The Story Behind the London Landmarks Half Marathon with Lia

In this episode of the UKRunChat podcast, Michelle speaks with Lia Fyles, the driving force behind the London Landmarks Half Marathon.

What started as a fundraising challenge for Tommy's has grown into a 20,000-runner event that celebrates London’s history, community, and charitable spirit while raising millions for good causes.

Lia shares how the event came to life, the challenges of closing central London, and why the race has become such a sought-after experience for runners.

We chat about:

• How the idea for the London Landmarks Half Marathon was born
• Turning a fundraising goal into a major national event
• The challenges of organising a race through central London
• What makes the route unique, from iconic landmarks to hidden gems
• The role of charity in shaping the event’s identity
• Behind-the-scenes insights from race day
• Challenges facing race organisers today
• Why the event resonates so strongly with runners
• What the future holds for the race
• Reversing the race route due to a military ceremony

Links & Info

• Pre-register for next year’s ballot via the official LLHM website: https://llhm.co.uk/