Pair charged over 2025 London Marathon disruption

Two people accused of disrupting last year’s London Marathon have been charged following an investigation by the Met’s Public Order Crime Team.

Just after 10:30hrs on Sunday, 27 April 2025, as the elite male runners were crossing Tower Bridge, two people jumped over the barriers and entered the course throwing red powder paint onto the road.

Marathon staff and police officers intervened and the two were arrested. They have now been charged with causing a public nuisance and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 15 May.

They are:

Cristy North, 38 (05.08.87) of Castle Marina Road, Nottingham.

Ivan Holland, 19 (28/05/06) of Ashley Park, Bristol.

The 2026 London Marathon takes place this Sunday (26 April).

Commander Nick John, who is leading the policing operation, said: “Planning for this year’s event began almost as soon as last year’s finished. 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 tyring to get onto the course to cause disruption. Anyone who does so can expect to be arrested, investigated and prosecuted.”