Russ Cook, 'Hardest Geezer' and first British person to run the length of Africa.
Russ entered the record books on 7 April 2024 when he became the first Brit to run the length of Africa, completing the epic challenge in Tunisia 352 days after setting off from South Africa's most southerly point. After running through 16 countries and raising more than £900,000 for the charities Sandblast and The Running Charity, he'll be taking on the 2024 TCS London Marathon will a group of young people from The Running Charity.
Ali Jawad, Paralympian. Running for Crohn’s & Colitis UK.
Ali is a British Paralympic powerlifter who took up the sport at the age of 16, after being born without legs. He competed in the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, finishing fourth, and then won gold at the 2013 Asian Open Championships with a world-record lift of 185.5 kg. At the 2014 IPC Powerlifting World Championships in Dubai, he became World Champion in his class, setting another world record by lifting 190 kg. Ali is raising money for the charity Crohn's & Colitis UK after being diagnosed with Crohn's disease himself. The Paralympian almost died from the disease in 2010 and is a high-profile supporter of charities that assist people living with Crohn’s.
Jamie Peacock, former rugby league player. Running for Sue Ryder Care.
Jamie is a former professional rugby league player, who played for the likes of Bradford and Leeds and represented both England and Great Britain before retiring in 2016. Jamie has since turned to motivational speaking, providing leadership mentoring. He is running the 2024 TCS London Marathon for Sue Ryder Care, a British palliative and bereavement support charity that provides care and support for people living with terminal illnesses and neurological conditions, as well as individuals who are coping with a bereavement.
Jamie Jones-Buchanan, former rugby league player. Running for Sue Ryder Care.
Jamie is a former professional rugby league player who spent his entire career at Leeds Rhinos, playing alongside fellow 2024 TCS London Marathon participant, Jamie Peacock for nine years between 2006-2015. Jamie also represented both England and Great Britain, and he is taking part in support of the charity Sue Ryder Care.
Christopher Eccleston, actor. Running for Big Issue.
Christopher is a British actor best known for playing the ninth incarnation of the Doctor in the BBC TV show Doctor Who, and he has twice been nominated for a BAFTA. He is a regular marathon runner and will be running his first TCS London Marathon for Big Issue, a social business that offers homeless people, or individuals at risk of homelessness, the opportunity to earn a legitimate income.
Ryan Hand, TV presenter. Running for Marie Curie.
Ryan is a TV presenter, but has also worked as a comedian, actor and DJ. He has presented for ITV’s The Magazine and Cannonball, BBC Radio Ulster, Q Radio, National Lottery and has appeared on Channel 4’s Come Dine With Me. Ryan sadly lost his mum in 2008 to ovarian cancer, at just 56 years old. Three years previously, her sister Eileen had also died from the disease, aged 57. Ryan is running for Marie Curie, a charity that provides hospice care and support for anyone with an illness they’re likely to die from, as well as supporting those close to them, and campaigns for better support for people who are dying.
Dan Hudson, podcast host and comedian. Running for Marie Curie.
Dan is a comedian who also hosts one half of the A Gay and a NonGay podcast, alongside fellow comedian James Barr. A Gay and a NonGay is the UK’s number one, award-winning LGBTQ+ podcast. Dan and James dive into conversations around day-to-day life, differences in perceptions, homophobia, coming out, mental health, and lighter topics such as dating. Dan will be running the 2024 TCS London Marathon for Marie Curie, a charity providing hospice care and support for anyone living with an illness they are likely to die from.
Darren Turner, racing driver. Running for Hope for Tomorrow.
Darren is a British racing driver who has raced primarily in touring cars and sportscars since 2000. He has previously competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race for Prodrive Racing and Aston Martin Racing (with a best finish of fifth), as well as the FIA World Endurance Championship for Aston Martin Racing, winning eight races. Darren is running the 2024 TCS London Marathon for Hope for Tomorrow, a charity that builds and provides mobile cancer care units for NHS trusts across England to allow them to treat cancer patients closer to where they live.
