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The Story Behind the London Landmarks Half Marathon with Lia
0 Plays2 seconds ago
In this episode of the UKRunChat podcast, Michelle speaks with Lia Fyles, the driving force behind the London Landmarks Half Marathon.
What started as a fundraising challenge for Tommy's has grown into a 20,000-runner event that celebrates London’s history, community, and charitable spirit while raising millions for good causes.
Lia shares how the event came to life, the challenges of closing central London, and why the race has become such a sought-after experience for runners.
We chat about:
- How the idea for the London Landmarks Half Marathon was born
- Turning a fundraising goal into a major national event
- The challenges of organising a race through central London
- What makes the route unique, from iconic landmarks to hidden gems
- The role of charity in shaping the event’s identity
- Behind-the-scenes insights from race day
- Challenges facing race organisers today
- Why the event resonates so strongly with runners
- What the future holds for the race
- Reversing the race route due to a military ceremony
Links & Info
- Pre-register for next year’s ballot via the official LLHM website: https://llhm.co.uk/
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and Overview of the London Landmarks Half Marathon
00:00:01
UKRunChat
Welcome to this episode of the UK Run Chat Podcast. I'm Michelle and today we're diving into the story behind one of the UK's probably most iconic running events, the London Landmarks Half Marathon.
00:00:15
UKRunChat
Now this is a race that's become so much more than just 13.1 miles. It's the only half marathon that takes runners through both Westminster and the City of London.
00:00:25
UKRunChat
And since launching, The event's grown rapidly now welcoming around 20,000 runners and supporting not only its founding charity, Tommy's, but over 500 other causes
Leah Files' Role and Tommy's Charity Mission
00:00:37
UKRunChat
too. And at the heart of it all is Leah Files, who's here with us today. What started as a fundraising idea has evolved into one of the most in-demand races in the UK. So in this episode, I'm really excited to be exploring what's behind the event and the challenges of building something at this scale, really, and what makes it so special. Hi, Leah. Thank you so much for joining us on the podcast today.
00:01:00
Lia
Hello there. Thank you so much for having me. Super excited to be here.
00:01:04
UKRunChat
It's really nice to meet you. So take take us right back to the beginning then. So what was the original brief when you were you kind of took on the task of raising income for Tommies and and tell us a little bit about the charity as well.
00:01:17
Lia
Yeah, of course. So I've been working for Tommy's since 2008. So around 18 years now and Tommy's are the UK's leading baby charity and they exist to stop the heartbreak and devastation of baby loss. It's a really sad fact that, um, that one in two of us will either have lost a baby or know someone who has and Tommies exists to change that. And they do that by leading research and providing pregnancy information throughout the entire pregnancy journey to help families have the best chance possible of having a healthy baby.
Creating a Central London Half Marathon and its Success
00:01:54
Lia
And um back in 2014, Tommy's was raising an income of around million pounds a year.
00:02:02
Lia
And it was our strategy to double that income from 4 million to 8 million. And so we had 4 million additional to raise, 2 million of that was going to be raised by doing what we already do, but doing more of it or doing it better.
00:02:18
Lia
so for example, bringing on board more corporate partnerships or getting more places in the great north run. And the other two million pounds was to be raised by doing something brand new.
00:02:29
Lia
And that was the the task that I was set of leading the development of whatever this brand new thing may be, and then making it happen.
00:02:32
UKRunChat
That's huge, isn't it? Yeah.
00:02:39
Lia
And that could have been anything, you know, it could have been opening cha Tommy's charity shops across the country. It could have been an annual TV appeal like Comic Relief. It could have been putting on our own event.
00:02:51
Lia
And that and at that time, and still now, Tommy's offices, we are based in the city of London. And we noticed a really big gap in the market in that there wasn't a half marathon that went through the city of London.
00:03:03
Lia
Yes, there was the amazing and beautiful Royal Park's half marathon, which you know Tommy's has places in as a charity. but there wasn't a half marathon that went slap bang through the centre of London.
00:03:14
Lia
So perhaps rather naively at the time, we decided that was what we were going to try to pursue. and So that decision was taken in kind of late 2014, early 2015.
