leepeckmedia has once again helped the ABP Southampton Marathon shine across the region’s media, delivering a PR campaign that kept the city’s most-loved running event firmly in the spotlight.

With almost 9,000 runners taking to Southampton’s streets across four races – 5k, 10k, half marathon and full marathon – and thousands more lining the route to cheer them on, the ABP Southampton Marathon proved itself as one of the standout events in the Central South calendar.

This year’s marathon route took in some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including St Mary’s Stadium, the Itchen Bridge, the Common and the Culture Quarter – and for the first time, the start line was moved to the exciting new location of Dock Gate 8. The occasion was marked in style, with the race started by Saints legend Francis Benali MBE, joined by the city’s very own Mahamed Mahamed – who just days earlier had become the second fastest British athlete to run a marathon after finishing 10th at the London Marathon.

The atmosphere along the route was electric, and a big part of that was down to the incredible Music in the Marathon programme. What started as 17 live performances  around the course in 2025, grew into something truly spectacular – this year, over 300 musicians took to 15 stages along the route, with more than 40 performances spanning solo artists, community choirs and everything in between. An amazing soundtrack to an amazing event.

leepeckmedia ran the press office on the day, securing coverage across radio, TV, online and print. Highlights included a front-page splash in the Southern Daily Echo, alongside features on both ITV Meridian and BBC South Today. We also secured airtime on BBC Radio Solent and Greatest Hits Radio South Coast – ensuring the marathon was heard loud and clear right across the region.

The marathon continues to play a vital role in the community, and this year’s charity fundraising efforts were nothing short of incredible. Our client Southampton Hospitals Charity served as the event’s local lead charity, with 165 entrants raising well over £40,000 – a truly remarkable achievement.

Race director Chris Rees of organisers Rees Leisure said: “This year’s event felt different and in the best possible way. The new start line at Dock Gate 8 gave the marathon a whole new energy, and boy did we make some noise this weekend! The coverage leepeckmedia secured across TV, radio, print and social media was simply incredible – it’s always great fun working with them too. With over 1,000 runners already signed up for 2027 within just the first week, I have a feeling the best is still very much to come.”