TCS Mini London Marathon FAQs

• How many children from each school can be entered into the event?
  Schools can register up to 50 children in each distance. Registration for the 2024 event will open in January next year.
  
• Will each school really get £10 for every finisher?
  Yes! Any school that registers for the event and completes all the information on the form (including bank details) will receive £10 for every child from their school who crosses the Finish Line. Schools must provide their bank details on the entry system to enable this payment to be made. Any money raised can be used for PE or IT equipment for the school.
• Do children take part on their own or with an adult?
  It depends on their age. Anyone in Year 3 or above can run on their own, they just need to be escorted to the start and then collected at the finish. If participants are in Year 2 or below, we ask that there is one adult on the course for every eight children. If an older child (Year 3 or above) needs an adult to accompany them for medical or other reasons, you can tell us how many additional adults you want to enter. Please note that additional adults are there to support the children and are not official participants so will not receive an official finish time. Medals are also for children only, not accompanying adults.
• Do I have to enter details for each child individually?
  No. The registration form for the 2024 event will ask how many children will be taking part in each wave. This guarantees your places in the event. We will then ask you to confirm these numbers in the run-up to the event so we can send out Event Packs to you in time for the event in April. You can then organise your group so they all have a bib number ready for the big day.
• Is the event safe for children?
  The TCS Mini London Marathon is organised by London Marathon Events. We have a huge amount of experience in hosting mass participation sporting events, including the TCS London Marathon, Ford RideLondon and many others. The route itself will be a closed route on closed roads with barriers, marshals, volunteers and security procedures in place to keep everyone safe. To be able to start the event, all participants must wear an official TCS Mini London Marathon bib number, which must be completed with the relevant contact and medical details.
• Why are there two distances (one mile and 2.6K) on the day?
  We want as many children as possible to be able to take part in the TCS Mini London Marathon, so on the day there will be a one-mile event to suit children in Reception to Year 7 and a longer 2.6K event for those in Years 4 to 12 who can go a bit further – including young athletes taking part in the TCS Mini London Marathon championships. Children from Years 4, 5, 6 and 7 can be entered into either distance.
• Can children with disabilities enter?
  Yes. All children can enter and take part. If any additional support is required on the day please let us know and we will do everything we can to help.
• I’m a parent – can I enter my children in the event?
  At this point entries can only be accepted from schools, so they can claim £10 for each finisher from their school.
• Can I swap to a different wave? What happens if we are late on the day?
  Please allow enough time to get to the event and locate the Start area. This may take additional time as the area is likely to be busy and there will be road closures in place. It helps us to organise a safe event if all groups arrive on time and join the wave they have been allocated. However, if you do miss your start time then we will do our best to accommodate you in a later wave.
• Does the school bring their group, or can parents/carers take their own children?
  That's up to the school. We do need the school to register, provide us with some contact details and be responsible for making sure all the participants get their bib number. Schools can either bring their group, a bit like a school trip, or can pass information to parents to bring their own children.
• How will drop off at the start and collection at the finish work? 
  Participants will need to be escorted to the start in time for the beginning of their wave. Closer to the time, you will find this information in the Event Guide. In 2023, both events started on Horse Guards Road, with the start assembly area on Horse Guards Parade. Participants will complete the distance and then stay at the finish in a safe space until they are collected. (If children are in Year 2 or below they must have an adult runner with them, with at least one adult for every eight children.) The Participant Collection Area is approximately a five-minute walk from the Assembly Area. There will be a map in the Event Guide for more information.
  
• What if children have a medical condition – where do I record this?
  Please record any relevant medical information on the back of the bib number. This will also need to include contact information so we can make sure we get any help required on the day.
• Will results be available?
  Yes. Each participant will have a timing chip in their bib number and we will publish their results on our website after the event. We will not publish children’s names so if you want to check your times, please keep a note of your bib numbers.
• Why is there a limit of 50 places in each distance?
  We want to make sure as many different schools as possible have the chance to take part. Previously, schools have entered very large groups and then didn’t attend or didn’t notify us that they were unable to attend – this meant that other schools missed out. We think that having a limit of 50 will help us offer places to more schools.
• Can we request more places? We have had a lot of interest and will definitely use them
  Schools can email schools@londonmarathonevents.co.uk if you are already registered for the event and request more – we will then contact you if additional places become available.
• How much does it cost to register pupils?
  The TCS Mini London Marathon is free to enter – no matter how many children you register to take part. In fact, our title partner TCS are giving schools £10 for every participant aged 17 or under who finishes the event!
• When is the event taking place?
  The 2024 TCS Mini London Marathon will take place on Saturday 20 April – the day before the 2024 TCS London Marathon.
• Who can take part in the event?
  Children and young people who attend schools in the UK – from Reception to Year 12. If children in Reception to Year 2 are taking part an adult will need to join them on the course (1:8 ratio).