00:03:29
Lia
So essentially spent the following three and a half years and gaining permission to close down central London and you know, working with partners to create the route, creating the brand.
00:03:42
Lia
um And then, yeah, the first race happened in March 2018. And it was, you know, literally one of the best and proudest days of my life. I'll never forget that feeling.
00:03:53
Lia
um um Yeah.
00:03:53
UKRunChat
Wow, I'm sure, yeah. So three three, four years in the making, in the imagination, and then it all comes to life.
00:03:57
Lia
Exactly.
00:04:00
UKRunChat
That that first day must have been incredible on Ray's Morning.
00:04:04
Lia
it It really was. I'll never, ever forget the feeling of walking out and thinking, oh, my gosh, we've done this. We've closed down central London. We've created something that not only is going to raise a lot of money for Tommies, but it's going to raise a lot of money for many other charities as well. And when you know when we wrote the business plan, the goal was to raise £2 million pounds for Tommies by year three of the event. We actually raised that in year one. So it was you know an incredible an incredible success for the charity and something that we've been able to build on year and on year.
00:04:34
UKRunChat
Yeah. So why did you choose um a running race and specifically a half marathon? Like, we were you a runner yourself?
00:04:40
Lia
um I wasn't at this point, no. We chose a running race because we could see that there was the demand for it. And because it was such a clear gap in the market, you know, all of all other major cities in the world have a central a central city race, you know, the Rome half marathon, the Paris half marathon, the New York half marathon. And it was such a clear gap in the market that it was it was a bit of a no-brainer, you know, at the time, obviously the London marathon, when you go back 2014,
00:05:10
Lia
14, 15, when we were trying to make this happen, yeah their ballot was, I can't remember, but you know there were there were hundreds of thousands applying for it.
00:05:17
UKRunChat
Yeah. Yeah.
00:05:17
Lia
And we knew the Royal Park's half marathon was oversubscribed as well. So we were very confident there was the demand for it. And there was a gap the gap in the market. And in terms of fundraising, you know the half marathon distance is a really brilliant distance to fundraise for.
00:05:34
Lia
um you know It's achievable. You know, most charities set their fundraising minimum pledge around 350, 400 pounds. Um, it's achievable and it's a challenge as well. Um, because if, you know, runners running five, 10 K obviously that is, that is still a challenge, but it's perhaps not as fundraiserable for and a half marathon is.
00:05:55
UKRunChat
Yeah, I think it puts a lot of people off, doesn't it, trying to raise like thousands of pounds for for an event.
00:06:00
Lia
Exactly. Yeah. It's more difficult yet to raise, to raise more.
00:06:01
UKRunChat
So yeah, yeah.
00:06:03
Lia
Yeah. So it's a very achievable fundraising target for most.
00:06:06
UKRunChat
Yeah, much more accessible. So did you have a clear vision from the start of what you wanted the event to be, or has that kind of evolved over time?
Race Experience and Unique Features
00:06:15
Lia
Yeah, we did have a clear vision. We knew it needed, we knew we we wanted it to be a central London route. We knew that it had to involve other charities.
00:06:25
Lia
and So yeah, we we were we were quite clear. Yes. Yeah.
00:06:30
UKRunChat
so So talk us through the route then. What's it like? It's an event that I've i've not done. I've done the london like the the London Marathon and obviously a lot of the landmarks in in the half, you can kind of see from there, but i've I've never experienced your event.
00:06:43
UKRunChat
So just talk us through the route and what what can people expect from it?
00:06:47
Lia
Oh, yeah. Oh, you have to run it next year. um The Rue, oh, my gosh, it's absolutely incredible. So it starts on Whitehall just outside Downing Street and it finishes by Trafalgar Square. And it go it's a lovely flat route through central London. And, you know, runners get to see Big Bend, St. Paul's Cathedral, you the London Eye, the Shards, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Guildhall Yard, you know, london they get to see all of London's most iconic landmarks but the strapline of the event is the grand, the quirky, the hidden. So the race isn't just about celebrating London's grand, iconic landmarks. It's also about shining a spotlight on its quirky and hidden history.
00:07:33
Lia
so So throughout the route, runners will see we have these big pink signs and they essentially set out the quirky and hidden things that are along the route that look that people may not necessarily know about. So some examples are direct just by Trafalgar Square is Britain's smallest police station.
