You may know that there are going to be Major League Baseball games in London this weekend. What you may not now is they’re also going to have a mascot race. The contestants seem pretty random, so why don’t we pick a better set?
My thought, since we’ve already got Churchill in, why not Lloyd George/Disraeli/Thatcher?
Every race needs a dark horse to root against. How about some of the more villainous monarchs? John, Richard III, Bloody Mary, and crypto-fascist Edward VIII?
Jack the Ripper
Cardinal Fang.
If they’re going to have to be recognizable mascot costumes, how about…
Henry VIII (as painted by Holbein), Boy George, Sherlock Holmes and Queen Victoria.
Jean Shrimpton, icon of Swinging London
Samuel Pepys, bearing the cheese he buried to save it from the Great Fire
The Krays* (villains)
Boudicca (as she burned London down, also a villain)
Dick Whittington and/or his Cat
There are of course loads of people who achieved great things and were born in/lived in London, but it’s harder to find people whose greatness consists of achievements for or in London - and who are recognisable. Churchill was in London when he was in government, obviously, but his achievements were for the whole UK. Harry Beck is responsible for the iconic tube map, but how would you recognise him?
Of course, mascots aren’t necessarily human, so you could have a tube train.
*in two minds about this, as they are undeniably iconic but also basically witless thugs with good PR who don’t need more glorification.
Pantomime Princess Margaret.
How about a TfL sign? Shouldn’t be hard to construct a circle and bar to strap on a runner.
They could run Charles I and have him win by a head.
Unexpectedly, he’s Spanish (and played by an American).
If you’re going to pick a Python character, surely the Minister of Silly Runs should be in the running. Or one of the Upper Class Twits.
Harry Potter, Frodo, Alice, and Mickey Mouse.
Shakespeare - not born in London but spent most of his time here, and easy to recognise.
Same for Dickens
David Bowie would be a good relatively modern one
Queen Victoria
Charlie Chaplin
Elizabeth I
Elizabeth II - even though I’m not sure about including anyone still living, it would be amusing to see someone run dressed as her
Thatcher was already suggested in the OP.