Case study: air quality data for London Marathon 2026

On 26 April 2026, the London Marathon did something it had never done before. For the first time, Air Aware Labs was there providing air quality route insights for elites, a live app for all participants, and data on the big screen at the Green Team start.

What we delivered

Elite route insights: in the days before the race, we provided elites with personalised data on the best training routes and times, helping them make smarter final-week decisions around pollution peaks.

Live app for all runners: a bespoke race-day app gave every participant access to hyperlocal, real-time air quality data from the course itself, not city-wide averages.

Green Team start screen: air quality information was displayed on big screens, bringing the data to runners at the moment it mattered most.

Educational material for runners in the London Marathon newsletter and a dedicated Marathon running page.

Support for London Marathon Events to complete their Athletics for a Better World certification for World Athletics.

Feedback from event organisers

Air quality impacts everyone but plays an especially significant role when exercising. We want to equip our participants with the ability to understand local air quality on event day so that they can adjust their expectations and effort levels accordingly.” Kate Chapman, Head of Sustainability at London Marathon Events

“Working with Air Aware Labs has been incredibly easy, as well as insightful and valuable for us at the TCS London Marathon.“ Sally McKendry, Sustainability Coordinator at London Marathon Events

Go deeper

→ Article about three years of London Marathon air quality data

→ The science and research on athletes and air pollution

Contact us

Our package enables you to plan, monitor, communicate and report on air quality at your event. In turn this supports your sustainability goals, participant health needs and World Athletic certifications.

Contact us to discuss your event needs: will@airawarelabs.com