00:07:52
Lia
um Our route a route passes very close to a shop called Lock and Co, which is the birthate of the bowl the birthplace of the Bowler Hat, which is where the Bowler Hat was found, was found created in 1840.
00:08:01
UKRunChat
Oh,
00:08:05
Lia
And then also there's great there's um Australia House as well, that's that was used as a setting of Gringotts Bank in Harry Potter. So we yeah, we shine a spotlight on the quirky and hidden things along the route as well as celebrating the the grand iconic landmarks.
00:08:21
UKRunChat
that's fab. So you could, there's something to see throughout the whole of the run then.
00:08:26
Lia
Oh, there there really there really is. um you know that I think that's one of the things that that helps to set us aside from some other races. There's literally never-addle moment. So i think along the route this year, we have 538 activities happening. um And this is a mixture of Charities chair stations, activations that we put on.
00:08:49
Lia
So by an activation, i mean, um so you know, the the race is about celebrating London's, you know rich history and its its diverse communities.
00:08:59
Lia
So we have a number of activations where one of these things is celebrated so for example in guild hall yards we have our roman reception and so in guilds hall yard we work with a gladiator reenactment company and runners can have a selfie with a gladiator um we work with london front runners to put on um our pride party in trafalgar square which is obviously a celebration of the lg lgbtq plus community um we work with um
00:09:14
UKRunChat
Thank you.
00:09:29
Lia
London show choir to put on an activation, and which is all about celebrating the you know the West End musical scene and they sing lots of songs from all the the different West End performers. um So we have 10 of these activations that we put on as a team and then we empower all of our charities to put on a themed charity cheer station.
00:09:51
Lia
And those cheer stations, you know, the the charities love coming up with the themes for the cheer station. And, you know, some of my favorites from over the years have been, I remember one year Alzheimer's Research UK, they had a cheer station which was celebrating London's old market.
00:10:06
Lia
So they they basically set up a market stand along the route and they had um they had ah somebody who was dressed up as Del Boy from Only Fools and Horses and he was there cheering on the runners.
00:10:14
UKRunChat
I thought,
00:10:17
Lia
I think it was prostate cancer one year. They they set up and a London's Victorian pub along the route. You know, we've had the history of the circus. You know, we've had all sorts of theme chair stations along the route.
00:10:32
Lia
charities really, really embrace it. And it just makes a lovely run for the runners. You know, our runners ah often tend to say to us, you know, they sometimes they don't notice they're actually running because there's so much happening along the route.
00:10:45
Lia
um And we also work, we have three big performance stages and we work with lots of local musical acts and dance acts to, to fill those stages with entertainment for the runners and throughout the day.
00:10:57
Lia
And we have a dance performance area as well. and My mum's dance group, her Shimmy Fusion Cafe, they're actually, they're a belly dance group and they're actually performing this year. They've performed every year actually.
00:11:07
Lia
So it's lovely.
00:11:07
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:11:08
Lia
I get to see my mum on race day as well. And she's there.
00:11:10
UKRunChat
Oh, that's lovely.
00:11:11
Lia
shimmying away with her dance group um so yeah there literally never is a dull moment along the route
00:11:17
UKRunChat
Yeah, so yeah, there's a lot of storytelling going on there. and I love that. That's, I mean, the ballot fills up every year, doesn't it?
00:11:21
Lia
yeah
00:11:23
UKRunChat
It's so, so popular. Why why do you think it's resonated so strongly with runners?
00:11:28
Lia
Yeah, the ballot, we had to, we introduced the ballot in in year two. So in 2019 was our first year we had to ballot. This year the ballot was, um ah we we couldn't believe it at LHM HQ. The numbers just kept with on coming in. It was so, so oversubscribed. um i think I think a number of things. i think I think it's, you know, it's being organized by charity for a charity. I think that's a real unique selling point. the fact that it's so charity focused around 85% of our places are charity places so it really means something to run the London landmarks half marathon and obviously the route I mean the route is incredible to have the opportunity to run through central London on closed roads is a very very rare opportunity and we're so fortunate to have the route we have and
00:12:20
Lia
The team at Westminster City Council and the City of London Corporation and Transport for London, they are so supportive. And the route is ah it's an absolute cracker. um And we also try so hard as well to make the race as inclusive as possible.
