Olympic legends, iconic sport stars and other celebrities are set to run the 26.2-mile London Marathon on Sunday 27 April – the 45th edition of the race.
There are a plethora of sporting talents set to show including seven-time Olympic champion Sir Jason Kenny, England cricket heroes Sir Alastair Cook and Sir Andrew Strauss, and Olympic-winning diver Chris Mears.
In addition to world-renowned sports people, several other celebrities are set to challenge themselves in the English capital. Comedian Romesh Ranganathan, singer and actor Alexandra Burke and social media star Joe Wicks all among them.
Sporting trailblazers on show
Cycling legend Kenny will be a world away from the sprint-distance races he’s noted for in the velodrome.
Now Sprint Coach for Team GB’s men’s cycling team, the 36-year-old is set to take on the mammoth marathon task for the first time.
Speaking about his debut, Kenny said: “I’ve never seen myself as a runner, but since retiring from competing on the bike I’ve started to run more and completely fallen in love with it.
“Taking on the TCS London Marathon for the first time is a huge challenge, but I’m excited to step out of my comfort zone. It’s a different kind of test and I’m ready to give it my all.”
Another Olympic gold medallist on the start line will be diver Mears. The 3m synchronised springboard diving champion at Rio 2016 will be running in support of the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
Cricket stars back together
Two of England Cricket’s greatest Test match openers, Cook and Strauss, will reform their illustrious partnership in aid of the Ruth Strauss Foundation.
The charity was set up in 2019 to support research into the diagnosis, treatment and cure of rare forms of lung cancer after Strauss’s wife, Ruth, a non-smoker, passed away from lung cancer in 2018, and England’s former Director of Cricket will be joined by his long time opening partner Cook for the first time on the streets of London.
Comedian Ranganathan will run the London Marathon for the second successive year to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust. “I was lucky enough to visit Teenage Cancer Trust units across the country during my tour last year, so I decided to run the TCS London Marathon again to fundraise for the charity,” he said.
“I saw first-hand how invaluable Teenage Cancer Trust’s work is. The support they offer to not only teens and young adults with cancer, but their families too, is remarkable.
“By running the marathon, I want to raise as much money as I possibly can and to raise as much awareness for the charity as I can. My target is £115,000, which will pay for two Teenage Cancer Trust nurses for a year and any support is greatly appreciated.”
Other celebrities set to run include TV personality Kelly Brook, McFly star Harry Judd and the ‘Body Coach’ Joe Wicks – with reality TV stars including Ollie Proudlock and Spencer Matthews (Made in Chelsea), Michael Griffiths and Stevie Bradley (Love Island), and Stephen Webb (Gogglebox) also toeing the line.
A list of former Premier League footballers on the start line include Leeds United star Danny Mills, Arsenal and Wales international Jack Wilshere, Chelsea legend John Terry, Juventus great Leonardo Bonucci and England international Steve Sidwell.