Baasit Siddiqui, TV personality.
In 2013, along with brothers Raza and Umar, and his dad Sid, Baasit became a cast member of the award-winning TV show Gogglebox. In 2018, Baasit left his role as a full-time teacher to begin his journey as an entrepreneur and business owner. Through motivational talks, workshops, and collaborations, his goal is to help audiences believe in their potential and recognise the support around them. He will be running the TCS London Marathon for the second time, this time joined by his brother Raza.
Ben Murphy, chef. Running for Hospitality Action.
Ben Murphy, chef patron at Launceston Place in London, was named National Chef of the Year 2023. He received the award at a ceremony held at the Berkeley hotel in London to mark the 50th anniversary of the competition. He will make his debut at the 2024 TCS London Marathon and is raising money for Hospitality Action, a charity that offers vital assistance to people who work, or have worked, within hospitality in the UK.
Priya Gopaldas, influencer.
Newly qualified doctor Priya was a late addition to the ITV show Love Island in 2021. Before that, she worked on the Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit in the University College London Hospital. Priya volunteered her services on the Covid ward as a medical student as increasing case numbers put extra pressure on the NHS. Priya loves exercising and regularly shares pictures of herself running, quad biking and even sky diving to her 102,000 Instagram followers.
Emon Choudhury, winner of Race Across the World (Series 2).
Emon and his nephew Jamiul were crowned winners of BBC's Race Across the World in 2020, winning the 54-day race through South America by just 20 seconds. He has been taking part in a series of running challenges over the past few years – including the 2022 TCS London Marathon – to raise funds for a host of good causes. He also donated 75% of his £20,000 Race Across the World prize money to charity.
Esther Manito, comedian. Running for World Animal Protection UK.
Esther began performing stand-up comedy in 2016 following a six-week writing course at London's Camden Comedy School. She was the first female comedian to perform at Dubai Opera House and debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe with her show Crusade in 2019. Her second full-length show, #NotAllMen, won Best Show at Leicester Comedy Festival 2021. Esther is running for World Animal Protection UK, a charity that campaigns to improve the lives of animals in the UK and around the world.
Emily Clarkson, influencer.
Emily is a writer, influencer, and podcast presenter. She is also the daughter of TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson. She presents the Should I Delete That? podcast alongside fellow body-confidence creator Alex Light, where they discuss everything from eating disorders to online bullying. Emily has more than 290,000 followers on Instagram and uses the platform to promote body positivity and feminism. She is particularly known for showcasing the damaging effect of Instagram filters on women’s mental health. Emily is taking part in the 2024 TCS London Marathon alongside her fellow ‘Have A Gos’ – also known as HAGs – who make up an online community she founded to encourage people not to be afraid of exercise or sporting challenges.
Rangan Chatterjee, podcast host/influencer.
Rangan is a British physician, author, television presenter and podcaster. He is best known for his TV show Doctor in the House and for being the resident doctor on BBC Breakfast. He is also a regular contributor to BBC Radio. He hosts the podcast Feel Better, Live More, and has appeared on BBC Radio as a regular commentator. In 2017, British primary care publication Pulse placed Rangan eighth in its Power 50 list of most influential GPs.
Danny Crates, Paralympian. Running for Sports Aid.
Danny is a former Paralympic world record holder in the 800m sprint who has won gold medals in several international competitions, including the Paralympic Games, European Championships and World Championships. He also plays competitive rugby and is a qualified diving instructor. He is running the 2024 TCS London Marathon for Sports Aid, a charity supporting talented young athletes to achieve their ambitions in sport and life.
Chloe Meadows, TV personality. Running for Crohn's & Colitis UK.
The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE) star Chloe will take part in her first TCS London Marathon, raising money for the charity Crohn’s & Colitis UK. Before joining the cast of TOWIE, Chloe worked as a secretary and part-time barmaid, and has since launched her own fashion line, Chloe Meadows’ Boho B Collection. She suffers from ulcerative colitis, after being diagnosed around 2017.
