On Sunday, April 12 2026, more than 20,000 runners filled the streets of central London, turning the city into a celebration of community and giving. Together, they raised £18 million for more than 800 charities, pushing the London Landmarks Half Marathon past £85 million in total fundraising since 2018.
As an official sponsor, RBC supports this milestone and plays an active role in bringing people together through sport and charitable impact.
As one of RBC's largest UK running partnerships, the London Landmarks Half Marathon builds on the bank's broader support for charity focused half marathons globally, as well as community events such as Race for the Kids, which fund programmes supporting children's health and wellbeing.
Running together, thriving together
This year, RBC donated ten runner places to each of its three regional Signature Charity partners: Trees for Cities, The King's Trust, and Ronald McDonald House Charities UK. They ran alongside over 200 Team RBC participants, including 50 RBC employees supporting Tommy's. Running side by side with charity partners reflects our shared commitment to being present and involved in the communities we support.
Through its partnership with the London Landmarks Half Marathon, RBC brought this commitment to life. Fundraising, volunteering and active participation from colleagues helped strengthen relationships with charity partners and fellow runners, reflecting RBC's purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper. Through fundraising, volunteering, and active participation, our people helped build meaningful connections with charity partners and fellow runners alike. The LLHM perfectly captures this spirit of bringing diverse communities together and making a real difference through collective effort.
London's landmarks on show
The 2026 course took runners through key landmarks in central London, starting on Whitehall and finishing near Trafalgar Square. The route took runners through Westminster and along the Embankment before entering the City of London and then looping back upriver, passing iconic landmarks including the London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament.
The roar of community: RBC's Lions of London return
Inspired by Leo the Lion, RBC's official mascot, the Lions of London activation has become a signature highlight of the race. One of more than 500 themed charity cheer stations along the course, the RBC cheer station formed a vibrant focal point near St. Paul's Cathedral, where 30 volunteers—including RBC employees and their friends and family—helped sustain energy and encouragement throughout the day.
The cheer station created a warm, welcoming atmosphere, with volunteers handing out mini Leo the Lion plush toys, sharing motivational placards and helping families capture race day memories with selfie frames. A live performance by the International Gospel Choir added to the momentum, lifting spirits and energising runners as they passed by.
50 RBC volunteers also supported the race by running a water station near Threadneedle Street, helping to keep thousands of participants hydrated. Together, these activations reflect RBC's proactive approach to the events it supports—bringing enthusiastic volunteers together with thoughtful, family friendly elements to enhance the experience for runners and spectators alike.
Participant spotlight: Running with purpose
Caelin Bradshaw, an analyst in RBC's AI & Digital team, raised nearly £7,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities in this year's London Landmarks Half Marathon, inspired by his first hand volunteering experience with the charity in New York City.
1. What inspired you to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon for Ronald McDonald House Charities?
After joining the AI & Digital team at RBC, I quickly saw how deeply the firm is committed to supporting Ronald McDonald House New York. Hearing directly from families and seeing the impact the House has within the community gave real meaning to that commitment and inspired me to get involved.
Knowing that RBC is the largest global sponsor of Ronald McDonald House Charities — supporting families and children around the world — made the decision feel even more personal. When it came time to choose a charity to run for, RMH was an easy choice. The support I received from friends, family and colleagues helped drive me forward, and discovering that a family member had helped build the original House at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital made the experience even more meaningful. It was a powerful reminder of the charity's long standing and far reaching impact.
2. You've previously volunteered at Ronald McDonald House in NYC with the RBC AI & Digital team. How did that experience shape your approach to fundraising and running the race?
Volunteering at Ronald McDonald House NYC was an incredible experience. It's one thing to understand what a charity does, but another to see its impact first-hand. Spending time in the House serving dinner, hosting a pizza tasting contest, and giving families a few hours of fun and escape created a strong sense of connection and purpose behind my fundraising. Seeing the strength of the children and parents gave me powerful perspective—reminding me that any challenge I take on is small in comparison.
RBC's commitment to excellence extends beyond our clients to the communities we serve, and volunteering in NYC made that commitment tangible. While we were there to support the House's mission, it felt like our team gained just as much from the experience. Giving our time and witnessing the impact reinforced how meaningful it is to be part of RBC's ongoing support for Ronald McDonald House, both locally and globally.
3. How did you balance training for a half marathon with your work commitments at RBC?
Work at RBC keeps me busy, but knowing I am part of an organization committed to excellence and positive change motivates me to stay disciplined. I made time in the evenings and weekends to train, driven both by the prospect of running for such a meaningful cause and by RBC's example of accountability—in both work and community service. Training gave me energy and perspective, reflecting RBC's values of making the most of every opportunity to support both clients and communities. The encouragement I received from colleagues at RBC reminded me that together, we can create real impact far beyond our offices.
4. Looking back on the journey—volunteering at RMH, training, fundraising, and race day - what would you say to RBC colleagues considering a future London Landmarks Half Marathon?
Do it. There are always a million reasons not to, but even more reasons to take part—especially knowing RBC is RMH's largest sponsor, making a difference in communities around the world. You'll find encouragement and accountability, you'll be supporting an excellent cause, and you'll join a group of RBC colleagues who live our purpose of giving back. Even if you're new or apprehensive, you'll be welcomed by the RBC team and inspired by the passion for service and community that defines our partnership with RMH. Participating made me grateful for the opportunity to represent RBC, deliver value with purpose and truly feel the impact for families who need it most.
Carrying the momentum forward
Caelin's story is one example of the wider impact delivered through RBC's Change A Life charity programme, which brings colleagues together across the UK to support causes focused on health, opportunity and community wellbeing. Through partnerships, fundraising and volunteering, the programme reflects a shared commitment to making a tangible difference in the places where we live and work—one that continues well beyond race day.
