standout performances on the course were just as impressive. Kenya's Sabastian Sawe made history by becoming the first athlete to complete an official marathon in under two hours. He finished in an incredible 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds. In the women's race, Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa set a new women-only world record with a time of 2 hours, 15 minutes, and 41 seconds. These incredible achievements only added to the excitement of the event.
But that's not all - the marathon also set a participation milestone, with an impressive 59,830 runners crossing the finish line, making it the highest number recorded in a marathon. To put that into perspective, that's over 59,000 people from all walks of life coming together to support a great cause. It's a testament to the power of community and the impact that people can have when they work together towards a common goal.
London Marathon Events' chief executive, Hugh Brasher, described the day as "extraordinary." He praised the "world records, the participation numbers, and the fundraising" as being truly exceptional. Brasher also thanked everyone who fundraised and donated to the event, saying it was "fantastic" to know they had already surpassed the previous record. He added that the scale of support from runners and donors had pushed the event to new heights.
The final fundraising total will be officially confirmed in September, but one thing is certain - the 2026 London Marathon will be remembered for years to come as an incredible event that made a real difference in the lives of many.