Running for London again in 2026

One of the highlights of our year is taking part in the celebration of human endurance and life changing good causes – all taking place in the streets of our great city. Every year we welcome a team of runners to take on the challenge of completing the London Marathon. Both seasoned marathon runners chasing their personal best and those taking on the challenge for the very first time – all raising vital funds to support the work of The London Community Foundation. Every single one playing their part in helping make London a fairer and more equitable city.

We’re so grateful to all these athletes who have taken part over the years. It’s even better when people come back for another year, taking on the challenge again. Henry Swales was part of our 2024 Marathon team and when he signed up to come back for 2026, we had to find out what inspired him to put himself through it again:

"I ran the London Marathon for The London Community Foundation in 2024 and I’m coming back for more in 2026! I had heard of The London Community Foundation in a professional capacity through my employer CCLA, one of the UK’s biggest charities asset managers*. But getting to know more about the organisation and their work has been really inspiring."

"I’m a proud Londoner but there are various issues impacting marginalised people across the capital. I did my research and wanted to run for a charity that makes a tangible difference in my local area; from tackling knife crime in Stratford, to food poverty in Hackney, The London Community Foundation is improving the lives of millions across the capital. Running for such a great cause really helped my motivation during the training, which wasn’t always easy when pounding the pavement in the depths of winter.

Chris and The London Community Foundation team were incredibly supportive throughout the process, from training plans, fundraising tips and even providing personalised running vests, everything ran so smoothly. It also provided a much-needed boost on race day seeing The London Community Foundation team supporting on the course, loudly and proudly!

Looking forward to getting stuck in again for 2026!"

Henry works for CCLA Investment Management – a company that have been really supportive both of their participating runners and of the mission of The London Community Foundation.

CCLA looks after the investments of more charities than any other fund manager in the UK**. Its purpose is to help clients maximise their impact on society by harnessing the power of investment markets.  

"We have a fundamental belief that healthy investment markets depend upon healthy communities and a healthy environment.  This is why we have made a long-standing commitment to do what we can to support the development of strong, agile, progressive and well-capitalised community foundations across the UK.  Philanthropy alone cannot resolve the challenges facing communities, but their deep understanding of community need and the ability to stimulate local giving, providing intelligent, sustainable charitable funding in support of community action can in a small but meaningful way support work that creates a better world." - CCLA

The funds raised by people like Henry and his team of supporters makes a huge difference to the work we do. It ensures that we can keep providing grants and other support to hundreds of community organisations across the capital every year. We look forward to joining the thousands lining the streets on 26th April 2026 to cheer on our runners. But we look forward even more to the impact that will result from their fundraising efforts. Projects funded. Organisations strengthened. Lives of Londoners changed.

If you would like to sponsor Henry or one of our other runners on the team, you will be helping them stay motivated throughout the challenging winter training schedule. We have a waiting list for people looking to take on this challenge in 2027, so if you are interested in being part of #TeamLondonCF, please get in touch.

*Based on the number of charities invested with us. Charity Finance Fund Management surveys 2020–2024.

**Based on the number of charities invested with us. Charity Finance Fund Management surveys 2020–2024.