Running the London Marathon is a testament to the endurance of the human body and spirit.
Participants push themselves through the 26.2 mile course, but after the finish line the event has previously left as much as seven tonnes of rubbish and four tonnes of recycling behind.
For most runners, the historic environmental impact of the London Marathon was in direct opposition with ingrained positive practices at the event, such as a culture of raising money for charity that saw a world record £73.5 million donated in 2024.
As a result, the running community has emerged as an unexpected catalyst for sustainable event practices, and organisers are trying to keep up the pace.
This article asks why the running community has a unique environmental consciousness, highlights what the London Marathon has done to meet these demands, and suggests how sustainability markers should be used for the event’s future progress.
Read the full piece here.
Feature image of The Buxton Water Recycling Initiative at the 2025 London Marathon, taken by Eliza Pepper.
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