Abbott extends partnership with London Marathon until 2024

London Marathon Events (LME) has extended its partnership with healthcare company Abbott for another three years, from 2022 until 2024.

Abbott, a leader in Covid-19 testing technologies, has been an official sponsor of the London Marathon since 2015 and was instrumental in helping LME stage the elite races at the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon on a bio-secure closed-loop circuit around St James’s Park. 

LME is continuing to work with Abbott to support the safe and successful delivery of the 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon. The event takes place on Sunday 3 October, when 50,000 people are expected to take on the traditional route from Blackheath to the Mall, while 50,000 take part virtually from wherever they are in the world, creating a historic total of 100,000 participants and the biggest marathon ever staged. It promises to be a spectacular and memorable 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon.

Chris Miller, Divisional Vice President, Global Brand Strategy and Innovation, Abbott said: “It has never been more important to prioritise health. Abbott helps people live fuller lives through our life-changing technologies, and through our continued partnership with the Virgin Money London Marathon, we celebrate the dedication and achievement of the participants who inspire so many to be healthier.”

Hugh Brasher, Event Director, London Marathon Events said: “Our partnership has really come into its own in the past year and Abbott’s diagnostics expertise and support in Covid-19 testing was absolutely key to the successful delivery of the elite races at the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon.

“The renewal of this partnership shows the strength of the London Marathon at such a challenging time in the mass participation sports industry. We are looking forward to working together for the next three years.”

Abbott is also the title partner of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM), a series of six of the largest and most-renowned marathons in the world – Tokyo Marathon, B.A.A. Boston Marathon, Virgin Money London Marathon, BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon.

The 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon will also host the inaugural AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championship, the first-ever global age group marathon ranking system.