The 2022 TCS London Marathon Running Show was officially opened at 10:00 this morning (Wednesday 28 September) at ExCeL London by pupils from Lister Community School in Newham.

The children, aged between 12 and 14, were accompanied by their teacher Faris Muhammed, who will run the TCS London Marathon for the first time on Sunday 2 October.

Faris said: “The pupils were very excited to be asked to open the 2022 TCS London Marathon Running Show. We’re a local school, and the marathon route passes where a lot of the pupils live, so they’re very excited to be involved.

“The TCS London Marathon will be my first marathon so I’m a bit nervous, but I’ve been training hard so I’m hoping that pays off this weekend. I’ve always wanted to do a marathon and have watched the event a couple of times before, so while I’m living in London it’s something I’m really looking forward to being part of.”

Inspiration for the next generation

The pupils will also be taking on the TCS Mini London Marathon in schools during their PE lessons in October, which will see them each complete 2.6 miles to earn a commemorative pin badge. “The event inspires the children to stay fit and active – and a couple of them have even started running before school,” said Faris.

Pupil David Adediran said: “I can’t wait to take part in the TCS Mini London Marathon in schools in October. We run a minimum of 10 laps but always try to do more, supporting each other and pushing each other all the way.

“Coach Faris is a big inspiration to all of us and his positive attitude really makes me want to try something like the TCS London Marathon when I’m a bit older.”

Fellow Lister Community School pupil Malakai Sandy added: “It was so fun to open the TCS London Marathon Running Show. It’s made me really want to be involved in the running community, because you see how big it is and how it’s good for your physical and mental health.”

Even some of the adult visitors at day one of the TCS London Marathon Running Show could testify to the power the London Marathon has to inspire activity long-term.

Layla Kambala, another first-time TCS London Marathon participant for 2022, said: “I did the Mini London Marathon in 2014 and participating in that made me want to run a full marathon one day. I’m really looking forward to the event on Sunday – especially the atmosphere. It will be great to experience the people around me, the diversity and the spirit, and to get energy from this amazing community.”

Information and entertainment on demand

Every mass participant in this year’s TCS London Marathon, the 42nd edition of the event, must visit the TCS London Marathon Running Show to pick up their Event Pack – but that’s not all.

While there, visitors can also browse a huge variety of stands from exhibitors in the health and fitness industry – and even book a pre-event massage! – as well as shop the extensive range of official TCS London Marathon kit by New Balance.

In addition, visitors can enjoy fun activations such as the giant Tumbleator – where they can test their speed against the pace set by the world’s best marathon runners – and connect with fellow marathoners as they search for their name on the new participant wall.

“I found my name on the wall at the TCS London Marathon Running Show so that was great,” said participant Paul Bradshaw, who is taking on the 2022 TCS London Marathon to raise funds for the charity Pancreatic Cancer UK, having lost his dad to the disease. “It’s a brilliant new feature and I got a real kick out of seeing my name up there!”

For key marathon advice and motivation, visitors can also drop by Centre Stage to hear from a packed line-up of speakers including elite athletes, industry experts, celebrity guests and everyday inspirational participants. To view the full Centre Stage schedule for the next few days, click here.

Innovative new mile markers

At the TCS London Marathon Running Show, visitors also have the chance to see the story behind our brand new mile markers, which will guide participants around the 26.2-mile TCS London Marathon course from Greenwich to The Mall.

A competition to design the new markers was won by young architects Chantal Banker, Davina Lyn, Akhis Rashid and Haider Bokhari, who were supported throughout the project by Blueprint for All – a charity that helps provide young people with knowledge, skills and opportunities to build their career aspirations.

They have been produced using recycled materials and around 10 tonnes of waste collected from our events in 2021 and will be reused for years to come. You can find out more about the new markers here.

Support and advice from charities

The official Charity of the Year for 2022 is the British Heart Foundation (BHF), which is stationed at the TCS London Marathon Running Show to offer visitors support and a friendly source of information. BHF is using the partnership with this year’s TCS London Marathon to shine a spotlight on heart failure and drive fundraising for regenerative medicine that could help cure the disease.

Enthuse, the official fundraising partner of the TCS London Marathon, is also running a competition for charity participants to win a donation – so if you’re taking on 26.2 miles for a good cause on Sunday 2 October, be sure to visit the Enthuse stand once you’ve picked up your Event Pack.

More than 40,000 participants are expected to be at the TCS London Marathon Running Show to collect their Event Packs and soak up the atmosphere – and participants in the virtual TCS London Marathon are also welcome to visit – as we all prepare to run together on Sunday 2 October. Doors close at 17:30 on Saturday 1 October, so if you’re joining us, make sure you don’t miss out!