The London Marathon returns on Sunday, with the 44th edition of the capitals most popular race taking place around the capital.
Last year’s race brought out record-breaking numbers, with 48,000 runners featuring in the race, the biggest ever number of participants, according to event organisers.
And among the masses there are always a few celebrities to be spotted.
Last year Adele Roberts received a Guinness Record as she became the fastest person to ever run the race with a stoma bag. But who will be pounding the pavements this year?
From a BAFTA award winner to a Ted Lasso actor and the soap stars running for a heartfelt storyline, we take a look at all the celebrities running the London marathon.
From a BAFTA award winner Romesh Ranganathan (R) to Ted Lasso star Phil Dunster (L), we take a look at all the celebrities running the London marathon
Last year Adele Roberts received a Guinness Record as she became the fastest person to ever run the race with a stoma bag. But who will be pounding the pavements this year?
Romesh Ranganathan
Comedian Romesh Ranganathan has challenged himself to run the London Marathon in aid of mental health charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably).
The BAFTA award winner has been a patron of the charity since October 2023 after struggling with his own mental health himself.
Sharing his training with his followers over on Instagram, he said: ‘I said I’d never run a marathon but here I am. I’m not sure where I’d be today if I didn’t get help when I hit rock bottom.
‘In fact, I don’t know if I’d be here at all. So, I want to help to make sure more people know about CALM’s life-saving services, as well as raising as much money as I can.’
The star has also confessed his biggest fear is not managing to get to the toilet on time and having an unfortunate poo accident during the race.
The comedian has also confessed his biggest fear is not managing to get to the toilet on time and having an unfortunate poo accident during the race
The BAFTA award winner has been a patron of the charity since October 2023 after struggling with his own mental health himself
Phil Dunster
Ted Lasso star Phil Dunster, who played Jamie Tartt in the hit sports comedy-drama, is taking on the iconic road race for Young Lives vs Cancer.
Sharing his own personal story, Phil’s cousin’s son, Rory, was diagnosed with a brain tumour aged just four months old as he explained the charity helped his family throughout Rory’s illness.
The actor said: ‘I’m extremely grateful for everything Young Lives vs Cancer does. That’s why I’m taking on the London Marathon this year. Because without fundraising from folks like us, they wouldn’t exist’
Sharing his own personal story, Phil’s cousin’s son, Rory, was diagnosed with a brain tumour aged just four months old as he explained the charity helped his family throughout Rory’s illness
Emma Barton and Jamie Borthwick
EastEnders stars Emma Barton and Jamie Borthwick will both be running London Marathon for the second time.
However, instead of running as themselves, they have signed up as their characters Honey and Jay, for a special episode of the soap which sees them run the charity event in memory of Jay’s wife Lola who died of a brain tumour in a storyline from 2023.
Sharing their support to the pair, EastEnders wrote: ‘Sending all our love and support to @jamie_b10 & @theemmabarton as they take on the @londonmarathon this Sunday! You won’t want to miss Monday’s episode… and stay tuned for some exciting BTS content too!’
EastEnders stars Emma Barton and Jamie Borthwick will be running the London Marathon as their characters Honey and Jay, for a special episode of the soap which sees them run the charity event in memory of Jay’s wife Lola who died of a brain tumour in a storyline from 2023
Sharing their support to the pair, EastEnders wrote: ‘Sending all our love and support to @jamie_b10 & @theemmabarton as they take on the @londonmarathon this Sunday!’
Chloe Meadows
The TOWIE star opened up about her diagnosis with ulcerative colitis during Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week in December 2023, and she will be running the marathon in support of Crohn’s and Colitis UK.
Although her symptoms began when she was just 16, the reality star was finally diagnosed at 26 after many hospital trips, blood tests and a colonoscopy – ten years after her initial symptoms.
Speaking about running the marathon she said: ‘I’m over the moon to be supporting Crohn’s & Colitis UK this year in the TCS London Marathon.
‘ Last year marks a personal milestone as I shared my journey and story with Colitis for the first time, thanks to the unwavering support from the charity.
‘Taking on the marathon is the perfect way for me to raise awareness and vital funds enabling the charity to extend its supportive hand to others in the Crohn’s and colitis community, just as it has done for me.’
The TOWIE star opened up about her diagnosis with ulcerative colitis during Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week in December 2023, and she will be running the marathon in support of Crohn’s and Colitis UK
Natalie Pinkman
Sky Sports F1 presenter Natalie Pinkham is making her marathon debut this year as she runs for the official charity of the year, Samaritans, in memory of her friend Caroline Flack.
Natalie, who co-founded Flackstock in memory of the TV presenter,
She said: ‘Samaritans is one of the charities we support at Flackstock and I love everything that it stands for. I know what a difference the money raised will make and the lives it will save.
‘It’s going to be a tough challenge, but any time I have a low moment, I think of Flacky and dig a bit deeper.’
Sky Sports F1 presenter Natalie Pinkham is making her marathon debut this year as she runs for the official charity of the year, Samaritans, in memory of her friend Caroline Flack
Gary Rowett
The football manager Gary Rowett is a seasoned pro at marathons and this year marks his fourth time competing in London.
He completed his last marathon in March over in Rome, and despite remarking that it was his ‘hardest yet’ he still managed an incredible time of 03:46:16.
Last year the Battersea Marathon in October marked his fourth of the year, so tomorrow will be a breeze for the sportsman.
The football manager Gary Rowett is a seasoned pro at marathons and this year marks his fourth time competing in London
Joshua Patterson
Made In Chelsea star Joshua Patterson is no stranger to the marathon having broken the record of running one in every 76 UK cities in 76 days.
However this is his first London Marathon which sees him running for the Samaritans.
Joshua confirmed last week he will be running the race after fears he may have to pull out due to a knee injury, but luckily he has been given the green light.
He wrote: ‘For years I’ve watched from the side and cheered others on, this years was finally my year to run it.
‘Until today I thought that dream was gone, massive thanks to Charlie and Nick for working me hard, and getting me in a much stronger place, and recover from my injuries.’
He is running alongside friend Milly Pickes, who lost her leg in an accident.
Made In Chelsea star Joshua Patterson is no stranger to the marathon having broken the record of running one in every 76 UK cities in 76 days
Emily Clarkson
Influencer and podcast host Emily Clarkson is taking on the London marathon just over 14 months after giving birth.
While Emily, who is Jeremy Clarkson’s daughter, has completed marathons before, this is her first post partum as she challenged herself to fit training in around looking after her baby.
Taking to Instagram to inspire her followers, she wrote: ‘If I walk it, if I crawl it, even if I don’t make it, I’m SO just so f*****g proud of myself for getting here.
‘My pregnancy was brutal, and this time last year I was still struggling to do my morning walk or sit up on my own. This marathon was a dream but I never let myself hope I’d make it a reality. BUT HERE WE F*****G ARE!!!’
Influencer and podcast host Emily Clarkson is taking on the London marathon just over 14 months after giving birth