Chloe said: “I lost a lot of weight and looked pretty grey most of the time. My mum was nagging me to go to the doctors. After putting it off for some time I finally went just to keep her quiet really! My blood levels ended up being so low it was seriously dangerous; I was hospitalised that evening. Since then, I’ve been in and out of remission, sometimes for as long as a year! I have good days and bad days, but I try to not let it rule my life. The hardest part for me was accepting it was something I was going to have for the rest of my life.”
Gary Rowett, football manager.
Gary is an English professional football manager and former player, who most recently managed Championship club Millwall. As a player, he played in the Premier League for Everton, Derby County, Leicester City and Charlton Athletic. As a manager, he has taken charge of the likes of Birmingham City, Stoke City, and Millwall. This will be Gary’s fourth London Marathon.
Jenni Falconer, radio presenter.
Jenni is a radio and television presenter. She presents the breakfast show on Smooth London, as well as the Saturday mid-morning show. Jenni hosts RunPod, her podcast where she discusses the highs and lows of her running adventures, and regularly chats with special guests about their own running journeys.
Charlie Hodgson, former rugby union player. Running for Muscular Dystrophy UK.
Charlie is a retired English rugby union player. The former Sale Sharks and Saracens fly-half is the leading Premiership points scorer of all time. Hodgson, who made 38 appearances for England, announced his retirement from rugby union in 2016. He is running for Muscular Dystrophy UK, the leading charity for more than 60 muscle-wasting and weakening conditions, such as muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy, and limb-girdle dystrophy.
Milly Pickles, influencer.
Milly is a TikTok star, athlete and amputee known for her running, fitness and food content. She is known for documenting her life as an amputee, after she lost her leg following an electrocution accident in September 2017. Milly is helping to break down stigmas surrounding disability as she shares the highs and lows with her 410,000 TikTok followers. She was featured on the cover of Women's Running magazine in June 2021.
Ruth Wilson, actor. Running for Alzheimer's Research UK.
Ruth is a British actor best known for her roles in the BBC/HBO fantasy TV series His Dark Materials, and for starring opposite Idris Elba in the BBC drama Luther. She won a Golden Globe in 2014 for her role as Alison Lockhart in the Showtime series The Affair. Ruth is running the 2024 TCS London Marathon with her brothers to raise money for Alzheimer's Research UK, the UK's leading charity for finding a cure for dementia. The charity has supported Ruth’s family after her father’s dementia diagnosis.
Shane Williams, former rugby union player.
Shane is a former Welsh rugby union player and is widely regarded as one of the greatest wingers to ever play the sport. He played for Ospreys for nine years and made 87 appearances for Wales. Shane is the record try scorer for his country and is fourth on the international list of leading rugby union Test try scorers.
James Cracknell, former Olympian.
James is an athlete, rowing champion, and double Olympic gold medallist – winning his medals in Sydney (2000) and in Athens (2004). He was appointed OBE for services to sport in the 2005 New Year Honours List. James famously completed the 2006 London Marathon in under three hours.
Erin Doherty, actor. Running for YoungMinds.
Erin is a British actor who played the young Princess Anne in the third and fourth seasons of the Netflix drama The Crown, and Becky in the BBC/Amazon Prime drama Chloe. A talented footballer in her youth, Erin was scouted by Chelsea Women, but opted for a life in acting. She is running for YoungMinds, a charity that provides support, advice and resources for young people and their parents who are struggling with their mental health.
Joe Kellaway, Team GB athlete. Running for Mental Health Foundation
Joe won bronze at the 2019 European Karate Championships in Spain, which led him to be selected for the Team GB squad at the Minsk 2019 European Games. He is England’s top ranked World Karate Federation competitor and completed England’s gold medal count at the 2022 Commonwealth Karate Championships. Joe is running for the Mental Health Foundation, a charity that aims to improve the mental health of people in the UK and worldwide.
Emma Barton, actor (EastEnders).
