Celebrities Taking on the London Marathon Challenge
The 2024 London Marathon is set to be a star-studded affair as a whole host of celebrities don their running gear for the second-largest annual road race in the UK. This year, the likes of Romesh Ranganathan, Christopher Eccleston, and Ruth Wilson will run in aid of charity, setting off on Sunday (April 21) along with 50,000 other runners fundraising and chasing personal goals. The London Marathon is no small feat, of course, as participants run a 26.2-mile (42.2km) footrace through the capital. So, training has been intense, with plenty of celebrities spotted across recent months getting the miles in.
Romesh Ranganathan
Romesh is far better known for his comedy than his running abilities, but that doesn’t mean he won’t give it a go. Having dreaded cross-country in school, he admitted that he’s ‘lazy’ when it comes to the sport. Speaking previously about the marathon, he described it as an ‘impossible’ challenge that also appealed to him. Romesh is running for a very good cause, raising funds for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably).
Rosie Jones
Beloved comedy star Rosie Jones is taking on the challenge of this year’s marathon in a buggy. She admitted that her ‘internalised ableism’ previously stopped her from using mobility aids. Rosie is completing the long-distance race with fellow stand-up comic Ivo Graham, who will be pushing her in a Delta Buggy.
Christopher Eccleston
Doctor Who icon Christopher Eccleston is swapping the TARDIS for the tarmac in the name of The Big Issue. The actor insists a run always helps him feel better and is running in support of the charity.
Ruth Wilson
Actress Ruth Wilson will be sweating it out in aid of Alzheimer’s Research UK. Her inspiration for the challenge comes after her father’s recent diagnosis, with Ruth and her family deciding to run to raise funds and awareness.
Tom Grennan
London-based star Tom Grennan, known for topping the charts, is taking on the challenge of the London Marathon this year. He has been training and fundraising for Shelter, the homeless charity.
Emma Barton and Jamie Borthwick
Emma Barton and Jamie Borthwick, known for their roles in EastEnders, will be running as their characters Honey and Jay in this year’s marathon. They will be running to honor Jay’s late wife, Lola Pearce-Brown, who died from a brain tumor last year.
Phil Dunster
Actor Phil Dunster, known for his role in Ted Lasso, will be fundraising for Young Lives Versus Cancer and running proudly sporting their t-shirt.
Em Clarkson
Em Clarkson, daughter of Jeremy Clarkson, is taking on her first major post-partum challenge by participating in the marathon this year. She is running to raise awareness and funds for a cause close to her heart.
Natalie Pinkman
Sky Sports F1 presenter Natalie Pinkman is making her marathon debut this year in memory of her late friend, Caroline Flack. She is running in support of Samaritans.
Joel Dommett
The Masked Singer host Joel Dommett is running the marathon in a piranha costume to support Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.
