Times Aaron Ramsey, Sebastian Vettel and other stars ran at London marathon

April 28, 2026 Oliver Obel

More than 59,000 runners took to the streets of London on Sunday for the 2026 London Marathon, as the annual event once again combined elite competition with mass participation.

Crowds lined large parts of the route, supporting runners ranging from professional athletes to first-time entrants and a number of high-profile public figures. Alongside the elite results, celebrity finish times became a major talking point.

High-profile names post impressive times

According to GiveMeSport, several well-known figures from the world of sport delivered strong performances over the 26.2-mile distance.

Former Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel completed the race in 2:59:08, finishing comfortably under the three-hour mark. Former cyclist Chris Newton recorded the fastest time among the listed celebrity runners, crossing the line in 2:34:42, while boxing trainer Shane McGuigan followed with 2:44:51.

Aaron Ramsey, formerly of Arsenal, narrowly missed breaking three hours, finishing in 3:00:30. He was closely followed by former Manchester United goalkeeper Lee Grant, who finished just seconds behind.

Performances across sport and entertainment

The field also included a wide mix of figures from entertainment and other sports.

Former England cricket captain Sir Alastair Cook recorded a time of 3:05:15, with McFly drummer Harry Judd finishing shortly after. Actor Cynthia Erivo delivered one of the most notable personal performances, completing the race in 3:21:40 and improving her previous best by 14 minutes.

Elsewhere, Olympic cycling champion Dame Laura Kenny finished in 3:45:05, while actor James Norton recorded 4:29:04. Fitness coach Joe Wicks and former Arsenal captain Tony Adams were among those further back, completing the course in 5:51:54 and 6:21:17 respectively.

Elite races produce headline results

At the front of the race, the elite field delivered eye-catching performances. GiveMeSport reported that Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe won the men’s race in 1:59:30, with Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha finishing close behind in 1:59:41 on his debut.

In the women’s race, Tigst Assefa secured victory in 2:15:41, claiming her second consecutive London Marathon title.

Demand for places remains high

Interest in the event continues to rise. The 2026 ballot attracted more than 1.13 million applicants, with fewer than 60,000 places available, highlighting the scale and popularity of the race.

A shared experience

While elite achievements and celebrity times draw headlines, the London Marathon remains, for many, a personal challenge. From seasoned athletes to first-time runners, participants share the same course and atmosphere, making the event one of the most distinctive in global sport.

Sources: GiveMeSport, Evening Standard