- London Marathon 2026 in full leather suit
- Charity run in aid of the children’s cancer organization PASIC
- Running together with his daughters Alicia and Layla
After the loss of his son Luca, who died of cancer in 2025 at the age of six, Sylvain Guintoli sought a way to give something back to the organizations that supported him. The former Superbike World Champion, MotoGP rider, and current BMW test rider is therefore planning to complete the 42.2 km of the 2026 London Marathon in racing leather, raising money for children’s cancer charities. He will be supported by his daughters Alicia and Layla, who will also be taking part.
An unusual marathon for a personal mission
Participating in the marathon is a very personal project for Guintoli. After Lucas’ diagnosis, many things changed abruptly for the family. Various organizations stood by them, in particular PASIC, which supports families with children suffering from cancer. The help ranged from practical support to emotional guidance, and according to Guintoli, these services are still felt today.
The spontaneous decision to participate in the marathon himself came about after only two starting places were originally available for his daughters. When another starting number became available, the 43-year-old decided to run as well and take on the challenge, even though he says he is not a runner.
Training, leather suit, and a long road
Guintoli will complete the run in a specially designed leather suit dedicated to both his son and the organization he supports. Parts such as the airbag will be removed and the material partially perforated to reduce the strain somewhat. Nevertheless, it remains a complete racing suit that will be worn over the entire distance.
He emphasizes that running in leather is far from a normal sporting activity. Despite his experience in endurance racing, the marathon distance is a special challenge. He compares it to the toughest moments of a long-distance race, when riders have to get back on their bikes in the middle of the night in low temperatures. The mental strength he has gained from racing will now also help him in the marathon.
A shared journey through winter
Guintoli has been training for the event for months together with his daughters. Most of the preparation takes place in winter, with the aim of reaching the necessary performance level by the end of April. The run is not only intended to raise funds, but also to be part of the family’s personal healing process.
The daughters knew early on that they wanted to run for Luca. Guintoli later joined them to also make a visible sign of gratitude. In addition to PASIC, the campaign also supports organizations such as Young Lives vs Cancer.
Fundraiser and call for support
Companies and individuals can participate in the campaign. Companies have the opportunity to contact us via Instagram and receive a place on the final leather suit as a supporter. Donations can also be made directly via the platform set up for this purpose.
Guintoli sees the run as a kind of tribute to Luca, whom he describes as incredibly brave and resilient. For him, the marathon is a way to honor this strength and at the same time help other families in similar situations.
To the fundraising campaign: https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/sylvain-guintoli
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