London Marathon receives platinum sustainability recognition

The 2026 TCS London Marathon has received platinum recognition under World Athletics’ Athletics for a Better World Standard. The federation announced the assessment outcome on 5 October 2026; London Marathon Events subsequently confirmed it. This is a sustainability decision about the completed event, with publication dates separate from the April race.

The award makes London the first road race to reach the framework’s highest tier. Recognition followed an assessment and an on-site audit of environmental performance alongside social and local economic benefits. It does not describe the sporting result or establish a new running record.

The ABW framework examines 55 action areas across six pillars. Its coverage includes procurement, energy, waste, food and water, travel and accommodation. World Athletics’ certified-events register lists London at platinum, while the tiered framework also includes gold, silver, bronze and recognised achievement levels.

Reported measures included biofuels for temporary generators and a 92.8% renewable share of event energy. Public-transport support covered participants, staff and volunteers. More than 65% of products and services were procured within 100 kilometres of Greater London, and nearly 60% of waste was diverted from landfill and incineration.

The independent Global Sustainable Sport report also described charitable fundraising and community programmes as part of the assessment’s wider social dimension. The event raised £87.5 million for charity, while clothing and footwear collections supported donations and community distribution. These outcomes are distinct from the environmental measures.

The recognition concerns a delivered event and its documented practices. London Marathon Events described sustainability as continuing work rather than a finished project. The award provides a common assessment framework against which organisers can report progress across several operational areas, rather than relying on a single emissions measure.