Emma is an actor best known for the role of Honey Mitchell in EastEnders, making her first appearance as the character in November 2005. In 2019, Barton reached the final of Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with Anton Du Beke. She will be taking part in the TCS London Marathon for the second time, after making her debut as part of Babs’ Army with Barbara Windsor’s widow, Scott Mitchell, in 2019. This time, though, Emma will run alongside her EastEnders castmates Jamie Borthwick and Max Bowden as part of a storyline in which their respective characters – Honey, Jay and Ben – complete the London Marathon in memory of Jay’s wife, Lola, who died from a brain tumour in 2023.
Jamie Borthwick, actor (EastEnders).
Jamie is an actor who rose to prominence for his portrayal as Jay Brown in EastEnders, which he has starred in since 2006. His role on EastEnders earned him a British Soap Award for Best Dramatic Performance from a Young Actor or Actress in 2008. He also won the 2023 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special with his dance partner, Nancy Xu. Jamie will run alongside his EastEnders castmates Emma Barton and Max Bowden as part of a storyline in which their respective characters – Jay, Honey and Ben – complete the London Marathon in memory of Jay’s wife, Lola, who died from a brain tumour in 2023.
Max Bowden, actor (EastEnders).
Max is an actor best known for his roles as Ben Mitchell in EastEnders. Max will run alongside his EastEnders castmates Emma Barton and Jamie Borthwick as part of a storyline in which their respective characters – Ben, Honey and Jay – complete the London Marathon in memory of Jay’s wife, Lola, who died from a brain tumour in 2023.
Natalie Pinkham, Sky Sports F1 presenter and Flackstock founder. Running for Samaritans.
Natalie is a television presenter and Formula One pit lane reporter for Sky Sports F1, having held the same post for BBC Radio 5 Live for the 2011 season. She is also known for appearing on Live from Studio Five as a guest presenter and was a regular panellist on The Wright Stuff. She is a founder of Flackstock, a festival organised by a group of Caroline Flack’s close friends and family in her memory. The TV presenter and actor died by suicide in 2020. Natalie will be running for Samaritans, the 2024 TCS London Marathon Charity of the Year, a charity that provides confidential support to anyone who is in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide.
Josh Cuthbert, former Union J singer. Running for Samaritans.
Josh is a former member of the pop group Union J. The group formed in 2011 as a trio made up of Josh Cuthbert, Jaymi Hensley and JJ Hamblett. The following year they competed on the ninth series of X Factor, where George Shelley was added to the band. The group finished fourth and landed a deal with RCA Records. Josh is running for Samaritans, the 2024 TCS London Marathon Charity of the Year.
Sally Orange, mental health campaigner. Running for Samaritans.
Sally Orange MBE is an endurance runner, adventure athlete and mental health campaigner. She is the only person on the planet to complete a marathon on every continent in fancy dress and holds multiple Guinness World Records and world firsts. Sally has run more than 80 marathons, completed eight full Ironman triathlons and has completed 22 years’ exemplary service in the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Physiotherapy Officer. She is running for the 2024 TCS London Marathon Charity of the Year, Samaritans.
Jessie Elland, actor. Running for Samaritans.
Jessie is an actor who has played Chloe Harris in the ITV soap Emmerdale since 2021 and has previously starred in the Sky original series Cobra. She is running for the 2024 TCS London Marathon Charity of the Year, Samaritans.
Lawrence Robb, actor. Running for Samaritans.
Lawrence is an actor who has played Makenzie Boyd in the ITV soap Emmerdale since October 2020. He also previously played the role of Matt in the TV series I Hate Suzie. Lawrence will be running for Samaritans, the 2024 TCS London Marathon Charity of the Year.
Laura Hamilton, TV presenter and entrepreneur. Running for WellChild.
