The famous Finish Line on The Mall in central London will welcome 7,000 children on Saturday 1 October in the first edition of the new mass participation TCS Mini London Marathon, the day before the 2022 TCS London Marathon.

In a unique new initiative, every child who crosses the world-famous Finish Line will be rewarded with £10 paid to their school to spend on PE or IT equipment provided by TCS.

The programme will feature one mile and 2.6K events for children and young people of all abilities, from ages four to 17, over the final section of the TCS London Marathon course. The event will also feature the championships for the UK’s top young runners that were traditionally held on the Sunday morning.

Inspiring physical activity among children

The introduction of this new mass participation event is the cornerstone of London Marathon Events’ commitment to inspire more children to take part in physical activity. It builds on the huge success of the virtual TCS Mini London Marathon, which sees children run 2.6 miles in their schools, with 600,000 children across the UK expected to be registered this year.

The ambition is to grow the event to the same size as the adult London Marathon, with 50,000 children taking part by 2030.

Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the TCS London Marathon, said: “Our children are in crisis, with shocking statistics showing falling activity levels, increasing childhood obesity and mental health issues. We all know how getting active can improve physical and mental health and London Marathon Events is working with a range of partners to inspire children across the UK to get more active.

“Over the past four decades, the London Marathon has inspired millions of people to get active and transformed lives. Our vision is that the new TCS Mini London Marathon will do the same as it grows to the same size as the London Marathon, and in 2030 we will see 50,000 children involved in the mass event.

“On Sunday 1 October, there will be 7,000 children running, jogging, walking, wheeling or skipping their way down The Mall. We hope that wonderful experience will be a day that inspires a lifetime of activity.

“I think Chris Brasher – my father – and John Disley, founders of the London Marathon, would be very proud.”

Mighty alumni of the Mini London Marathon

Among the star alumni of the Mini London Marathon are multiple Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah, Commonwealth Games 10,000m gold medallist Eilish McColgan, record London Marathon winner David Weir, world 1500m champion Jake Wightman and European and Commonwealth Games 1500m champion Laura Muir.

Stars from other sports have also competed in the Mini Marathon, including footballer Jill Scott, part of England’s European Championship-winning squad this summer who won the race in 2001, and triathletes Alistair Brownlee, Jonny Brownlee and Alex Yee.

Entry to the 2022 TCS Mini London Marathon is free of charge for schools and details are available here. Schools can also enter the 2022 TCS Mini London Marathon in schools for free here.