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Why do thousands run the London Marathon in costume?
TL;DR
Thousands of runners participate in the London Marathon each year, with many choosing to wear costumes ranging from whimsical to outrageous. This trend adds a unique and entertaining element to the race, showcasing creativity and personal expression among participants.
Alex Morris said running the London Marathon while dressed as a polar bear was the hardest experience of his life [Sportograf]
Every year, tens of thousands of runners flock to the start of the London Marathon, eager to prove they can go the distance.
There will also be plenty from across the country at Sunday's London Landmarks Half Marathon.
While many athletes take part in standard running gear, there are those who choose to tackle the 26.2-mile (42.2km) course in weird and wacky fancy dress.
While it adds spectacle, humour and joy, running with the extra layers or awkward clothing items presents its own challenges
"It was the single hardest experience of my entire life," said Alex Morris, almost a year after he completed the race wearing a polar bear onesie.
He had not run a marathon since his early 20s but decided to take part in aid of mental health charity Mind.
Morris did more than 200 miles of training and became known as "the polar bear guy" in his hometown.
But the 36-year-old, from Shrewsbury, also found out how restrictive his outfit was as he was forced to adapt his running style due to how difficult it was to move his legs freely.
Alex Morris said it was a "rewarding day" [Sportograf]
His biggest adversary on the day was the heat, made worse by the onesie, which led to him losing about 2kg of weight.
His marathon became a "constant battle" of putting one foot in front of the other and despite a few "frank conversations" with ambulance staff, he managed to complete the course in just over five hours.
"It was just so horrific," Morris said, "but I managed mile after mile, half mile after half mile, to eventually get to the end."
He praised the "amazing" atmosphere and support, adding: "It was an extremely hard but rewarding day.
"Looking back, almost a year to the day, I can't believe I managed to do it."
Sally Orange achieved the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon dressed as a nut in 2019 [Sally Orange]
Army veteran Sally Orange, 52, is no stranger to running the event dressed up – she has done it 14 times, mainly fundraising for mental health charities.
She holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon dressed as a nut and has previously held the records for fastest as a superhero and a fruit.
After she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she finished the race wearing a giant breast in 2025 and will be doing the same this year in aid of Breast Cancer Now, despite recently going through treatment.
"When people ask me what time I'm going for, I always say I'm going for the time of my life," she said.
"The costume enforces that within me because it shows I'm not particularly going for a fastest time.
"That's why I love it, it's almost reframing the reason for why I'm doing it - to have fun and make other people smile."
Sally Orange ran the 2025 London Marathon wearing a giant breast costume [Sally Orange]
Orange, who grew up in Stafford and now lives in Salisbury, said the other runners would often support those wearing costumes and she loved seeing the reaction from people watching.
"It takes the pressure off because it just changes the dynamic or the reason you're doing it," she added.
"You're doing it to complete it rather than to compete in it. I think you're only ever really competing with yourself unless you're an elite runner."
Chris Garratt will be taking part in his sixth London Marathon this year and hopes to break the record for the fastest while dressed in a graduation gown.
It will come three years after the 50-year-old from Worcester tried to break a similar record in 2023, while wearing a lumberjack costume.
Chris Garratt, pictured during the Worcester City Runs, previously ran the London Marathon in a lumberjack costume [Chris Garratt]
"It did not go well," he said, adding that he was hampered by the large work boots he had to wear, which got progressively heavier because of rain.
He reached 17 miles before stopping by St John Ambulance's station and telling them he wanted to reassess his life choices.
"Psychologically it wore me down," he added. "It wasn't a great experience."
He managed to complete the marathon but did not break the record, though he would run the fastest half marathon dressed as a lumberjack later that year.
Chris Garratt will be running this year's London Marathon in a full graduation outfit [BBC]
Garratt said the graduation outfit for this year, which includes a full suit, was inspired by his aim to raise money for the student scholarship and hardship fund at the University of Worcester, where he works.
While he was looking forward to it, he said he was feeling nervous, partly due to his experience in 2023.
"I think there's got to be something psychologically wrong with you to do this kind of stuff anyway," he said.
"But it's just the experience, there's nothing like it… when you go around in an outfit and you look a bit stupid, it's just phenomenal."
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Q&A
Why do runners wear costumes in the London Marathon?
Runners wear costumes in the London Marathon to express creativity, raise awareness for charities, and add an element of fun to the event.
How long is the London Marathon?
The London Marathon is 26.2 miles, which is equivalent to 42.2 kilometers.
What types of costumes are commonly seen at the London Marathon?
Costumes at the London Marathon range from humorous outfits to elaborate themed costumes, including animals, superheroes, and historical figures.
When does the London Marathon take place each year?
The London Marathon typically takes place in April each year, attracting thousands of participants and spectators.