Inclusivity and Charity Focus
00:12:34
Lia
as possible I think people feel really included when they run our race. know Our race isn't about the elite runners. We don't have an elite field. Our race is all about charity runners and celebrating so many good causes. And I think this this resonates with a lot of people.
00:12:51
UKRunChat
Yeah, I mean, why why do you think runners connect differently to an event when there's like a strong charity cause behind them? it's It does seem to really grab their attention, doesn't it? And gives them a lot of motivation. What are your thoughts behind that?
00:13:06
Lia
Yeah, I think it does. I think i think running running can help heal help help with the healing process. I think a lot of a lot of people who run are running in memory of somebody. I think they're running running for a cause close to their heart. and i think Running gives them that focus and it gives them that opportunity to to raise money, to to give back or to help others not be in a similar situation to to themselves. And I think it gives it gives a real, real focus.
00:13:39
UKRunChat
Yeah, so yeah that that was interesting what you were saying about, did you say 85% of places are ah charities? That's huge, isn't it
00:13:47
Lia
It is huge. Yeah.
00:13:48
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:13:48
Lia
It's quite different to to other races, but yeah, because it does the races organized by Tommies for many other good causes. That's really, really important to us.
00:13:57
UKRunChat
yeah Yeah, that's fantastic. So what's the atmosphere like on the course? And obviously you've got all these activations and all these groups taking place and re-enactments. What's what's the crowd support like on the day?
00:14:08
Lia
The crowd support is absolutely fabulous. I mean, run our runners tell us that that is that is one of their favourite things about the day, just the support on the course and the colour and the vibrancy and the noise. i mean, i've I've never personally run the race myself, which is... which is a shame. um But um yeah, the runners tell us that they absolutely ah adore the atmosphere. there's As I mentioned before, there's 538 activities and that's without taking into account the general public and, you know, the tourists that are just that just simply happen to be in London on that day. um i think we estimate for every runner we have, they bring along around four supporters. So you think, you know, with 20,000 runners, there's 80,000 spectators there on the day, creating that atmosphere along with um the route, combined with people who are just generally in London on that day. So we think there must be at least over 100,000 people kind of cheering on the runners, which just gives them that added kind of momentum and support um when they really need it because running a half marathon is isn't
Challenges and Logistics of Organizing the Event
00:15:13
Lia
easy. It's a real challenge. um So yeah, the support on the route is absolutely incredible.
00:15:20
UKRunChat
So, do I mean, look London is obviously a very complex place to host an event. What did it take to secure a route through Westminster and the and the city? Just take us through those early days of like, where where do you even start with that?
00:15:35
UKRunChat
That must be a logistical nightmare, really. Yeah.
00:15:38
Lia
It is. i mean And, you know, that's not Tommy's area of expertise. You know, Tommy's, we are a pregnancy and baby charity. And so obviously we worked at we worked in partnership with with experts. You know, there's so many things to think about, you know, local businesses and residents, you know, emergency access to hospitals.
00:15:56
Lia
bus diversions, you know, the and especially in London, you know, the night bus diversions as well, because that's, ah I guess, that's an added complexity that London has, which other cities don't have, you may not have night buses.
00:16:07
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:16:09
Lia
um So, yeah, we we work in partnership with, you know, or the The person we worked in partnership with a lady Cordova, Yvonne Nicholson in the early days who who put together our route and obviously we had good support from the city um and Westminster as well who were able to help advise.
00:16:25
Lia
But yeah, that's not something that I or Tommy's can take credit for because creating routes through central London doesn't definitely doesn't feel fall into the remit of a baby charity.
00:16:35
UKRunChat
Was that a long process though to get the to get the route agreed and to get everything in place for that first running of the event?
00:16:42
Lia
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, closing down central London isn't you know isn isn't easy. And, you know, as I mentioned before, you know, we we decided that we wanted to try and make it happen in, I think it was December 2014.
00:16:58
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:16:58
Lia
And the race didn't, that first race didn't happen until March 2018. So it it was a long process, but but we got there and i'm very happy that we did.
