Stewarding the World’s Largest One-Day Fundraiser

Welcome to “The Future of Running” podcast on Head Start presented by Brooksee and hosted by Phil Dumontet.

In this episode, Phil sits down with Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events — the organization behind the TCS London Marathon, the UK’s biggest street party and the largest single-day fundraising event in the world. From its origin story in 1979 to its place today as one of the most iconic races on the planet, this is a conversation about belief, responsibility, and stewarding something bigger than a start line.

What is running’s true superpower? How do you deliver an individual, deeply personal experience at massive global scale? And what does it mean to lead a race that belongs not just to runners, but to a city, a country, and a global community? Hugh shares how London balances elite excellence with grassroots inclusivity — and why mental barriers, not physical ones, are often the hardest to break.

We also look ahead. Where will the TCS London Marathon be in 2030? In 50 years? As technology advances, will race day become more digital — or more human? A thoughtful conversation on legacy, belief, and what it takes to steward one of the world’s most important endurance events into its next era.

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