Speaking in an exclusive interview with Global Sustainable Sport, Kate Chapman, Head of Sustainability at London Marathon Events, said: “We don’t call ourselves an events organisation now because we are a social impact company, and the way we do that is through organising events to create the funds that then goes to the foundation.”

She added that many people were unaware of the wider ecosystem surrounding the London Marathon, reinforcing why publishing a comprehensive impact report became essential:
“What we had never done before was to tell that story in its entirety… If people don’t know about the work of the Foundation, that absolutely illustrates why we need to do this report.”

A Movement Beyond a Marathon: Charity & Fundraising Milestones

The TCS London Marathon remains the world’s largest annual one-day fundraising event. Its impact continues to grow:

• £87,334,723 raised in 2025 — a record, up £13.8M on the previous year
• £1.4 billion raised for charity since 1981
• More than 1,400 charities supported annually

The 2025 Charity of the Year, Pancreatic Cancer UK, raised over £2.5 million to support the development of an early detection test. The partnership also engaged more than one million people, inspiring participation well beyond race day — from donations to social media engagement.

A Different Business Model: Purpose Over Profit

A major differentiator is the Group’s structure: LMF is the parent charity, and the surplus generated by LME events is donated to the Foundation via corporate Gift Aid.

Since 1981, the Foundation has awarded over £114 million to more than 1,750 projects, enabling people across the UK to lead active and healthy lives.

Chapman explained: “Our motive is not to maximise profit for shareholders… it’s to maximise profit for the Foundation.”

The Foundation’s funding priorities focus on those facing the biggest barriers to activity — including children and young people, people with disabilities, refugees, and low-income communities.

“Health plays into it, but it’s not the way that it’s positioned… It’s about tackling multiple societal issues.”

Driving Inclusion & Community Participation

Over the last 12 months, LME awarded discounted community entries to under-represented groups and supported 300+ community organisations through DEI initiatives.

Accessibility support includes:

• Sensory calm spaces, multi-faith prayer rooms, breastfeeding spaces
• British Sign Language interpreters and disability bib stickers
• Dedicated tailwalkers ensuring nobody finishes last

LME also partners with groups such as Sanctuary Runners, supporting refugees and asylum seekers to participate in major events including the Brighton Marathon.

Environmental Stewardship: Turning Participation into Action

Environmental progress is embedded across operational practice. LME has:

• Planted 60,023 trees through Trees Not Tees
• Collected 35.5 tonnes of clothing for the Salvation Army
• Donated 1,804 pairs of shoes via JogOn
• Eliminated foil blankets and removed beef from event menus
• Introduced water refill stations across major events to reduce plastic waste

The 2025 TCS London Marathon saw 5,000 runners join ‘Team Green’, reducing the number of baggage lorries required.

And during the 2024 Marathon, 174 years of climate data was visually displayed along the course to raise public awareness.

A Living Report for a Living Mission

The new Impact Report is a dynamic, web-based, living document, updated twice a year or more to reflect ongoing achievements and real-time progress rather than a static annual PDF.

Chapman emphasised: “We can make decisions… to do things that wouldn’t necessarily drive the greatest amount of revenue for us… we’ve got a different mission than making as much money as possible.”

A Blueprint for the Future of Sport

In redefining the purpose of mass participation sport, the London Marathon Group has created a model that proves impact and profitability are not mutually exclusive. Doing good drives doing well.

With more than £1.4B raised for charity, £114M granted to community projects, and hundreds of thousands empowered to become active, the Group is demonstrating a future in which sport strengthens society rather than simply entertains it.