00:17:11
UKRunChat
what's like what's race morning like kind of behind the scenes of the event because obviously as as a runner we just turn up and and we run it don't we we we get there a bit early we we visit the loo we make sure we've got all our kit on and then we just run it there must be a lot going on behind the scenes of a race like this like what what time does everything start for you and
00:17:20
Lia
Thank you.
00:17:34
Lia
Yeah, so on race morning, so the Great Run Company who are our operational delivery partner, they are the ones who are in charge of all of the operations on the day. And we're so fortunate to work with them. So obviously the Great North Run has been going for 45 years now, and they are so experienced and they are so slick, but obviously they can't do it alone. They work in partnership with so many agencies. So everyone from the city of London Corporation, Westminster city council, you know Transport for London, all of the security companies, the emergency services. And I think the day for the Great Run Company starts at about 2am. So their team are up in the very, very early hours, putting the road closures in, implementing the and the bus diversions, you know getting all of the signage up, getting the infrastructure up you know It's a tight timeline with you know the night buses needing access until a certain amount of time.
00:18:33
Lia
We have to wait until that has happened before we can start setting up around Trafalgar Square, which is really our our event hub. um and and then for me personally i I I'm up a little bit later it's more like half five six for me um I get a little bit of a lion and I walk I walk out there and you know it's dark and that there's no traffic because by that point the road closures are in um and London is like a ghost town you know there's very few
00:19:04
UKRunChat
That must feel really weird, actually. Yeah.
00:19:07
Lia
Oh, it really does. And I, you know, that is like the pinch myself moment. It's like, oh my gosh, like Tommies, all of our partners together, we have closed down central London and 20,000 runners are about to descend a hundred thousand spectators. And we are about to, you know, this year's race, raise 18 million pounds for 800 different charities. And The feeling is just, you know it really is a pinch myself moment that we've we've made this happen. And then, you know as the runners begin to arrive and and the music starts to play, because obviously we can only put music on at a certain time because of the local the local residents, um you know, the atmosphere builds and it's just, it's it's so exciting. And, you know, my role, i've from the very first race, I've always played
00:19:57
Lia
been there at the start line to cheer every single runner over the start line. So I am there with my pom poms and I cheer every single person over that start line. And it is, it's such a proud, humbling and emotional moment because so it means so much to everybody who's running here. They've trained so hard, they've fundraised and finally, you know, they are there doing the run.
00:20:27
Lia
raising money for charity and it's just it's just the most incredible feeling i feel so lucky
00:20:32
UKRunChat
Yeah, I've i've got goosebumps as she's talking. Yes, that sounds incredible. do you know, like did do you ask people whether it's a first half marathon? Like what what proportion of people are doing first?
00:20:45
Lia
we we we do We do capture that on our registration form, yeah.
00:20:49
UKRunChat
Yes.
00:20:49
Lia
but i don't I don't actually have that um i don't have that off the top of my head, I'm afraid. like i i can't I can't answer that question. um
00:20:56
UKRunChat
Yeah, because that's that's a huge deal, though, isn't it? If that's your first half marathon, light I can just imagine the emotion of people crossing over the line. Yeah.
00:21:04
Lia
Yeah, I think i think because there are so many, I know it's a high proportion, I just can't give you the exact percentage because I see it's so many of our places are charity places.
00:21:04
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:21:13
Lia
It's very hard to get a charity place a year on year because obviously there' so there's only so many times you can ask people to support your fundraising. And when you've got a minimum fundraising target of three, 400 pounds, it's very difficult to raise that year on year.
00:21:28
Lia
So a lot of our runners are fresh numbers, fresh runners, but I don't have the exact that percentage, I'm afraid.
00:21:34
UKRunChat
yeah Oh, no, no. i was just wondering out of interest.
00:21:35
Lia
sir
00:21:36
UKRunChat
Yeah, I should have asked you beforehand, shouldn't I?
00:21:37
Lia
I'm annoyed because we do capture it.
00:21:39
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:21:39
Lia
I just don't, I just don't have that to hand.
00:21:41
UKRunChat
no I was just thinking back to my first half marathon because I did that for charity and ah I remember crying at the finish line, like with with relief, but also pride because, yeah, it's it's a huge moment, isn't Yeah.
