London Marathon 2026: Support Harry!

17th November 2025

Much of Earthwatch Europe’s work wouldn’t have the impact it does without public support, including the wonderful fundraisers who have run the London Marathon for us. Hear from our very own CEO, Harry Barton, why he decided to take on this epic challenge.

Why did you decide to run the London Marathon? Have you taken on similar fundraising challenges before?

I’m a keen runner and have run several marathons before. All these have been off-road, so this will be a first for me in the city. Long-distance running is a great challenge as you get older, as it relies more on stamina and less on speed. But I also find running quite meditative. If I’m struggling to find a solution when I’m sitting in front of keyboard then it often suddenly comes to me when I’m running.

If you like running marathons then the London Marathon has to be on your bucket list. I have done various charity cycling fundraising challenges, including cycling around Kent (248 miles) in 48 hours. But this is the first time I’ve run a marathon for charity. So a double first for me!

Why are you passionate about nature and Earthwatch Europe’s work?

I’ve loved nature from a very early age. I spent my early years in London, and I always remember my trips to Kew Gardens and Richmond Park, which were just around the corner. The dripping tropical heat and giant leaves in the Palm House, or the herds of deer galloping over the heath.

I’ve been lucky enough to live in wildlife-rich places – on the North Downs in Kent, in the Cotswolds, and now next to Dartmoor, where I do most of my running. You can’t live in a place like this and not be into all things environmental!

Dartmoor – image credit: Drunorris / Getty Images

Passion for nature is definitely what drives me, but passion can easily be misguided if it’s not informed by science and evidence. Equally, you can’t achieve a great deal working on your own, you need back-up from your colleagues or local community. And this is where I think Earthwatch Europe stands out, because we operate in the space where all three come together – environmental action, community and science. More specifically, citizen science!

I’ve seen that when joining some of our Tiny Forest planting days in London and Coventry this year. Tiny Forests bring the benefits of woodlands into the heart of our cities and urban spaces: connecting people with nature, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change, as well as providing spaces to support wildlife. This is part of our wider Nature in Cities programmes alongside other nature-based solutions like wildflower meadows. We also focus on greening urban school grounds.

The bigger environmental picture may be depressing, but it’s at the small-scale where solutions and creativity spring up.

Left to right: Earthwatch CEO, Harry Barton, Mary Creagh, MP, and Councillor Khan at the Bell Green Road Tiny Forest planting day in Coventry

You can’t achieve a great deal working on your own, you need back-up from your colleagues or local community. And this is where I think Earthwatch Europe stands out, because we operate in the space where all three come together – environmental action, community and science.

How is the marathon training going? What do you like best / least about it?

Running is almost always a pleasure – even when it’s raining and miserable, because you don’t need any kit. I can disappear into the far-flung corners of Dartmoor and not see a soul. It’s getting harder as the days shorten and I have to run in the dark, but there’s something wonderful about the night sky on a clear night. There are days when you wake up, feel stiff as a board and limp round the puddle strewn country lanes as if someone’s poured lead into your shoes. But then there are other days when you see an incredibly beautiful sunrise and you feel you could run forever.

I’m slowly building up. Two hours, three hours. I pushed myself a bit over the weekend and now my quads are yelling at me. I need to be doing five-hour runs by March. The main challenge at my age – apart from finding the time – is to avoid getting injured. That can put you back weeks. Fingers crossed my knees and ankles will hold out until April!

How can people support you with your fundraising challenge?

I’ve got a target of £1,800 to raise by the marathon day, Sunday 26th of April. It’s for a great cause. It is true that many people are drawn to urgent campaigns and tangible actions like planting trees — which we proudly deliver through our pioneering Tiny Forests and other Nature in Cities programmes. However, to achieve lasting, systemic change, we need support for the essential, less-visible groundwork: the robust science and evidence-gathering that informs policy. The crucial community mobilisation that translates our data into effective local action. This science-led approach is the bedrock of our impact, and we cannot solve the Earth’s complex problems without it.

I encourage support through donations on my Enthuse fundraising page. This is how the funds will make a difference:

• £10 could buy vegetable plants for an urban school as part of Green Earth Schools.
• £25 could buy freshwater quality testing kits for our FreshWaterWatch volunteers.
• £50 could support our community monitoring events at our Tiny Forests.

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Inspired to take part?

Applications for the London Marathon 2026 are now closed. Contact our Fundraising Team today to register your interest for the London Marathon 2027 and join our team.

What we offer our fundraisers

• Personal support via email from our Fundraising Team
• Training tips from a qualified running coach
• Virtual meetings and exchange with other runners
• Free runners vest sent ahead of the event
• Cheerful support from Earthwatch staff members on the event day

Discover more ways you can support our environmental work.