Records and reputations at the London Marathon

Some of the negative headlines from the 2026 London Marathon were hard to miss but last weekend’s event also made marathon history: two runners broke the two‑hour barrier in official race conditions, with Sabastian Sawe winning in a world‑record time of 1:59:30 and Yomif Kejelcha finishing just seconds behind. At the same time, the event set a new Guinness World Record for scale, with 59,830 runners completing the course, making it the largest marathon ever by number of finishers. Add Tigst Assefa finishing in 2:15:41 and taking nine seconds off her own women‑only world record, and it was an all‑round incredible day for the sport.

Thousands lined the streets to watch the elites break these records, cheer on friends and family, and catch a glimpse of some of the other recognisable faces pushing through the 26.2 miles. Alongside the personal challenge, the mass appeal and community spirit of the event is part of what continues to draw high‑profile participants year after year. On Sunday, we saw another long roll call of celebrities and politicians using the day to raise money and awareness for different causes.

Cynthia Erivo shaved more than ten minutes off her previous marathon to clock just over 3:21, while F1 champion Sebastian Vettel came in just under three hours. Alexandra Burke knocked more than two hours off her prior time while raising money for Parkinson’s UK. And in one of the more recognisable costumes, Joe Wicks ran alongside Daddy Pig for the National Deaf Children’s Society.

There’s been some debate amid the recent running boom about whether record numbers of entries are devaluing the marathon. But no matter who you are, mile 20 arrives all the same. That reality is what makes marathon day such a powerful reputational moment for public figures: everyone is running the same race. Running 26.2 miles gives credibility in a way few other activities can. It is measurable and visible, and when paired with the right cause, it cuts through scepticism. In a world of constant scrutiny, the line between authenticity and performance can be thin, but the marathon remains a legitimate leveller.

From the Westminster benches, this year saw MPs from Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats take part, many running for local or national charities tied closely to their constituencies. While less recognisable than some of the celebrity faces, there’s something potentially even more impressive about seeing elected representatives manage the training alongside full‑time work. Of the MPs taking part this year, Josh MacAlister came in first with a time of 3:29:29.

There’s a running joke (if you’ll pardon the pun) about everyone having a “Roman Empire”: a random story or piece of trivia you can’t shake. My most recent one has got to be the fastest London Marathon time ever recorded by a sitting MP. 2:32, set by Matthew Parris in 1985 (3:36 per km / 5:48 per mile). Despite the changes to the rest of the world over the last 40 years, nobody has come close to beating it.

To finish, there’s a special mention for a more localised competition. While he didn’t quite pip Parris to the post, the SEC Newgate record also fell at the weekend, with Laurence Hill crossing the line in a personal best of 2:36:14. A record that may be around for as long as Parris’ four-decade benchmark.