London Marathon
Encyclopedia
The London Marathon is one of the biggest running events in the world, and one of the five top world marathon
s that make up the World Marathon Majors
competition, which has a $1 million prize purse. It has been held each spring in London
since 1981. The race is currently sponsored by Virgin Money, as the Virgin London Marathon. The 31st London Marathon took place on 17 April 2011.
The race was founded by the former Olympic champion and journalist Chris Brasher
and Welsh athlete John Disley
. It is organised by former 10,000m world record holder David Bedford
as Race Director and Nick Bitel as Chief Executive. Set over a largely flat course around the River Thames
, the race begins at three separate points around Blackheath
and finishes in The Mall alongside St. James's Park
. Since the first marathon, the course has undergone very few route changes. In 1982, the finishing post was moved from Constitution Hill
to Westminster Bridge
due to construction works. It remained there for twelve years before moving to its present location at The Mall.
In addition to being one of the top five international marathons run over the traditional distance of 42.195 km (26 miles and 385 yards), the London Marathon is also a large, celebratory sporting festival, second only to the Great North Run
in Newcastle
, in terms of the number of participants. The event has raised over £450 million for charity since 1981, and holds the Guinness world record as the largest annual fund raising event in the world, with the 2009 participants raising over £47.2 million for charity. In 2007, 78% of all runners raised money. In 2011 the official charity of the London Marathon is Oxfam
.
Marathons have been run each year in London since the founding of the Polytechnic Marathon
in 1909. By 1996 this series had been eclipsed by the Flora London Marathon and the 'Poly' folded.
The current London Marathon was founded by the former Olympic champion and renowned journalist Chris Brasher
and Welsh athlete John Disley
. In November 1979, shortly after completing the New York Marathon, Brasher wrote an article for The Observer
newspaper which began:
"To believe this story you must believe that the human race be one joyous family, working together, laughing together, achieving the impossible. Last Sunday, in one of the most trouble-stricken cities in the world, 11,532 men and women from 40 countries in the world, assisted by over a million black, white and yellow people, laughed, cheered and suffered during the greatest folk festival the world has seen."
Inspired by the people of New York coming together for this occasion, he went on to question;
"...whether London could stage such a festival?"
In 1980, Brasher and Disley made trips to America to study the organisation and finance of big city marathons such as the New York and Boston
Marathons. Brasher signed a contract with Gillette for £50,000, established charitable status and outlined six main aims in the hope to mirror the scenes he witnessed in New York and establish the United Kingdom on the map as a country capable of arranging major events. The London Marathon was born.
The first London Marathon was held on 29 March 1981, more than 20,000 applied to run. 6,747 were accepted and 6,255 crossed the finish line on Constitution Hill. The Marathon's popularity has steadily grown since then. As at 2009, 746,635 people have completed the race since its inception. In 2010, 36,549 people crossed the line, the biggest field since the race began.
The first wheelchair marathon race was held in 1983 and the event was credited with reducing the stigma surrounding disabled athletes.
in 2007.
In 2002, Lloyd Scott
completed the marathon wearing a deep sea diving suit that weighed a total of 110 lb (49.9 kg), with each shoe weighing 24 lb (10.9 kg); he also set a world record for the slowest ever marathon time. On 19 April 2003, former boxer Michael Watson
, who had been told he would never be able to walk again after a fight with Chris Eubank
, made headlines by finishing the marathon in six days, becoming a national hero in England. In 2006, Sir Steve Redgrave
(winner of five consecutive Olympic gold medals) set a new Guinness World Record for money raised through a marathon by collecting £1.8 million in sponsorship. This broke the record set the previous year by the founder of the Oasis Trust
, Steve Chalke
MBE, who had collected over £1.25 million. Steve Chalke recovered the record in 2007, raising £1.86 million. In 2011 Chalke broke the record for a third time, raising a staggering £2.32 million.
A small number of runners, known as the "Ever Presents", have completed each of the London Marathons since 1981. By 2010 their number had shrunk to 20. As of 2010, the oldest runners amongst them are 75 year old Kenneth Jones and Jeffrey Gordon, whilst the youngest runner is 50-year-old ultra-runner and father of 3 Chris Finill. They are all male.
, and spanning 42.195 kilometres (26 miles and 385 yard
s), the London Marathon is generally regarded as a very competitive and unpredictable event, and conducive to fast times.
The route has markers at one mile and at five kilometre intervals. Although the race publicity (athlete advice, timing charts and so on) is mile-oriented, the individual timing splits that are available to competitors after the event are kilometre-oriented.
The course begins at three separate points around Blackheath
at 35 m (114.8 ft) above sea level, on the south of the River Thames, and heads east through Charlton
. The three courses converge after 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi) in Woolwich
, close to the Royal Artillery Barracks
.
As the runners reach the 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), they pass by the Old Royal Naval College
and head towards Cutty Sark
drydocked in Greenwich
. Heading next into Surrey Quays
in the Docklands, and out towards Bermondsey
, competitors race along Jamaica Road before reaching the half-way point as they cross the Tower Bridge
. Running east again along The Highway
through Wapping
, competitors head up towards Limehouse
and into Mudchute
in the Isle of Dogs
via Westferry Road, before heading into Canary Wharf
.
