The 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon raised a record-breaking £61.5 million for charity, setting a new world record for an annual single day charity fundraising event for an eleventh successive year.
The new record broke the £60 million barrier for the first time and was an increase of more than £2 million on the previous record total of £59.4 million raised from the 2016 event. It brings the overall sum raised for charity since the event was founded in 1981 to more than £890 million.
Virgin Money Giving is the not-for-profit fundraising partner of the London Marathon and donations to charity through the online service reached more than £25 million including gift aid, linked to the 2017 race.
Event Director Hugh Brasher described the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon as the greatest in the history of the event. The 2017 edition had a record 39,487 finishers, Mary Keitany set two world best marks as she ran a stunning solo race to win her third London title, David Weir won a record seventh wheelchair title and Maunela Schär set a new course record in the women’s wheelchair race. There were 39 Guinness World records, also a record.
Brasher said: “Every year, the Virgin Money London Marathon inspires thousands of runners to take on the challenge of running the famous 26.2 miles and to raise these incredible sums for charity. We salute every runner who has contributed to this amazing world record total of £61.5 million, a staggering sum from a one day event.
“Since 1981, the London Marathon has been an extraordinary force for good that has inspired profound social change. We are proud that this year’s event became the mental health marathon as Heads Together, the Charity of the Year, did so much to change the conversation on mental health. We are constantly working to grow the event and its positive impacts as society, health services and charities face ever-increasing pressure on their services and funding. The London Marathon Charitable Trust has enabled thousands more to get active through its funding of a huge range of recreational projects.”
The 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon takes place on Sunday 22 April. It has already set a world record after 386,050 people applied for a place via the public ballot – the biggest number of applications for any marathon in the world.
