“Oh gosh, I’ll have to get the trainers on!” Run the TCS London Marathon 2026 as part of Team Weldmar

Every year we’re blown away by the support from runners, and this year’s no exception with some ballot winners already getting in touch wanting to raise money for Weldmar Hospicecare. Running 26.2 miles is no mean feat, and we’re here to support you with your training and fundraising efforts every step of the way.

Would you like to join Team Weldmar for the TCS London Marathon 2026?

If you have a ballot place

It’s been a week since the ballot results went out, and if you were lucky enough to win a place but were initially a bit shocked like Eleanor (pictured above), who ran for Weldmar this year, then hopefully you’ve had time to take it in and start getting excited!

Eleanor told us: “When I got the email, I thought ‘Oh gosh, I’ll have to get the trainers on!’ It was nice joining Team Weldmar, as I knew I wasn’t on my own, and having somewhere I could go for information and support was really nice to have. Having my vest with my name on it on the day was fantastic. People were cheering me by name and giving loads of support. I found fundraising for Weldmar a positive experience too, as everyone was extremely kind and pleased to give to a local, well-deserving charity.”

With a ballot place, you can join our team by simply choosing to fundraise for us. You can just let the Fundraising team know your plans and you’re in!

You’ll be well supported, just as our Children’s Bereavement Councillor, Sandra Francis, felt she was when she completed the 2025 London Marathon.

“To have the opportunity to run the London Marathon this year felt an incredible privilege.  I felt very lucky to get a running club ballot place and I knew this would be a brilliant way to fundraise for Weldmar.  Fundraising is very out of my comfort zone but Weldmar’s fundraising team was encouraging and supportive, and there was no pressure as the only target set for fundraising was my own target.”

“Team Weldmar runners were invited to a get-together before the event to meet each other, ask any questions and talk about how excited we were, and on the day the Weldmar cheer point at miles 13 and 21 was such a boost along the way!  Please do consider fundraising for Weldmar if you have a ballot place! Not only was I proud to complete the London Marathon but to know I was raising money as I ran, for such a worthwhile cause, helped me to keep going towards the end when it felt tough.”

Eleanor told us: “When I got the email, I thought ‘Oh gosh, I’ll have to get the trainers on!’ It was nice joining Team Weldmar, as I knew I wasn’t on my own, and having somewhere I could go for information and support was really nice to have. Having my vest with my name on it on the day was fantastic. People were cheering me by name and giving loads of support. I found fundraising for Weldmar a positive experience too, as everyone was extremely kind and pleased to give to a local, well-deserving charity.”

The support you’ll receive

• A warm welcome from the fundraising team
• A welcome pack
• A branded Weldmar vest to train in
• A race day vest with your name printed on it a couple of weeks before race day
• A monthly newsletter with training and fundraising tips
• An invitation to a pre-race meetup with your fellow Team Weldmar runners
• Loud cheering from the Weldmar cheer station on race day

If you didn’t get a place in the ballot

If you missed out on a place, you definitely aren’t the only one. This year the London Marathon received a record breaking number of ballot applications with over 1.1 million people registering their interest to take part in the iconic road race in 2026.

Weldmar Hospicecare have a limited number of Gold Bond places, and applications are now closed due to a high volume of applicants and limited places – applications will re-open for the 2027 London Marathon in November.

GOLD BOND PLACE APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR the TCS London Marathon 2026

Thank you to everyone who has registered their interest in running for Weldmar.

Applications for 2027 places will open in the autumn.