Palace for Life.
A 26-mile walk that brings Crystal Palace fans together for good.
Since 2018, WMP has partnered with the Palace for Life Foundation to deliver the Marathon March: an annual charity walk across South London in support of Crystal Palace FC's official charity, ending with a lap of the pitch at Selhurst Park.
Solutions
Sectors
Expertise
Background.
An event that needed to grow bigger and better every year.
WMP was tasked with enhancing the Marathon March year-on-year, for a charity walk that needed to keep fans coming back and giving more.
The Marathon March asks supporters to walk 26.2 miles across South London to raise vital funds for young people in the community. Our brief was to design routes that combine genuine challenge with an unforgettable day out, deliver the event safely at scale, and build in moments that would keep participants motivated to fundraise and return year after year.
The Solution.
An experience built to keep marchers coming back.
Designing routes that turn a challenge into an experience.
WMP designs a new route each year, taking in iconic London locations before finishing at Selhurst Park Stadium. In 2022, a refreshed route featured green open spaces and landmarks including the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, with surprise appearances from players along the way. A half-time "team talk" from manager Patrick Vieira added a moment marchers wouldn't forget, helping the event smash its fundraising goals. More recent editions have brought back club legends including Mark Bright, Andrew Johnson and Fliss Gibbons to walk alongside supporters, and a finish-line appearance from the FA Cup.
Delivering a 26-mile event safely, year after year.
Behind every march is a full events operation: venue and route management, licensing and permits, health and safety planning, and crisis management, medical and staffing cover across the whole route. WMP also leads on event branding, giving each year's march its own identity while staying recognisably part of the Marathon March.
Let's work together
Let's partner to create brand, product, and experience solutions that move people and markets.
The impact.
A memorable fundraiser for young people in South London.
Since WMP took the reins in 2018, the Marathon March has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the Palace for Life Foundation, including a new record of over £112,000 in 2025 – the event's best year yet.
