Politicians Running The London Marathon Say It Makes Them "Better MPs"

MPs have said running makes them better at their jobs, as a record 20 MPs and peers from different parties will be taking part in the London Marathon today.

12 Conservative MPs, three Labour MPs, two SNP MPs, one independent MP and two peers are taking on the 26.2 mile race across London – the most serving politicians to have ever participated. 

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is the most senior MP running, and former health secretary and now independent MP Matt Hancock is also taking part. Other participants include first-time marathon runner Tory MP Dehenna Davison and Tory MP Alun Cairns, who is running for the 12th time and holds the record – alongside James Timpson MP – for the highest number of London Marathons completed as an MP and was the fastest MP in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

PoliticsHome spoke to multiple MPs taking part this year, who shared why they believe running a marathon helps them be better MPs.

Cairns said that the discipline needed for marathon training helps him to prioritise tasks in his busy working life.

"For me personally, I find it a great discipline and structure," he said, explaining that he starts his training in December each year leading up to the race in April and that this "definitely" makes him a better MP.

"I think about problems when I'm out on a long run. It's that time to get to yourself to have a little bit of space and think about all the challenges and the opportunities and everything else that in a busy life we don't get a chance to think and talk about," he explained. 

"The structure throughout the day, it gives me focus and if I'm running in the evening, it means that I won't have a drink in the Parliament bars."

He added that fundraising has enabled him to get closer to the work of individual