London Marathon 2024 Sets Record, Raising £73.5 Million for Charities

Organisers of the London Marathon have announced that this year’s event, held in April, raised an unprecedented £73.5 million for over 1,700 charities. This record-breaking sum makes the 2024 marathon the largest single-day fundraising event in history.

London Marathon Events confirmed the total this week, bringing the overall amount raised since the event’s inception in 1981 to over £1.3 billion. Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events, praised the participants, saying: "We salute every single participant who has contributed to this world record-breaking total of £73.5 million for the thousands of charities providing essential services to so many. It is astonishing that the London Marathon has now raised more than £1.3 billion for charity since the first edition in 1981."

Earlier estimates from fundraising platforms indicated that the marathon had surpassed the previous world record of £66.4 million, with initial figures standing at £67 million shortly after the event.

Samaritans, the official charity partner for the 2024 edition, has so far raised £1.1 million through the marathon, significantly exceeding its typical annual fundraising. A spokesperson for Samaritans said: "We are so grateful to all our 2024 London Marathon runners and partners who have helped us raise more than £1.1 million, four times the amount we would normally raise via the London Marathon. We estimate that the charity partnership will generate a total of £2.8 million over the next three years."

Macmillan Cancer Support also reported that it raised more than £2.1 million from this year's marathon, further highlighting the success of the event.

Enthuse, the marathon’s official online fundraising partner, saw an unprecedented £30 million raised through its platform, a 60% increase from 2023. Chester Mojay-Sinclare, Enthuse’s founder and CEO, said: "The £30 million raised through our platform is a reflection of people's gratitude towards the charities. We’re proud to support their vital work."

The 2024 London Marathon has once again proven to be a monumental event for fundraising, with record-breaking figures benefiting thousands of charities across the UK.