This Motorcycle Racer is Running the London Marathon in His Leathers For His Late Son

Sylvain Guintoli will run the London Marathon in his racing leathers to raise money for PASIC, after losing his child to cancer.

By: Robbie Bacon

Dec 4, 2025 at 9:02am ET

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This story is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching. The name Sylvain Guintoli won't be new to MotoGP or WSBK fans, as he spent a couple of years in the premier class and clinched the WSBK Championship in 2014. Even now, at 43 years old, Guintoli shows no signs of stopping and signed with BMW Motorrad Motorsport as a test and development rider last year, and rumors are that he intends to represent the team in the Endurance World Championship.

Guintoli is a true racer, an excellent ambassador for the sport, and unfortunately, someone who went through one of the most painful experiences imaginable.

The Frenchman lost his 6-year-old son, Luca, last July to to malignant tumor, which he battled for about a year. During his fight with cancer, Guintoli said that the Pasic association, which helps children affected by cancer, was a great help to Luca. So, in honor of Luca's memory and to raise support for the PASIC association, Guintoli has taken on the challenge of running the next London Marathon in his leather racing suit.

Now, I've never run a marathon, but I have jogged in leathers for brief stints, and it sucks. It's not just the weight that makes things more difficult, but how awkward they are to even walk in, never mind run in. Add in the fact that they're not breathable unless you can run at around 100 mph, and you've got a nightmare marathon on your hands, so this will be a monumental physical and mental undertaking.

What do you think?

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Just check out Guintoli doing his first 10k run in the suit to get an idea of how difficult it is, and bear in mind he's a professional athlete.

He's already raised more than £17,000 ($22,682) and if you want to help push him over the line and reach his £20,000 target, follow this link and donate.