In a partnership dating back to 2010, the banking division of the Virgin Group will continue to sponsor to annual London event until at least 2017, with the race set to be called the Virgin Money London Marathon from next year.

London Marathon race director Hugh Brasher welcomed the deal saying he was "delighted" to have the support of Virgin Money for a further five years.

"The event has gone from strength to strength since the first Virgin London Marathon in 2010," he explained.

"We have had some of the greatest fields in the history of marathon running and seen some of the best races in 33 years of the London Marathon.

"In addition, our runners have continued to raise more and more money for charity, many of them using Virgin Money Giving, and the Marathon itself continues to break all records for charity fundraising.

"We are convinced our partnership with Virgin Money will help to confirm our status as the world's number one marathon."


When Virgin Money first became the title sponsor of the event it aimed to help runners raise £250 million for charity over five years.

In the first three years, runners raised more than £150 million ($229 million/€175 million), before a record-breaking £52.8 million ($80.6 million/€61.7 million) was raised in 2012, of which more than £17.8 million ($27.2 million/€20.8 million) was collected through the Virgin Money Giving not-for-profit online fundraising service.

"I am delighted to announce the extension of Virgin Money's London Marathon sponsorship," Jayne-Anne Gadhia, chief executive of Virgin Money, said.

"It is such an epic and inspirational day and holds the record as the world's biggest annual fundraising event.

"We launched Virgin Money Giving in 2009 as it has always been our ambition to support the runners in their attempts to raise even greater amounts of money for good causes."

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