- Guintoli completed the marathon in 3 hours, 47 minutes and 47 seconds wearing a full racing leather suit
- The fundraising total exceeded the original goal of 50,000 pounds by several times over
- Luca’s favourite character Sonic the Hedgehog adorned the custom-made RST leather suit
On Sunday, April 27, 2026, Sylvain Guintoli took on a challenge that was extraordinary even for an experienced endurance racer. The 43-year-old Frenchman ran the 42.2 kilometres of the London Marathon not in lightweight sportswear but in a complete one-piece motorcycle racing leather suit. What might seem like a crazy idea at first glance has a deeply personal background: Guintoli was running for his son Luca, who had passed away from cancer in July 2025 at the age of just six.
A Marathon in Memory of Luca
Luca Guintoli had been diagnosed with cancer approximately one year before his death and subsequently had to undergo the most aggressive treatments available. The Guintoli family was supported during this difficult time by the British charity PASIC, which specialises in caring for children with cancer and their families in the East Midlands. The organisation Young Lives vs Cancer also stood by the family.
When Luca was diagnosed, everything changed for us,” Guintoli said ahead of the event in an interview with Crash.net. “There are some incredible organisations that support children with cancer and their families, and PASIC was there for us from the start. They are still helping us.”
The desire to give something back arose from the family’s deep gratitude towards the support organisations. Guintoli described his motivation as wanting to create something that felt meaningful, difficult and symbolic. The idea of running the marathon in racing leather combines all three aspects in an impressive way.
The Guintoli Family Runs Together
Originally only two race entries were available for the marathon, and it was Guintoli’s daughters Alicia (20) and Layla (18) who immediately signed up. Both wanted to run for Luca and raise money for PASIC and Young Lives vs Cancer. When PASIC was able to offer another entry, Guintoli did not hesitate.
“I’ve never run a marathon – I normally cycle more for training – but it’s a fantastic cause, so I jumped at the chance,” he told Crash.net.
Speaking to MCN, he openly admitted that he is not a runner and has enormous respect for the distance. “You see people like running marathons everywhere on social media. So, it’s almost becoming like a normalised thing, but running a marathon is not normal. It’s a long bloody way, isn’t it?”
A Leather Suit for Sonic and Luca
Guintoli’s marathon gear was anything but ordinary. British manufacturer RST, for whom Guintoli has ridden for a long time, produced a custom-made one-piece leather suit. The design was a tribute to Luca’s favourite character Sonic the Hedgehog, which adorned the suit in striking blue. The PASIC logo was also prominently placed.
“The story with Sonic is that Luca’s favourite character was Sonic. He was completely obsessed with it. Sonic can run fast as well so it’s going to be great for the London Marathon,” Guintoli explained in a social media video.
To reduce the strain of running somewhat, the suit was modified. The airbag system was removed and the material was partially perforated. Nevertheless, it remained a complete racing suit that was worn over the entire distance. Guintoli emphasised that running in leather is anything but a normal sporting activity. Companies could also participate as sponsors of the campaign and received a patch on the suit in return.
3 Hours, 47 Minutes and 47 Seconds in Racing Leather
On marathon day in London, temperatures were high, which made running in the heavy, heat-retaining leather suit even more difficult. Guintoli crossed the finish line after 3 hours, 47 minutes and 47 seconds. He set an unofficial record for a runner in a motorcycle leather suit while also staying under his self-imposed target of four hours.
In a brief video message during TNT’s broadcast of the Spanish Grand Prix, Guintoli spoke immediately after the run: “Hello guys. That’s it. The London marathon is wrapped up. I got my medal. I did it under four hours as well. I’m so happy. It was so hot, though. It was absolutely dehydrating.”
Guintoli said the atmosphere had been incredible and thanked all donors and the TNT team. “The fundraiser has gone absolutely mental, and it’s going to make such a difference for children with cancer,” he added.
Fundraising Goal Exceeded by Several Times Over
The response to Guintoli’s campaign far exceeded all expectations. The original target of 50,000 pounds (approximately 57,750 euros / 67,500 US dollars) was surpassed by several times over. By the time of the marathon, the fundraiser had already brought in over 140,000 pounds (approximately 161,700 euros / 189,000 US dollars). According to the French motorsport portal AutoHebdo, the total may have even exceeded 158,000 euros.
Numerous MotoGP riders supported the fundraiser, including through joint activities at the first Grands Prix of the 2026 season. Before the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in which Guintoli himself competed, he also organised a special race on the Bugatti Circuit where all participating riders competed in their racing leathers.
It was not the first time that Guintoli and those around him had raised funds for the fight against childhood cancer. He had previously auctioned off old racing equipment and raised thousands of pounds. A special racing helmet worn by Jake Dixon at the 2025 British Grand Prix alone raised 60,370 pounds (approximately 69,727 euros / 81,500 US dollars) for various organisations.
A Racer of Many Facets
Sylvain Guintoli can look back on an impressive career in motorcycle racing. In 2014, the Frenchman from Montélimar won the Superbike World Championship with Aprilia. In 2021, the Endurance World Championship title followed with Suzuki. Alongside his active racing career, Guintoli has worked as a test rider, including for BMW. In the 2025 season, he raced in the Endurance World Championship while simultaneously working as an expert for TNT Sports on MotoGP broadcasts.
In 2026, Guintoli remains active in both worlds. He competes in the Endurance World Championship for the Japan AutoRace Ube Racing Team and continues to work as a MotoGP expert for TNT Sports. Just one week before the London Marathon, he had finished fifth at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Guintoli drew his comparison between the marathon and motorcycle endurance racing before the run: “I suppose it’s going to be a bit like endurance racing, you know, you just keep going and you’re exhausted, but you just don’t give up. And instead of doing it for my team when I’m racing, I’ll be doing it for my son and for the charity.”
Speaking about Luca to MCN, he said: “[Luca] was unbelievable. He never complained. He was so brave and so resilient. So, I suppose doing this is, it’s also like celebrating him in a way.”
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why did Sylvain Guintoli run the London Marathon in a leather suit?
Guintoli completed the 2026 London Marathon in a full motorcycle racing leather suit to raise funds for the children’s cancer charity PASIC in memory of his late son Luca. The suit was custom-made by RST and featured a Sonic the Hedgehog design because Sonic was Luca’s favourite character.
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How much money did Guintoli raise at the London Marathon?
The fundraiser brought in over 140,000 pounds (approximately 161,700 euros / 189,000 US dollars), far exceeding the original goal of 50,000 pounds. According to some sources, the total may have exceeded 158,000 euros.
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What was Sylvain Guintoli’s time at the 2026 London Marathon?
Guintoli finished the London Marathon in 3 hours, 47 minutes and 47 seconds. He stayed under his self-imposed target of four hours and set an unofficial record for a runner in a motorcycle racing leather suit.
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What is PASIC and what does the organisation do?
PASIC is a British charity based in the East Midlands that provides practical, financial and emotional support to children with cancer and their families. The organisation supported the Guintoli family from the very beginning of Luca’s cancer treatment.
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