LONDON, April 25 – As sixteen MPs and one peer lace up their trainers for this Sunday’s London Marathon, members from across the political spectrum are championing running as a way to build bridges in Westminster.
The 26.2-mile challenge will see parliamentarians from Labour, the Conservatives, and the Liberal Democrats taking part, from first-timers to seasoned distance runners. And for many, it’s more than just a race – it’s a rare chance to set aside political differences and focus on a shared goal.
John Slinger, newly elected Labour MP for Rugby and chair of the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on running, said the sport was a powerful unifier. “Don’t believe everything you see in the chamber,” he told the PA news agency. “Outside of that theatrical atmosphere, there’s a great deal of friendliness and collaboration. Running is just another way we connect, colleague to colleague, across party lines.”
Among the runners is Harriet Cross, Conservative MP for Gordon and Buchan, who once won a 50km ultra-marathon and is widely tipped as the fastest Conservative in the field. On the other side of the chamber, Labour’s Josh Fenton-Glynn brings his fell-running expertise, while Lib Dem Tom Gordon is tackling his second marathon of the month, having already completed the Paris race on April 13.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick is making his debut, albeit with some comic hiccups – he accidentally added 600 people to a WhatsApp group while trying to raise money for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association.
Mr Slinger hopes to encourage more MPs to take up the sport through the APPG, highlighting its value in alleviating the mental pressures of political life. Conservative MP Andrew Bowie, a Royal Navy veteran, agrees. “Running provides an escape from the madhouse,” he said. “It clears your head and helps you think straight.”
Labour’s Cat Smith, who began running during lockdown with Couch to 5k, will be making her third appearance at the London Marathon. “I started more for my wellbeing than fitness,” she said. “But it’s addictive – I couldn’t resist coming back.”
Others are philosophical about the MP running culture. Mr Fenton-Glynn wryly noted: “An MP once told me there are two kinds of MPs – running MPs and drinking MPs. You don’t want to be the latter.”
While no one in this year’s field is close to the 12-race record held by Alun Cairns and Edward Timpson, Labour’s Alex Norris is making his 10th marathon appearance and fourth as an MP – despite claiming he’s only done “three training runs”.
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Tim Farron, the Lib Dem environment spokesperson, is returning after a break due to a knee injury sustained while serving coffee at church. “You reach a certain age,” he said, “and you think if you stop moving, bad things will happen. Running keeps me going.”
The MPs are also using the opportunity to raise funds for a range of charities. Mr Slinger is running for Back and Forth Men’s Mental Health, while Mr Farron supports Growing Well, a mental health charity. Ms Smith is backing the Bay Hospitals Charity, and Mr Fenton-Glynn is running for Overgate Hospice.
Meanwhile, David Prescott, son of former deputy prime minister John Prescott, will join the race in memory of his father, raising money for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Though none are expected to break records – Matthew Parris’s 1985 time of 2:32:57 remains unbeaten among MPs – they’re focused on the cause, the camaraderie, and the challenge. As Mr Farron put it, “I enjoy the buzz of the event, the discipline of training, and the reminder that even in politics, we’ve got more in common than we think.”
