This year we have ten amazing runners who are training hard for the London Landmarks Half Marathon on the 7th April 2024.
They’ll be joining 17,000 runners at the start on Pall Mall and racing past fabulous views of London’s most iconic landmarks including our Somerset House office, Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London and the London Eye before finishing by Downing Street.
The funds our runners raise will help us to create inclusive, measurable social impact through providing engaging, interactive, evidence-based live music experiences to those whose circumstances would otherwise deny them the benefit. Our live music sessions meaningfully enhance health and well-being, improve communication, strengthen relationships and deliver positive effects long after the last note has been played.
Cheer station & Post-run celebration
After the race, we’ll be hosting a celebratory gig at The Admiralty pub located on Trafalgar Square. Live Music Now folk duo Kyntra will be performing to celebrate our runners, but also to commemorate their own efforts, as one half of Kyntra, Elliot Morris, is also running the half-marathon this year! (Scroll down for more information.)
The gig at The Admiralty will start at around 2pm and is completely free and open to the public – so we hope to see you all there to congratulate our amazing runners!
Now it’s time to meet our all-star fundraising champions:
Laura Beardsmore
“I’m Project Coordinator for the South East region of Live Music Now and I’m excited to support all the amazing and transformative work our musicians do. I’m also looking forward to the personal challenge of running my first ever half marathon!”
Isabel Brew
“I’m an accountant from Australia, that has a love of the arts, music & performance (to balance my day out) and giving back to my community. I resonate with Live Music Now, as using creative means to bring together people & create a sense of community is so valuable. Being a donor to my local art program, and having volunteered for 5 years feeding the homeless or at risk – supporting LMN brings together both aspects of social causes I care about.”
John Foster
“Still running at 63… I enjoy every live music opportunity I can grab, so helping others to share the experience of music with Live Music Now is such a great cause.”
Elliott Morris
“Through Live Music Now, I’ve played in care homes, nurseries, hospices, libraries, special schools, exclusion schools, colleges, hospitals, festivals…and even live-streamed to most of the primary schools in Merseyside! Live Music Now provides work for not just me but around 250 musicians, introducing us to some incredible and inspiring audiences, to whom music can really make a big difference.
I began running in lockdown, when we were allowed to exercise outside a bit more. I well and truly caught the running bug – I started competing in virtual 10ks and half marathons, and transitioned to running in real races when they started up again. If you’d like to sponsor my run with a donation to Live Music Now, it’d definitely act as some fuel in my tank, whilst also meaning they can continue to make music happen in places that need it most. If I can support the charity’s work through not just playing, but running too, then I’m going to run as well!”
Elizabeth Pole
“I started running about 8 years ago after the birth of my second child, having previously been pretty inactive. From couch to 5k and then joining my local triathlon club (Medway Tri), I am really proud of the progress I have made, and I ran my first half marathon last year! I learned about Live Music Now from my triathlon friend Janet who is CEO and as a fellow music lover, I knew I couldn’t say no when an opportunity arose to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon to raise some funds.”
Holly Redshaw
“I’m proud to be running the London Landmarks Half Marathon for Live Music Now. Live Music Now do amazing, inspiring work, bring music to across the UK to those who are less able to readily access it. As well as fostering and encouraging creativity, engagement and development, they support their artists tirelessly and I’m proud to be a Live Music Now musician!”
Nelson Sinclair
“In the past I have raised money for World Cancer Research Fund but this time due to my current circumstances I would like to raise money for Live Music Now. Currently I can’t play the clarinet without severe pain in both arms and have had to cancel work for the last three months. Music and playing is something I have taken for granted and this has reminded me of that. I’ve always wanted to eventually do a marathon and this will help raise money to ensure everyone has access to Live Music Now!”
Lucy Smith
“I’m a musician who recently did a pantomime around care homes myself and saw first hand the effect music that can have on individuals with dementia. I’m raising money to support this cause and help train performers so that they can give full support to the places they visit and feel supported in return. This will be my first half marathon but I’m ready for the challenge!”
Olena Hanzenko
“I am a Ukrainian in Britain, and started running actively a year and a half ago, becoming a member of a local sports club. I have loved running since childhood, it always supported me mentally, but I never ran more than few kilometers a week or even a month. Now I have raised the bar significantly and I’m trying to overcome both physical and mental barriers to achieve better results.
Music, like running, remains a vital component of mental health and resilience. I believe that music can be called an international language that directly appeals to people’s feelings. Live music brings many positive experiences, but not everyone is fortunate enough to have access to it. So I want to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon to also show my support for Live Music Now. They are an awesome charity bringing the joy of live music to care homes, schools, hospitals, hospices and community facilities across the UK.”
Sydney Grace Mariano
“Whilst I am very passionate and enthusiastic in supporting Live Music Now, I am eager to participate in this Half Marathon in memory of my late best friend. She will always be remembered for her love of running and her love of sharing music with the community, and I believe she would be very proud of how I am living my life and of what Live Music Now stands for. “
