But it may surprise some that when it comes to general participants of running events in the UK, diversity levels among them is woefully low.

The London Marathon is the largest marathon event in the UK, with more than 40,000 people taking part in 2022.

However, 83% of participants were white, and only 1.18% of participants were from a black background.

This is up from 93% white in 2021, but for Hamid Vaghefian, head of community engagement at London Marathon, this isn't enough.

"When you look at races around the UK, they are not reflecting the diversity of their communities," he said.

"We at the London Marathon events want the marathon itself to reflect London."

When asked what the barriers currently are, he said: "The obvious thing is cost, access and motivation.

"For people starting out, unless you know someone who is a runner, you are less likely to take part yourself."

It was for this very reason that Trojan Gordan, 50, set up the Emancipated Run Crew (ERC).

Mr Gordan explained when he first did the London Marathon back in 2021, he remembered going to the starting pen, looking around and finding "a sea of white people".

"I was really nervous and anxious, because I knew what I was about to do, and at the same time I felt really alone."

What started off as a WhatsApp group back in 2014 with a handful of other runners has now grown into a group that travels internationally to participate in running events, and more of them than ever will be going to the London Marathon this year.

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When asked why this was so important for Mr Gordan, he said for him, "just turning up helps to change the narrative".

The narrative he is referring to is what he describes as the negative connotations associated with "running whilst black".

Mr Gordan says as a black man or woman, there is usually a suspicion.

"The thing is, I am a 6ft black man with dreadlocks and when I run, I have to signal to other people that they are safe. I have to make sure they feel safe, and also, that they don't perceive me as a threat."

To illustrate his point, he then shared a story about a time he was running outside his house in low light, when a neighbour came out of his property to approach him and ask him why he was near his car.

He didn't share this story to complain about racism, rather for him, it's about "having diverse representation" so that everyone feels welcomed.

Mr Gordan will be running the London Marathon for the second time this year along with 15 others in the ERC.

Carol Johnson, 58, will be joining him on the start line for the very first time.

Ms Johnson has been running since 2017 and was a member of her local running team in Croydon before finding the ERC on Instagram.

While she enjoyed running in this group, she said it was rare to see anyone else that looked like her, adding that at some meetings "there were over 700 runners, but none that looked like me".

She explained that for her "it's not a problem as such, I would put myself where I need to be".

But Ms Johnson acknowledged that for others "it can be discouraging".

She said this is why the ERC is so important: "The level of encouragement we give to others! We all need to be like that, to each other."

Mr Vaghefian said "changing the face of running in London is at the heart of the London Marathon's strategy" and it is important for him that the narrative that "running is for a certain type of people" changes.

He has been working directly with community groups to encourage more participation in smaller events at shorter distances, with the view those people will eventually take on the marathon.

But he said the industry as a whole needs to improve, by providing "more opportunities to work with organisations".

"It's about investing in the grassroots infrastructure. Without that, without the support people get on a weekly basis, they will never take part in marathons.

"Our events should reflect and represent the communities in all ways."