World record holder and four-time London Marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge will plant a tree in honour of Her Majesty for The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) and launch the London Marathon’s Living Hall of Fame on Saturday 1 October – the start of the official planting season in the UK.

As part of an event that will once again bring people from all walks of life together in London, the tree is symbolic of the inspiring community spirit that exists at the heart of the Marathon and within the QGC, which has planted over million trees across the UK in Her Majesty’s name.

Whether running or cheering or watching at home, trees form a magnificent backdrop along the route of the Marathon, working silently behind the scenes to filter the air, provide shade and shelter for wildlife, and enhance London’s stunning landscape.

As well as honouring The Queen, this tree marks the launch of the London Marathon’s Living Hall of Fame, which over the next decade will see a tree planted for every London Marathon champion since 1981 (there have been 117 men, women, wheelchair and ambulant champions to date) at different locations along the famous route.

Eliud Kipchoge will plant a flowering cherry tree on Blackheath Avenue in Greenwich Park, close to the famous start of the London Marathon, accompanied by Colonel Dan Rex (CEO of The Queen’s Green Canopy) and Graham Dear (The Royal Parks) with Head Gardener Tom Brown and Grounds Supervisor Robert Search.

Eliud Kipchoge, London Marathon champion in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019, said:
“For me trees represent life and legacy. I would like this world to be a running world and a green world. Therefore, it is a great honour to plant this tree in the London Marathon Living Hall of Fame, especially since this is the first tree in the new planting season for The Queen’s Green Canopy. It is a wonderful way to remember my four victories in London and I hope to visit this tree every time I return to London in future.”