As the route leads away from Canary Wharf into Poplar
, competitors run west down Poplar High Street back towards Limehouse and on through Commercial Road
. They then move back onto The Highway, onto Lower and Upper Thames Streets.. Heading into the final leg of the race, competitors pass St Paul's Cathedral
on Ludgate Hill
. In the penultimate mile along The Embankment
, the London Eye
comes into view, before the athletes turn right into Birdcage Walk
to complete the final 352 metres (385 yd), catching the sights of Big Ben and Buckingham Palace
, and finishing in The Mall alongside St. James's Palace
. This final section of the route will form part of the 2012 Olympic Marathon Course
.
Since the first marathon, the course has undergone very few route changes. In 1982, the finishing post was moved from Constitution Hill
to Westminster Bridge
due to construction works. It remained there for twelve years before moving to its present location at The Mall. In 2005, the route around the Isle of Dogs
between 22 and 34 km (13.7 and 21.1 mi) was switched from a clockwise to an anti-clockwise direction, and at 35 kilometres (21.7 mi) the route was diverted to avoid the cobblestone
d area near the Tower of London
. In 2008, a suspected gas leak at a pub in Wapping diverted the course, but in 2009 the race followed the same path as in 2007.
d between American Dick Beardsley
and Norwegian Inge Simonsen
, who crossed the finish line holding hands in 2 hours, 11 minutes, 48 seconds. The first Women's Elite Race was won by Briton Joyce Smith
in 2:29:57. In 1983, the first wheelchair race
s took place. Organized by the British Sports Association for the Disabled
(BASD), 19 people competed and 17 finished. Gordon Perry
of the United Kingdom won the Men's Wheelchair Race, coming in at 3:20:07, and Denise Smith
, also of the UK, won the Women's Wheelchair Race in 4:29:03.
World records for marathon running have been set four times. Khalid Khannouchi
, representing the United States, set the men's world record in 2:05:38 in 2002. The following year, British runner Paula Radcliffe
set the women's world record in 2:15:25 (later downgraded to "world best" by the IAAF as it was achieved in a mixed race). Radcliffe's time also stands as the current course record in the Women's Elite Race: this followed women's records set in 1983 and 1985 by Grete Waitz
and Ingrid Kristiansen
respectively, both of Norway. The current men's course record is 2:04:40, set by Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai in the 2011 edition. Kurt Fearnley
of Australia set the Men's Wheelchair Race course record at 1:28:57 in 2009, and the Women's equivalent was set by American athlete Amanda McGrory
in 2011, with 1:46:30.
In October 2010 Aubrey Books published The Official Register of London Marathon Runners 2001–2010, a book which lists everyone who ran the marathons between the years in the title and their times.
and Virgin Money
. The original sponsors were Gillette who sponsored the event from 1981 to 1983. The other sponsors have been Mars (1984–1988), ADT
(1989–1992), NutraSweet
(1993–1995), and Flora
(1996–2009). A number of other companies and organisations also use the event for brand
identification and marketing
, including Adidas
, Lucozade Sport, and Fuller's Brewery.
as Race Director and Nick Bitel as Chief Executive. Bedford and Bitel have overseen a period of great change for the race, including amendments to the course in 2005 which saw the famous cobbled section by the Tower of London
replaced with a flat stretch along the Highway.
Dr Dan Tunstall-Pedoe, was the medical director of the London Marathon for 25 years between the first one in 1981 until 2005. In 2003, Dr Tunstall-Pedoe was shadowed by Professor Sanjay Sharma from St George's University of London was took over the role in its entirety in 2006. Medical cover is provided by 150 highly experienced doctors in internal medicine, intensive care, sports medicine, orthopaedics and anaesthetics. The doctors are assisted by more than 1,500 volunteers of St. John Ambulance
, who organise over 50 first aid posts along the route, and three field hospitals at the finish. St John Ambulance also provide a large number of Healthcare Professionals for the event, including a vast number of Nurses and Paramedics. They also provide a large number of Ambulances and Ambulance Crews for use at the event and also across London to support the NHS Ambulance Service.
The BBC
covers the event, devoting rolling coverage for most of the morning. The theme music associated with this coverage, and with the event itself, is called Main Titles to The Trap, composed by Ron Goodwin
for the film The Trap
.
. There is also a Mini Wheelchair race on the day.
Marathon
The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres , that is usually run as a road race...
s that make up the World Marathon Majors
World Marathon Majors
The World Marathon Majors is a championship-style competition for marathon runners that started in 2006. It comprises five annual races for the cities of Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, and New York City. Two other races are also included in the series: the IAAF World Championships Marathon and...
competition, which has a $1 million prize purse. It has been held each spring in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
since 1981. The race is currently sponsored by Virgin Money, as the Virgin London Marathon. The 31st London Marathon took place on 17 April 2011.
