The history of the London Marathon Group

When Chris and John created the London Marathon in 1981, their vision was that the event’s success would inspire the public to take up sport and generate funds to provide grants for sport and recreational facilities in the capital.

They created what is now the London Marathon Foundation (the Foundation) as the parent charity of what became London Marathon Events Limited (LME) to enable the surplus from the London Marathon, and all future events organised by LME, to pass through corporate gift aid to the Foundation.

The Foundation awards the funds it receives from LME, as well as from donations and interest, to projects that inspire activity in London and across the UK and its funding has enabled millions of people of all ages, abilities and demographics to become and remain physically active.

Through the success of its events and its work with schoolchildren and communities, LME is an extraordinary force for good that has inspired millions more to get active and raised huge sums of much-needed funds for charitable activity across the UK.