Chariots of Fire 2026: supporting life-saving heart research

Every year, Chariots of Fire brings people together to run, volunteer and fundraise in Cambridge. Now in its 34th year, it’s one of the region’s few fully road-closed relay events, giving participants a rare chance to run through the historic grounds of several University of Cambridge colleges.

While race day is a celebration of teamwork and community spirit, the impact of Chariots of Fire goes far beyond the finish line.

In 2026, funds raised through the event will support British Heart Foundation-funded research that’s driving medical breakthroughs and saving lives in Cambridgeshire and across the UK.

This year’s fundraising will directly benefit three research projects at the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute (VPD-HLRI) in Cambridge. The VPD-HLRI is a state-of-the-art facility where scientists and clinicians work together to accelerate advances in heart and lung health, with the British Heart Foundation as a founding partner.

Together, these projects aim to:

• Advance understanding of inherited heart conditions
• Help prevent congenital heart defects in babies
• Develop better ways to protect the heart and improve recovery after a heart attack.

By turning scientific discovery into practical treatments, British Heart Foundation‑funded research is transforming how heart and circulatory conditions are diagnosed, monitored and treated. From earlier intervention to smarter technology and long-term investment in researchers, fundraising continues to improve outcomes for patients at every stage of care.

Below are just a few examples of how this research is changing lives.

Predicting heart failure years earlier

British Heart Foundation-funded researchers at the University of Oxford have developed a pioneering AI tool that can predict heart failure at least five years before symptoms appear.

By analysing subtle changes in the fat surrounding the heart on routine CT scans, the tool can identify early warning signs that are invisible to the human eye. Earlier diagnosis allows earlier treatment, improving outcomes for patients and easing pressure on NHS services.

Investing in the next generation of researchers

In March 2026, the British Heart Foundation committed £28m to a refreshed PhD programme, supporting more than 100 early-career researchers between 2026 and 2029.

Led by universities including Cambridge and Oxford, the programme focuses on prevention, data-driven diagnosis and better treatments for heart and circulatory disease. This long-term investment in researchers at the start of their careers helps ensure that today’s fundraising supports tomorrow’s breakthroughs.

Wearable technology to uncover hidden conditions

British Heart Foundation funding is also supporting innovative research at Imperial College London into a smart T‑shirt embedded with sensors and AI.

Designed for everyday wear, the technology could help detect rare and inherited heart rhythm conditions that are often missed by standard tests. Longer, more comfortable monitoring could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment, particularly for young people and families at risk of sudden cardiac events.

Help fund life-changing research

Whether through running, walking, volunteering or fundraising, taking part in Chariots of Fire helps support vital heart research that’s improving diagnosis, treatment and survival for people living with heart and circulatory conditions.

The event is run as a six-person relay, with each participant completing a two-mile leg before handing over to the next runner. Teams can enter a range of categories, including male, female, mixed, veteran and college.

Race day centres around an event village on Queens’ Green, with food, drink and entertainment creating a focal point for runners, supporters and spectators throughout the day. To enter or find out more, visit the Chariots of Fire website.