The London marathon is a hugely popular road marathon, held usually in April, that has been held every year since it’s first race in 1981. It is one of the top five marathons in the world, whilst also being a large sporting festival that raises huge amounts of money for charity. In 2006 the London marathon was the world’s largest annual fund raising event pulling in over £41.5 million for charity. Along with the Boston, Chicago, New York and Berlin marathons, the London marathon is one of the world marathon majors which is a 2 year series of elite marathon racing.

Olympic champion Chris Brasher and journalist John Disley founded the London marathon. It was after competing in the New York marathon in 1979 which inspired Chris Brasher to come up with the concept of the London marathon. Brasher and Disley made many trips to America to study the organisation and financing of big city marathons such as New York and Boston. After learning all, Brasher signed a £50000 sponsorship deal with Gillette and established charitable status. The first London marathon was held on 29 March 1982 with 6747 runners taking part and 6255 runners completing the course.

Nowadays the London marathon is organised by former world record holder at 10000m Dave Bedford as the race organiser and Nick Bitel as the chief executive. Between them they have  introduced a period of great change for the race including adjustments to the course.

The London marathon has large prize money which attracts the elite runners from all around the world who race seriously. But along with this the London marathon is also seen as a fun run and is dominated by club and fun runners who participate for their own goals and that of their perspective charities. There are many runners who actually run the course in fancy dress, celebrities who run for charity and there are crowds in excess of half a million people who line the streets to observe this spectacle. These days the race has over 30000 runners participating.

The London Marathon

 

 

The London marathon is regarded as very competitive and unpredictable usually run in fast times. The course is mostly flat run around the River Thames. It is the only marathon course in the world that is actually run in 2 hemispheres as the course crosses the Prime Meridian in Greenwich.

The start of the London marathon is at 3 points around Blackheath on the south of the River Thames. The 3 point starts converge after 3 miles in Woolwich. At the 6 mile point of the race the runners are greeted by the sight of the Cutty Sark in Greenwich. At the halfway point the runners cross Tower Bridge. Going east they then enter the Isle of Dogs before reaching Canary Wharf.

The final third of the race the competitors pass St Paul’s Cathedral, Nelson’s Column at Trafalgar Square before finishing in Birdcage Walk where Big Ben and Buckingham Palace can be seen.

 

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