{"id":889608,"date":"2026-04-12T19:02:39","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T19:02:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/889608\/"},"modified":"2026-04-12T19:02:39","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T19:02:39","slug":"london-landmarks-half-marathon-draws-thousands-of-runners-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/889608\/","title":{"rendered":"London Landmarks Half Marathon draws thousands of runners"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thousands of runners took part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon in central London.<\/p>\n

The 13.1-mile route passed a number of well-known sights, with participants including club runners, charity fundraisers, celebrities and first-time entrants.<\/p>\n

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Spectators gathered along the course as the race made its way through the city.<\/p>\n

Hosted by pregnancy and baby charity Tommy’s, runners participating for over 800 different charitable causes have raised more than \u00a375m since the London Landmarks Half Marathon began in 2018.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

While an official figure has not been released, the half marathon has drawn about 20,000 runners in previous years [PA Media]<\/p>\n

\"Jo<\/p>\n

Jo Whiley said it had been 10 years since she last ran a half marathon [PA Media]<\/p>\n

Among the celebrities taking part in this year’s event were BBC radio DJ and TV presenter Jo Whiley.<\/p>\n

Standing on the start line she told BBC London she was “quite nervous but excited” about the run.<\/p>\n

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\"Two<\/p>\n

The River Thames may have been a target landmark to some runners on the route [Nicky Ford\/BBC]<\/p>\n

\"Alexandra<\/p>\n

Former X Factor star Alexandra Burke was another participant [PA Media]<\/p>\n

Also lining up before the race was singer and actress Alexandra Burke, who said she was ” feeling good – I just love being in London”.<\/p>\n

She explained it was her second time running the course.<\/p>\n

“I just love the community feel of the race day, it’s so special. Nothing is like it at all,” she said.<\/p>\n

\"AJ<\/p>\n

Former Strictly pro AJ Pritchard swapped his dancing shoes for runners [Getty Images]<\/p>\n

\"Runner<\/p>\n

Stefan Otway clocked the quickest time in the men’s category [PA Media]<\/p>\n

They were also joined by celebrity couple Tyler West and Molly Rainford.<\/p>\n

Having competed in the third series of Celebrity Race Across the World, they had differing feelings as they waited to begin this latest challenge.<\/p>\n

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West told BBC London he was “buzzing for it – this is the best experience”, while Rainsford admitted she was “nervous, it’s my first ever half marathon”.<\/p>\n

\"Tyler<\/p>\n

Unlike their Race Across the World, celebrity couple Tyler West and Molly Rainford could keep their phones for this one [Getty Images]<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Many runners donned their own London landmarks to run the 13.1 mile course [Nicky Ford\/ BBC]<\/p>\n

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds<\/a> and follow BBC London on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

Runners’ storiesRelated internet links<\/p>\n