00:21:55
Lia
It's a real huge moment. Yeah. And it means so much. It means so much.
00:22:00
UKRunChat
So, I mean, what what are the main challenges for an event of this size now, like running it? is Is there anything that is is a struggle and that you' you're constantly like struggling with?
00:22:11
UKRunChat
I'm just thinking if there's other event directors out there, might help them a little bit.
00:22:14
Lia
Yeah, the main challenge we have as as Tommies is is not being able to facilitate the demands that we have for the race.
00:22:27
Lia
So that and that that and that causes you know that that causes challenges with us. Obviously we had to introduce a ballot for the public in year two of the race.
00:22:38
Lia
But lash for for this year's race, for the first time, we weren't actually able to facilitate the demands from the charity sector either. So we had applications in for far more many charity <unk> places than we actually had charity places available.
00:22:46
UKRunChat
Oh, why not? one
00:22:53
Lia
So for the first time, we had to introduce a ballot to enable new charities to take part in the race because we simply just didn't have um the the overall number of places.
00:23:03
Lia
So that was one specific challenge that that we had and we had to implement new processes to kind of manage the demands. But the other challenges, they're mainly operational challenges and they're challenges which are out of our control.
00:23:17
Lia
So, for example, last year we had a challenge in that the there was a very important military leaf laying ceremony. that had to take place the day of our race.
00:23:29
Lia
And the minute the military reef laying ceremony was happening at the exit of our finish line funnel. So essentially, 20,000 runners needed to to exit the finish, but there would be a military reef laying ceremony there, so it couldn't happen.
00:23:46
Lia
And so the challenge that the Great Run Company, is sorry, the solution that the Great Run Company came up with was to reverse the route, which was an absolutely brilliant suggestion.
00:23:56
UKRunChat
Genius.
00:23:56
Lia
It was genius and it works so well and so much so that we've actually kept the route reversal in place for this year and it's going to be how we run the route moving forward.
00:24:07
Lia
and I think runners runners like it more because there's a really long section of the route along the embankment. And in previous years that had been at the end of the route, but now that is right at the beginning of the route.
00:24:19
Lia
So runners run that long stretch and then they have a you know more interesting kind of weavy experience within the city. So it's actually been a ah huge success for the event.
00:24:29
UKRunChat
So is that a permanent change then?
00:24:30
Lia
So it's not, it's now going to be a permanent change. Yeah. So it's things which are out of our control like that. And, you know, two years ago, we had a situation whereby the um the weather changed ah at the last minute, it was unexpected, very, very high winds, which we weren't expecting with with the time of year that the race falls.
00:24:53
Lia
But the winds were forecast to be so high that the paper cups that were due to be handed out at the water stations would have would have blown over. So i know at the last minute we had to implement a solution whereby we we reverted to handing out plastic bottles at the at the drink stations, which we had to do because the winds were so high.
00:25:13
Lia
So it's things like that which are out of our control that that pose the challenges.
00:25:13
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:25:18
Lia
um But as I say, the Great Run Company is so experienced and we feel so lucky to work with them.
00:25:21
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:25:25
UKRunChat
Yeah. And are costs rising for you in events the same way that they're rising for kind of the average consumer on the streets? Is is that a challenge as well?
00:25:35
Lia
Yeah, it is. I mean, of course, you know, costs rise with inflation and then the more runners we have, you know, simply, you know, the more runners we have, the more medals we have to buy, the more toilets we need to provide.
00:25:44
UKRunChat
Okay.
00:25:45
Lia
So yeah, there's inflationary costs and there's costs that rise in hand with, that go hands in hand with the rising participants. But, you know, I'm saying that, you know, in the more participants we have, the more we raise.
00:25:57
Lia
so um so so yeah So yes, costs are rising, but as long as we can continue to, you know, slowly and steadily grow the overall number of runners. Um, that's it, it means that, you know, the race is still, you know, it works very well.
00:26:13
UKRunChat
Yeah. And is there scope for you to to grow the event and accept more runners on? I mean, it's a nice problem to have, isn't it, when you're you've got, you know, demand is so high.
00:26:22
Lia
Yeah, exactly.
