Kildunne 'honoured' to receive prestigious London Marathon role

Ellie Kildunne will join Sir Mo Farah as an official starter of the 2026 TCS London Marathon on Sunday 26 April.

The Women’s Rugby World Cup winner and 2024 World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year will be on the starters podium in Blackheath with the four-time Olympic gold medallist.

Kildunne will be starting the marathon fresh off the back of the Red Roses’ Round 3 Guinness Women’s Six Nations clash with Wales at Bristol’s Ashton Gate Stadium the previous afternoon.

The pair are the official starters for the elite wheelchair, elite women and elite men’s races, as well as the mass start. More than 59,000 participants will be making their way to the Mall that day.

Kildunne said: “It’s a huge honour to be part of this year’s TCS London Marathon as an official starter. The energy around the event is incredible, and to share that moment alongside Sir Mo Farah is really special.

“It’s an event that inspires people at every level, and I’m proud to help get such an amazing day underway.”

The 26-year-old back joins the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Sir Andy Murray, Leah Williamson OBE, Jill Scott MBE, Ellen White MBE, Sir Steve Redgrave, Dame Kelly Holmes and Richard Whitehead as a London Marathon starter.

So far this Women’s Six Nations the Red Roses have beaten Ireland and Scotland. In Round 2 the world champions were 84-7 winners at Scottish Gas Murrayfield and crossed the whitewash on 12 occasions.

Playing on the wing Kildunne dotted down twice in Edinburgh, made four turnovers and completed a turnover in her 62 minute performance.

This Saturday, England host Wales in Bristol as Sean Lynn’s team aim to pick up their first win of this year’s Women’s Six Nations. After two games Wales have lost to Scotland [24-19] and to France [38-7].