Prince Harry’s foundation to rally support at London Marathon

Dorothy Reddin
Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:05:30 +0000

The Invictus Games Foundation has teamed up with a dozen military charities to establish a dedicated supporters' zone at the London Marathon later this month.

Veterans' Corner will be positioned at mile 23 of the 26-mile course, creating a focal point to honour the armed forces community and showcase their resilience.

The collaborative initiative aims to highlight veterans' stories while demonstrating the combined efforts of military charities across the country.

Organisers hope the space will generate an energetic atmosphere, emphasising that life continues beyond service-related injuries.

The marathon takes place on April 26, with the new zone marking a significant expansion of the Invictus Movement's reach.

Six wounded service personnel and veterans will tackle the route themselves, while another six runners are participating to raise funds for the Foundation.

Rob Owen OBE, chief executive of the Invictus Games Foundation, said: "The Veterans' Corner is about visibility, unity, and recognition."

He added that the collaboration means servicemen and women competing in the race, along with military charity supporters, "will hopefully get a much-needed cheer and morale boost as they near the finish line of their marathon effort."

The initiative represents a broader expansion of opportunities for armed forces members to participate in sporting events beyond the biennial Invictus Games.

The marathon announcement came alongside a second major development from the Invictus Games organisation this week.

During Prince Harry and Meghan's ongoing visit to Australia, the duke revealed plans for a brand-new international adaptive sports competition.

The Invictus Australia Sports Festival will take place in Perth in October 2026, providing fresh opportunities for wounded, injured and sick service personnel from around the world.

Organisers say the event will enable international veterans to engage in competitive sport as part of their recovery journey.

The festival represents another avenue for armed forces members to participate in adaptive athletics outside the main Invictus Games programme.

Prince Harry served in the British Army between 2005 and 2015, completing two tours of duty in Afghanistan, before founding the Invictus Games in 2014.

The next main Invictus Games will be held in Birmingham in 2027.

Mr Owen noted that while the Games "shine a global spotlight on recovery through sport," the London Marathon partnership offers a chance to celebrate the broader support network in the UK, including charities and communities backing those who have served.

Supporting veterans has been central to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Australian trip, with their first day including a visit to meet veteran families at the Australian National Veterans' Art Museum in Melbourne.