00:26:23
UKRunChat
But is is, I mean, it must be frustrating for you as well, not being able to accommodate everybody.
00:26:29
Lia
It is, but also we understand our our our strategy has always been to grow slowly and steadily and not try and run before we can walk. you know The first race we had 10,000 runners.
00:26:40
Lia
This year we have 20,000 runners. So we've gradually grown year on year and we would love to continue to do that. But obviously the more runners we have, the longer the roads stay open for and the longer the roads stay open for, the more disruption that causes. So it's it's a delicate balance. um So, you know, we would love to grow the race, but, you know, slowly slowly and steadily in line with what we've always been doing.
00:27:06
UKRunChat
Yeah.
Impact of the Pandemic and Future Plans
00:27:06
UKRunChat
How was the period during the pandemic for you when lockdown happened? That must have been a challenge.
00:27:14
Lia
Oh, that was one of the worst days of my life.
00:27:15
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:27:16
Lia
Like we say the London landmarks were I think we were there. We were the first race to be cancelled. So in 2020, I think we we went into lockdown something like the 14th or 15th of March and the race was due to take place on the 25th of March.
00:27:22
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:27:28
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:27:31
Lia
so we just missed out on on the race happening. And then because because it was such an uncertain time, we didn't know if we were postponing the race or canceling the race.
00:27:42
Lia
So I think we postponed three times and then the event, the date, the sorry, we postponed to September and then to March and then to May.
00:27:54
Lia
And then the race eventually happened in the August. And we were the first race back from the pandemic, following the pandemic as well.
00:28:01
UKRunChat
what
00:28:02
Lia
so when the restrictions were lifted and we were able to um the race was able to take place it was such an important day I think for the whole running industry and indeed just sports in general because we were the first big big off event back in the UK so there were a lot of eyes on us and I always remember like ITV and BBC News were there and I was interviewed and I was I was literally in tears like it was It had been such a a tough time like to finally be back was just the most magical moment. And now I remember we had to deliver a socially distant event. We had to get everybody to sign a health declaration form to do the lateral flow test in advance of the race. There were all sorts. you know So we delivered a socially distant event. you know Charities could only have six people maximum at their cheer stations. you know All of the cheer stations had to be spaced out and allocated a place along the route. yeah It was quite it was quite the operation
00:29:01
UKRunChat
how did that work in practice from runners then in terms of being socially distant i didn't do any races during that period because i had horrible anxiety around it all as i'm sure many of us did but how how was that in practice for the participants
00:29:15
Lia
Well, the participant had to sign the health declaration form and the like in advance and do the lateral flow test and confirm that that that they really were okay to participate.
00:29:19
UKRunChat
Yeah. Yeah.
00:29:22
UKRunChat
yeah
00:29:25
Lia
And then if I remember, the Great Run Company implemented a system whereby and the flow was... and the The number of participants that crossed the start line per minute was much less than what what would usually be the case.
00:29:44
Lia
So the the participants were released onto the route at a much slower and rate than they would normally be to help manage that.
00:29:54
UKRunChat
Yeah. Yeah. Gosh, what yeah what a challenging year that must have been for you all. Yeah.
00:30:00
Lia
ah Yeah, it was it was really tough.
00:30:01
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:30:02
Lia
And obviously, you know, the impact that it had on the charity sector was was huge. You know, events are such an important fundraising medium for so many charities.
00:30:12
Lia
So to have that taken away from the charity sector for over a year was, yeah, it was a really tough time.
00:30:19
UKRunChat
yeah so So what could runners expect from this year's then if they're looking forward to and registered? It's happening on the 12th of April.
00:30:26
Lia
It is the 12th of April, my birthday.
00:30:27
UKRunChat
Oh, OK.
00:30:29
Lia
So what a way to celebrate my birthday. um what can i mean, they I hope they can expect one of the best days of their lives. Like they can expect a very well-organized race.
00:30:43
Lia
It's going to be smooth. The sun, the weather is going to be good. Let's say it will be good. it will be, you know, kind of cloudy, a little bit of sun, no wind, hopefully not torrential rain.
00:30:54
Lia
um And then they can expect the most electric atmosphere. They can expect to feel really included, well supported. They all get a brilliant goodie bag at the end of the race.
