Two charged over disruption at last year's London Marathon
Pair from Nottingham and Bristol appear in court
Last updated 23rd Apr 2026
Two people have been charged after red powder paint was allegedly thrown on to the course at last year’s London Marathon.
The elite male runners were crossing Tower Bridge just after 10.30am on 27 April 2025, when two people jumped over the barriers and threw red powder paint onto the road, the Metropolitan Police said.
On Thursday, Cristy North, 38, of Nottingham, and Ivan Holland, 19, of Bristol, were charged with causing a public nuisance.
The pair are to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on May 15.
It comes as final preparations are under way for this year’s London Marathon which takes place on Sunday.
Commander Nick John, who is leading the policing operation, said: “We’ve been working closely with the organisers and our partners to make sure the thousands of runners who have put so much into their training and preparation can have a day to remember for the right reasons.
“The safety and security of not just participants but also spectators is our top priority.
“Measures are in place to identify and intervene against anyone trying to get onto the course to cause disruption.
“Anyone who does so can expect to be arrested, investigated and prosecuted.”