U.K. Kids Run Mini London Marathon Just One Day Before the Actual Race, and the Results Couldn't Be Cuter
· Yahoo Sports
Credit: Jon Buckle for London Marathon Events/Shutterstock
NEED TO KNOW
- The TCS Mini London Marathon allowed kids to run, jog, walk or wheel one mile or 2.6 kilometers
- Schools entered a ballot to register up to 40 students, with younger kids requiring adult accompaniment on the course
- Participants received medals and £10 from sponsor TCS, with fitness coach Joe Wicks praising the event's focus on activity
Just one day before the London Marathon, the streets of the iconic British city echoed with the noise of tiny footsteps — the TCS Mini London Marathon had begun.
On Saturday, April 25, kids were able to take part in the TCS Mini London Marathon, which invites schools to run, jog, walk or wheel either one mile or 2.6 kilometers in London. The race featured two routes — kids in kindergarten to seventh grade could choose the one-mile option, or those in fourth grade to twelfth grade could choose a 2.6-kilometer race.
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Although kids couldn't join the race individually, they could enter via a ballot from their schools. If a school were chosen, they could register up to 40 kids across both routes. However, adults were required to accompany kids in kindergarten to second grade on the course.
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The event was free to enter, and the race's title partner, TCS, gave £10 to every student who finished the race. Kids receive a finisher medal once they cross the finish line.
On the day of the race, the BBC spoke to several participants who'd just finished.
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“It was tiring. I got a stitch halfway,” one child said. “My dad said, ‘Ah, you left me behind, well done,’ ” said another.
Fitness coach Joe Wicks explained to the outlet why he believes it's so important to get young kids moving and active in their adolescence.
Start of the Under 14 Girls wave during the TCS Mini London Marathon Championships on Saturday 25th April 2026, the day before the TCS London Marathon. Photo: Felix Diemer for London Marathon Events. TCS Mini London Marathon, UK - 25 Apr 2026Credit: Jon Buckle for London Marathon Events/Shutterstock
“They’re beaming with energy and that’s what I love about moving. It’s such a great way to just feel positive and happy and energized,” said Wicks. “And I think the kids that do this, hopefully, go on to have an active adulthood.”
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