00:31:05
Lia
We haven't released our medal yet. We are releasing that next week, but the medal is ah is a cracker this year. um And I hope they can just expect to feel really good about themselves.
00:31:18
Lia
And I hope that they will have one of the best days of their lives.
00:31:21
UKRunChat
Yeah, it's it sounds amazing. and And if people weren't lucky enough to get in this year, they can pre-register for ballot entry next year. Is that right?
00:31:32
Lia
Yeah, they can indeed. Yeah, pre-register for next year is is live now.
00:31:33
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:31:36
Lia
They just need to go to the homepage of our website, llhm.co.uk. There's a big pre-register button there. The race next year will take place on the 4th of April, 2027.
00:31:48
Lia
That's the in-principle date we have. and So next year is also going to be our 10-year anniversary. So a super special year. And it's also going to be a really proud moment as well.
00:32:00
Lia
To date, we've raised around 83 million pounds through the race. and So I expect by race day next week, we will have raised at least 90 million, which means we through next year's race to 10 year edition, and we will exceed 100 million.
00:32:18
Lia
So it's going to be a real celebration next year.
00:32:19
UKRunChat
That is incredible, yeah.
00:32:22
Lia
So yeah if anyone would like to pre-register, just go to our website.
00:32:23
UKRunChat
Oh, it will be.
00:32:26
Lia
The pre-register form is live and the ballot will be the what the ballot will happen in in June.
00:32:32
UKRunChat
Yeah, okay, wonderful. and So, I mean, what what does the future look like for London Landmarks Half End? So, you've you've changed the route direction. Have you got any other big plans over the next 10 years?
00:32:43
Lia
Oh, watch this face. As as I mentioned before, our our aspiration is to grow the race, select continue to grow the race slope slowly and steadily and just to take on board learnings from each year, nottra to try and run before we can walk and just to make the race, continue to make the race feel as inclusive and as accessible as possible. um And yeah, just to really build up builds on what we've we've already got.
00:33:11
UKRunChat
Yeah. And have you got any tips for somebody out there who's thinking of maybe doing the first half marathon with you? What would you or would you say to them if they're feeling a bit nervous or...
00:33:20
Lia
i mean I would totally encourage them to pre-register, try their luck in the ballot, and if they're not successful, to get a charity place and to do to do that over the summer. and That gives that gives you know eight, nine months to train. Start off with a park run, then take on a 10K, and then gradually build build from there. um you know Everybody is welcome at the LLHM. As I mentioned, you know we don't have an elite field. we celebrate, you know, our last our last finisher is escorted to the finish line by three classic minis. We're also working with team finished together this year. and our Our first, you know, big numbers one to five are awarded to the top five fundraisers. You know, they're not awarded to the fastest runners. and It's all about, you know, just
00:34:08
Lia
as just being as inclusive and as welcoming as possible so i would highly recommend if anyone is is considering it to to sign up get yourself to park from take on a 10k and then work work to llhm 2027. um
00:34:24
UKRunChat
fantastic. Oh, well, thank you so much, Leah, for joining me today and sharing the incredible story behind the London Landmark South Marathon.
00:34:27
Lia
wo
00:34:31
UKRunChat
It's been fascinating to hear where the idea came from.
00:34:33
Lia
oh
00:34:34
UKRunChat
And congratulations on what sounds like a wonderful event. i think you've convinced me that I'm going to go and hit pre-register now.
00:34:40
Lia
Oh, brilliant. Well, thank you so much for having me. And yeah, hope to see you on the start line next year for the 10 year edition.
00:34:45
UKRunChat
Yeah, well, I'll see you at the finish line if you're the one with the pom-poms. LAUGHTER
00:34:49
Lia
yeah I'll be there at the start and finish line. So yeah, look forward to seeing you next year. Thank you for having me. I really appreciate it.
00:34:56
UKRunChat
Yeah. oh Well, if you're lucky enough to have a place this year, soak it all in and let us know how it goes. And if not, then it might be time to enter that ballot. We'll put some links in our show notes. And as always, you can find more episodes of the UK Run Chat podcast wherever you download your podcast from. And don't forget to share this episode with a friend or tag us in your running adventures. Until next time.