Run for the Heart of England Forest in the London Marathon 2026
Take on the challenge of a lifetime and run the iconic London Marathon 2026 with our first-ever charity bond place! By securing your spot with us, you’ll not only experience the thrill of race day by running past our capital’s famous landmarks to the cheers of thousands of people, but you’ll also be making a positive difference to growing and maintaining England’s largest new native woodland.
Why should I run for the Heart of England Forest?
Running the London Marathon for us is an incredible way to challenge yourself while positively impacting the environment. Every step you take will help plant and protect this beautiful native broadleaf woodland, creating a greener, healthier future for generations to come.
You’ll receive expert fundraising support and encouragement along with the motivation of knowing that your efforts are helping to restore vital habitats, mitigate climate change, and provide a haven for wildlife.
We only have one place in the London Marathon 2026, so we are asking everyone to complete an application form. We will then allocate our place based on your answers and run a reserve list in case any chosen runner drops out before the registration deadline.
What happens next?
If you are awarded the Heart of England Forest place, you need to pay a registration fee of £100 to confirm it. We ask you to pledge to raise a minimum of £2500 (excluding gift aid) to make sure we can plant more trees to provide clean air and nurture more habitats for threatened species.
Please complete this form to apply.
You will receive:
- Our digital fundraising pack featuring fundraising ideas and top tips
- Support via email from London Marathon Events to keep you updated on everything
- A complimentary Heart of England Forest breathable running T-shirt or vest with your name on it
- A pre-event goodie bag
More information and FAQ's
You must be over 18 to apply to run in the London Marathon.
We're thrilled that you wish to support our charity by taking on this challenge of a lifetime!
Please email fundraising@heartofenglandforest.org to find out how we can support you every step of the way.
There’s no minimum fundraising target – we simply ask that you raise as much as you can to help protect our precious landscapes, woodlands, and wildlife for future generations
We will inform the successful applicant by the end of August 2025
Please read the terms and conditions of the event for the Heart of England Forest before applying.