Laura is a television presenter, property expert and entrepreneur. She participated in series six of ITV’s Dancing on Ice in 2011, finishing in second place. Since February 2012, Hamilton has been a presenter of Channel 4's A Place in the Sun. In 2022 she joined ITV's This Morning, presenting live features on location. She will be running for WellChild, the national UK children's charity making it possible for children and young people with exceptional health needs to be cared for at home instead of hospital, wherever possible.
Suzanne Crowshaw, actor/TV personality. Running for WellChild.
Suzanne is an actor, singer and television personality, who rose to fame after winning the talent contest Popstars as part of the pop band Hear'Say. She is now an established musical theatre and West End performer, actor, model and television presenter. Suzanne won the third series of the ITV show Dancing on Ice in 2008 and participated in the 'All Stars' series in 2014. She also played the character of Eve Jenson in the ITV soap Emmerdale, and will be running for WellChild, the national UK children’s charity making it possible for children and young people with exceptional health needs to be cared for at home instead of hospital, wherever possible.
Romesh Ranganathan, comedian and TV presenter. Running for CALM.
Romesh is comedian, TV presenter, actor and radio host. In 2018, he joined A League of Their Own as a regular panellist, before going on to host the revival of The Weakest Link on BBC Two. In 2020, Romesh won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Features for The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan. In 2021, he won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Entertainment Performance for The Ranganation. Romesh will be running for Campaign Against Living Miserably, or CALM, a charity that runs a free, confidential and anonymous helpline as well as a web chat service, offering help, advice and information to anyone who is struggling or in crisis.
Aimee Fuller, former winter Olympian
Aimee is a British slopestyle snowboarder who represented Great Britain at the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics. She is now a broadcaster and also hosts her own podcast called Monday Mile. In April 2019, she ran her first marathon, the Pyongyang Marathon in North Korea, before running in her first TCS London Marathon later that year with her mum.
Tom Grennan, singer/songwriter. Running for Shelter
Tom is a singer and songwriter from Bedford. He found fame as the guest vocalist on Chase & Status's "All Goes Wrong" in 2016. His debut album, Lighting Matches, was released in July 2018, with the album peaking at number five on the UK Albums Chart. His second album Evering Road was released in March 2021, beginning his breakthrough in the UK by charting at number one on the UK Albums Chart. In 2021 and 2022, he was also featured as a guest vocalist on the top-ten singles "By Your Side" with Calvin Harris and "Not Over Yet" with KSI. In 2023, Grennan released his third album What Ifs & Maybes, which became his second UK number one album.
Harry Judd, McFly drummer. Running for The Children’s Trust
Harry is an English musician and the drummer for the band McFly. Harry won the 2011 series of Strictly Come Dancing – and won the 2015 Christmas Special with Joanne Clifton - and more recently published his first book, Get Fit Get Happy, in 2017. He has previously run the TCS London Marathon in 2008, 2013 and 2022 – making 2024 his fourth attempt.
Joel Dommett, comedian and TV presenter. Running for Shooting Star Children’s Hospice
Joel is an English comedian, television presenter and actor. After beginning his career as an actor, and appearing in various television shows including Casualty and Skins, he embarked on stand-up comedy and television presenting and became known for his television roles in Live in Chelsea and Impractical Jokers UK. He was a contestant on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2016, and went on to present the spin-off show I'm a Celebrity: Extra Camp, and an array of other shows including Hey Tracey!, The Masked Singer, The Masked Dancer, the National Television Awards, In With a Shout and Survivor.
Zdeno Chára, former Boston Bruins captain
Zdeno Chára is a former professional hockey player who played 24 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) as captain of the Boston Bruins from 2006-2020. In 2009, Chára won the Norris Trophy as the league’s best defenceman, becoming the first Slovak player to win the award and the second European player to do so. In 2022, Chára played his 1,652nd game in the NHL, taking over the record for most games played. Later in 2022, Chára signed a one-day contract to play for Boston Bruins as his last game before retirement. In 2023, he took on the Boston Marathon in 3:38:23 and returned in 2024 to beat his record by eight minutes when he completed the event in 3:30:52. He now has his eyes set on the TCS London Marathon Finish Line.