Thousands of participants took to the streets of central London for the London Landmarks Half Marathon, a 13.1-mile race that showcased some of the city’s most famous landmarks.
The route featured notable sights, attracting a diverse group of runners, including club athletes, charity supporters, celebrities, and newcomers to the half marathon scene. Spectators lined the streets, cheering on the participants as they navigated through the vibrant city.
Organized by the charity Tommy’s, which focuses on pregnancy and baby health, the event has raised over £75 million for more than 800 different charitable organizations since its inception in 2018.
While official attendance figures have yet to be confirmed, previous editions of the half marathon have seen approximately 20,000 runners.
Celebrity Participants Share Their Experiences
This year’s race featured several well-known personalities, including BBC radio DJ and television presenter Jo Whiley. At the starting line, she expressed her mixed feelings, stating she was „quite nervous but excited“ about the upcoming challenge.
Another notable participant was former X Factor star Alexandra Burke, who shared her enthusiasm for the event. „I just love being in London,“ she remarked, noting that this was her second time running the course. „The community feel of the race day is so special. Nothing is like it at all,“ she added.
Former Strictly Come Dancing professional AJ Pritchard also traded his dance shoes for running gear, joining the ranks of celebrity runners.
First-Time Runners and Their Emotions
Celebrity couple Tyler West and Molly Rainford participated as well, both having recently competed in the third series of Celebrity Race Across the World. West shared his excitement, saying he was „buzzing for it – this is the best experience,“ while Rainford admitted to feeling „nervous, it’s my first ever half marathon.“
Unlike their previous adventure, this time they were allowed to keep their phones for the race.
Many runners embraced the spirit of the event, donning costumes that represented various London landmarks as they completed the 13.1-mile course.
For more updates and stories from the event, listeners can tune into BBC Radio London and follow their social media channels.
Bildquelle: Foto von Virginia Marinova auf Unsplash
