The Lalande Trophy

In creating Original Marathon we researched London's original legacy event; the Polytechnic Marathon (AKA the Poly which ran 1909 to 1996), and came across this lovely initiative - the Lalande Trophy. Awarded to the fastest novice runner each year in the 'Poly'. To qualify, you must have never STARTED a marathon before.

We instantly loved this initiative, as it encourages first timers into the often gruelling sport of Marathon running, gives novices, who may not have much of a chance in winning the race something to aim for, and the trophy could give aspiring runners the lift they need to make it to the next level.

This certainly happened to R. S. Clark (Herne Hill Harriers). Ron's performance in the Poly in 1956 and Lalande Trophy win, gave him the chance to run at the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games.

Now, if the London Marathon had such a prize, then the 2026 'Lalande Trophy' at the TCS London Marathon would have been awarded, amazingly, to a sub 2 hour marathoner! Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia stunned the athletics world with a debut 1:59:41 - finishing second!

But, this award is not just for the elites. Other, smaller marathons may find that their prizes for 'Fastest Novice' go to good club runners. After all, we all know that super-speedy club runner over 5km/10km who has never run a marathon, but we know they'd smash it if they did!

Original Marathon 2027 (the route of the first ever 26.2 mile marathon) will award its first 'Lalande Trophy' in 2027. So, who's up for an attempt to claim the first Lalande Trophy win this century?