SEES OVER 17,000 RUNNERS TAKE TO THE CAPITALS STREETS RAISING £8.8 MILLION FOR CHARITY

Sunday 2 April 2023: Today the streets of London became awash with colour as 17,266 runners took to the capital wearing charity colours in what was the biggest ever London Landmarks Half Marathon, both in terms of runners and also the amount of money raised since the event started.

The annual event, organised by baby charity Tommy’s to benefit themselves and over 450 charities, is a 13.1 mile course around London’s most iconic landmarks. This year participants, many running to support causes close their hearts, had raised a staggering ££8,846,471 before the race had even started, the most raised in the events history all of which will go back to support the incredible work for Tommy’s and its charity partners.

For the first year, LLHM also officially welcomed wheelchair participants to the event, with 9 wheelchair participants and their support runners going over the start line ahead of the masses, cheered on by a Bowler Hat send off and Charity Mascot guard of honour.

Event Director for the London Landmarks Half Marathon, Lia Fyles, said: 

'Today has been incredibly special – it’s our biggest ever London Landmarks Half! To be able to welcome those in wheelchairs to participate for the first year is progression for us, we want everyone no matter what their background or ability to be able to experience the magic of being involved in our special event. Every year we aim to entertain and give back to the runners as they run the course – they all have their own powerful personal reasons for taking part today so we try to ensure it’s a day to remember. Congratulations to everyone and thank you for helping Tommy's, and our charity partners, raise so much money which will help many people in the future.'

Runners rubbed shoulders with a host of famous faces running to raise awareness for the charities they passionately support, including Dermot O’Leary, Pixie Geldof, and Mark Wright running their first LLHM, alongside the race regulars of Jenni Falconer and AJ  Pritchard.

Dermot O'Leary, TV & Radio presenter, running for Coppafeel said:
'Well done to everyone for running, and to everyone at Tommy’s for organising a terrific half. The atmosphere and support all the way around was incredible, just unbelievable!

In a true celebration of ‘the grand, the hidden and quirky gems’ of London, this year’s LLHM runners included several Guinness World Record attempts for the fastest half dressed as a tree, dressed as a pirate and the fastest 3-legged half marathon. However the world record for the fastest half marathon dressed as a Star was successfully claimed by Keith Williams. Running his 5th London Landmarks Half on behalf of Tommy’s, Keith smashed the record completing the course in just 1hr 32 mins.

Traffic across the city stops for the LLHM which is a closed road route through the City of London and Westminster, allowing participants to take in London’s most iconic landmarks including Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, Nelson’s Column, and the Tower of London. However, this year, runners had to briefly pause their race around Trafalgar square for the traditional Palm Sunday Procession led by (Clover) the Donkey on his way to St Martins in the Fields church.

The LLHM Charity Mascot Dash also returned, with eight cuddly characters competing in a 100M ‘sprint’ down Whitehall past Horse Guards Parade ahead of the first runner’s reaching the finish line. In a close run race, it was Hero the dog who burst through the ribbon to take the Charity Cup for Guide Dogs, pipping Bob the Tap from WaterAid across the line.

LLHM 2024 will take place on Sunday 7th April 2024. To pre-register visit www.llhm.co.uk/pre-register-half