Joe Wicks calls on schools to be part of the 2025 TCS Mini London Marathon in schools

More than one million children and young people have taken part in the TCS Mini London Marathon in schools since it was launched in 2020 and Wicks – a celebrity supporter of WWF-UK, the event’s Official Charity Partner – wants even more schools to sign up in 2025.

Wicks said: “It’s crucial that we find ways to encourage young people to be active by making it fun and accessible to all and that is exactly what the TCS Mini London Marathon in schools is all about. I’m so happy to be joining WWF and the TCS Mini London Marathon again this year, knowing how important movement is for not just children’s physical health, but their mental wellbeing too. I’d love to see as many schools as possible right across the UK take part, encouraging students to learn, in an exciting setting, how activity and nature are key ingredients for a healthy and happy life.” 

The 2025 TCS Mini London Marathon in schools takes place between Tuesday 22 April and Friday 2 May. Schools can join in by encouraging their pupils to run, jog, walk or wheel two miles in their school setting during this timeframe. The two miles can be done in one day or split over a number of days and pupils can celebrate afterwards with a trophy awarded to all schools taking part. 

Schools can use the event to fundraise and will be supplied top tips on how to do that, as well as a toolkit which includes running numbers (just like those people running the TCS London Marathon get) and certificates for everyone taking part. Schools will also get assembly packs and WWF-UK educational resources that includes how to get involved in the charity’s Prescription for Nature campaign, which encourages people to get their daily dose of nature and to spend 20 minutes a day among nature to boost mood, reduce anxiety and raise confidence. 

This year is a historic year for the TCS London Marathon and TCS Mini London Marathon. The landmark 45th edition of the London Marathon takes place on Sunday 27 April, and the 40th edition of the Mini London Marathon on Saturday 26 April. 

Ben Cooper, Event Lead for the TCS Mini London Marathon and TCS Mini London Marathon in schools, said: “The TCS Mini London Marathon in schools is a hugely celebrated part of the TCS Mini London Marathon, the UK’s biggest one-day children’s mass participation event. It is incredible to see so many children embracing activity as part of their school community and completing the challenge with their friends. This is a great opportunity to be part of a moment that captures the hearts of the nation’s schools, with hundreds of thousands set to take part. We don’t want a single school to miss out on what will be a memorable experience, and lots of fun.” 

Jon Turner, Head of Education at WWF-UK, said: "Schools have a unique opportunity to encourage the next generation to not only protect their own health, but help to take care of the planet too. Exercise is of course crucial for a healthy body and mind – combine this with nature, and we see a huge lift in moods, improved focus while reducing stress and anxiety. Access to safe, green spaces for children to move, grow and connect should not be a luxury, and events like this help to ensure that every child, regardless of background or location, has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of nature, fostering healthier, happier, and more connected communities. By taking part and fundraising for WWF, children can play a part in restoring nature while restoring themselves.” 

The Mini London Marathon was first held in 1986 as a competition for some of the best young athletes in the country. Among those to have taken part in these championship races include Sir Mo Farah, Keely Hodgkinson, David Weir and Eilish McColgan. In 2020, the Mini London Marathon in schools was introduced to make the event accessible to children across the UK. Then, in 2022, the first mass participation TCS Mini London Marathon was held alongside the championship races. 

About 18,000 children and young people are set to take on this year’s in-person TCS Mini London Marathon. The course starts at Horse Guards Parade and participants will cross the world-famous TCS London Marathon Finish Line on The Mall, having completed either one mile or 2.6K. All places for the 2025 event have been filled. For more information about the event, click here.