Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the TCS London Marathon, believes that this year’s event on Sunday 2 October will mark a pivotal moment in its 42-year history, with various changes set to make it a stand-out sporting occasion.

Partnership with Tata Consultancy Services

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) will be the headline partner of the TCS London Marathon for the first time in 2022, making it the seventh partner the event has seen.

Having been the technology partner of the London Marathon since 2016, TCS will continue to support the event in its digital growth, enhancing experiences for participants, spectators and sponsors and helping to unite communities through physical activity.

Hugh said: “There are some amazing innovations that TCS can do to bring people together. Through the Official TCS London Marathon App, powered by TCS, spectators can submit messages of support for their chosen participants, which will show on a digital screen as they head down The Mall.

“It is always one of the most emotional moments of many people’s lives as they run down that final stretch from Buckingham Palace – and to see messages from their loved ones on the digital screen as they cross the Finish Line is going to make it even more impactful.”

Reimagined TCS Mini London Marathon

The TCS Mini London Marathon is back in a completely new format for 2022, taking place for the first time as a standalone event on Saturday 1 October – the day before the 26.2-mile event.

Around 7,000 children – the same number of people who registered for the very first London Marathon in 1981 – of all ages, abilities and backgrounds are set to descend upon London for the inaugural event. The vision is for 50,000 children to take part in the event in 2030, which is the same number of participants forecast for the mass TCS London Marathon in coming years.

Every school with pupils taking part in the event will receive £10 for each child who finishes, to put towards sports or IT equipment. This mini event will therefore have a major positive impact on the next generation.

Hugh said: “I think the TCS Mini London Marathon is possibly, singularly, the most important thing the London Marathon has ever done since my father [Chris Brasher] and John Disley founded the event in 1981.

“The Mini London Marathon has an incredible heritage, with Sir Mo Farah, Jill Scott – one of the Lionesses officially starting the 2022 TCS London Marathon – David Weir and Alistair Brownlee among those who completed the event as youths. But now, it is truly becoming an event for all.”

Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge – who is fresh from smashing his own world record at the 2022 Berlin Marathon – is an Ambassador for the TCS Mini London Marathon and will be in London on Event Day to hand out medals to some of the finishers.

Hugh said: “Kipchoge is the most incredible man and has talked eloquently about inspiring the next generation – we are absolutely delighted to be welcoming him here.”

Greater inclusion and inspiring stories

Other firsts for 2022 include the introduction of more inclusive policies: entries for assisted participants; enhanced deferral options for pregnant or postpartum participants; and special considerations for participants in the virtual TCS London Marathon who are unable to complete the event on Marathon Day, either for religious reasons or due to a disability.

Rainbow Row is another new addition to the iconic TCS London Marathon route. Located on what is usually Butcher Row in Limehouse just past the 21-mile mark, Rainbow Row has been designed to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, promote inclusivity and create a carnival atmosphere for participants as they pass through the final part of their marathon journey.

The 2023 TCS London Marathon

The 2022 TCS London Marathon will mark the third and final time the event is staged in October, with the 2023 edition on Sunday 23 April seeing it return to its traditional spring date.

The 2023 TCS London Marathon Ballot will open this Saturday (1 October) and close seven days later at 21:00 on Friday 8 October. As another important step towards greater inclusivity, the 2023 ballot will, for the first time, give a non-binary gender option for entry into next year’s mass event.