Farmers and rural runners shine at London Marathon

While record-breaking performances dominated headlines at the TCS London Marathon 2026, runners with deep ties to farming and rural life carved out their own stories across the 26.2-mile course from Greenwich to The Mall.

Kenyan athlete Sabastian Sawe broke the men’s marathon world record, becoming the first athlete to run the distance in under two hours in a legal race, finishing in 1:59:30 after a dominant closing surge.

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Among the wider field was Ross Edwards, a dairy farmer from Monmouthshire of A R Edwards & Son, New Dairy Farm, who ran in memory of his father Hugo Edwards after his death from sepsis.

Supporting the UK Sepsis Trust, the Edwards family also sold a British Blue x bull calf at Monmouthshire Livestock Centre to raise additional funds for the charity.

Elsewhere on the course, Michael Barrett, a Cornish dairy farmer from Tredinnick Farm near Liskeard, took on the challenge dressed in a bespoke Kubota tractor costume based on his M7-154.

Having previously run the marathon in 2010, Michael returned with a new goal – to beat the existing tractor costume record of 4 hours 50 minutes and 54 seconds while raising money for local charities.

Michael Barrett in his Kubota tractor costume © Kubota

His lightweight 10kg costume, built from bath panels, aluminium framing and agricultural components, reflected both creativity and a strong connection to farm life.

After setting a strong early pace with a blistering first half of 2 hours 21 minutes, he eventually crossed the line in 5 hours 23 minutes and 10 seconds, just outside the record but still completing the course in determined fashion.

Craig and Chloe

The marathon also held deep personal meaning for Craig Dennis and his wife Chloe, whose lives were changed following a serious farm accident in 2019 when Craig suffered catastrophic injuries after falling from a roof.

Despite being told he would never walk again, Craig rebuilt his strength and completed the 2025 London Marathon in a wheelchair.

Inspired by his determination, Chloe took on the 2026 event after progressing from Couch to 5K, running in support of The Rooprai Spinal Trust.

Chloe said: “If you can do it with your arms, I can surely do it with your legs.”

The couple, childhood sweethearts since the age of 16, described their marathon journey as a shared milestone following years of recovery and resilience.

Craig and Chloe Dennis © Craig Dennis

Farming and rural connections were also represented more widely through charity teams including the Countryside Alliance Foundation Marathon Team and Farm Africa runners, with participants raising funds for agricultural safety, sustainability, and rural resilience.

Other entrants supported causes such as Innovation for Agriculture and the Farm Safety Foundation – Yellow Wellies, highlighting the breadth of rural issues represented on the marathon route.

Mark Roby, a member of Bodmin Running Club, completed the course in a stunning time of 2 hours 49 minutes and 53 seconds, raising vital funds for Yellow Wellies.

A spokesman for the Farm Safety Foundation said: “Mark – you’re an absolute star! We’re hugely grateful for your support.”

Do you have a farming or rural connection and took part in the London Marathon? Email your stories and photos to philip.case@markallengroup.com