The race was founded by the former Olympic champion and journalist Chris Brasher
Chris Brasher
Christopher William "Chris" Brasher CBE was a British athlete, sports journalist and co-founder of the London Marathon.-History:...
and Welsh athlete John Disley
John Disley
John Ivor Disley is a former Welsh athlete who competed mainly in the 3000 metres steeple chase. He was born in Corris, a village in Gwynedd...
. It is organised by former 10,000m world record holder David Bedford
David Bedford (athlete)
David Colin Bedford is an English former long distance runner, a colourful character whose career spanned the early 1970s. He is now race director of the London Marathon, and a representative for UK Athletics on the IAAF Road Running Committee.Bedford held the world record at 10,000m, improving it...
as Race Director and Nick Bitel as Chief Executive. Set over a largely flat course around the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
, the race begins at three separate points around Blackheath
Blackheath, London
Blackheath is a district of South London, England. It is named from the large open public grassland which separates it from Greenwich to the north and Lewisham to the west...
and finishes in The Mall alongside St. James's Park
St. James's Park
St. James's Park is a 23 hectare park in the City of Westminster, central London - the oldest of the Royal Parks of London. The park lies at the southernmost tip of the St. James's area, which was named after a leper hospital dedicated to St. James the Less.- Geographical location :St. James's...
. Since the first marathon, the course has undergone very few route changes. In 1982, the finishing post was moved from Constitution Hill
Constitution Hill, London
Constitution Hill is a road in the City of Westminster in London. It connects the western end of The Mall with Hyde Park Corner, and is bordered by Buckingham Palace Gardens and Green Park. The term "Hill" is something of a misnomer; there is barely detectable slope but most observers would...
to Westminster Bridge
Westminster Bridge
Westminster Bridge is a road and foot traffic bridge over the River Thames between Westminster on the north side and Lambeth on the south side, in London, England....
due to construction works. It remained there for twelve years before moving to its present location at The Mall.
In addition to being one of the top five international marathons run over the traditional distance of 42.195 km (26 miles and 385 yards), the London Marathon is also a large, celebratory sporting festival, second only to the Great North Run
Great North Run
The Bupa Great North Run is the world's largest half marathon, taking place annually each September. Participants run between Newcastle upon Tyne and South Shields in England. The run was devised by former Olympic 10,000 m bronze medallist and BBC Sport commentator Brendan Foster.The first Great...
in Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, in terms of the number of participants. The event has raised over £450 million for charity since 1981, and holds the Guinness world record as the largest annual fund raising event in the world, with the 2009 participants raising over £47.2 million for charity. In 2007, 78% of all runners raised money. In 2011 the official charity of the London Marathon is Oxfam
Oxfam
Oxfam is an international confederation of 15 organizations working in 98 countries worldwide to find lasting solutions to poverty and related injustice around the world. In all Oxfam’s actions, the ultimate goal is to enable people to exercise their rights and manage their own lives...
.
History
Polytechnic Marathon
The Polytechnic Marathon, often called the Poly, was a marathon held annually between 1909 and 1996, over various courses in or near London. It was the first marathon to be run regularly over the distance of 26 miles, 385 yards which is now the global standard...
in 1909. By 1996 this series had been eclipsed by the Flora London Marathon and the 'Poly' folded.
The current London Marathon was founded by the former Olympic champion and renowned journalist Chris Brasher
Chris Brasher
Christopher William "Chris" Brasher CBE was a British athlete, sports journalist and co-founder of the London Marathon.-History:...
and Welsh athlete John Disley
John Disley
John Ivor Disley is a former Welsh athlete who competed mainly in the 3000 metres steeple chase. He was born in Corris, a village in Gwynedd...
. In November 1979, shortly after completing the New York Marathon, Brasher wrote an article for The Observer
The Observer
The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
newspaper which began:
"To believe this story you must believe that the human race be one joyous family, working together, laughing together, achieving the impossible. Last Sunday, in one of the most trouble-stricken cities in the world, 11,532 men and women from 40 countries in the world, assisted by over a million black, white and yellow people, laughed, cheered and suffered during the greatest folk festival the world has seen."
Inspired by the people of New York coming together for this occasion, he went on to question;
"...whether London could stage such a festival?"
In 1980, Brasher and Disley made trips to America to study the organisation and finance of big city marathons such as the New York and Boston
Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon is an annual marathon hosted by the U.S. city of Boston, Massachusetts, on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April. Begun in 1897 and inspired by the success of the first modern-day marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics, the Boston Marathon is the world's oldest...
Marathons. Brasher signed a contract with Gillette for £50,000, established charitable status and outlined six main aims in the hope to mirror the scenes he witnessed in New York and establish the United Kingdom on the map as a country capable of arranging major events. The London Marathon was born.
The first London Marathon was held on 29 March 1981, more than 20,000 applied to run. 6,747 were accepted and 6,255 crossed the finish line on Constitution Hill. The Marathon's popularity has steadily grown since then. As at 2009, 746,635 people have completed the race since its inception. In 2010, 36,549 people crossed the line, the biggest field since the race began.
The first wheelchair marathon race was held in 1983 and the event was credited with reducing the stigma surrounding disabled athletes.
Fundraising
Whilst it is a serious athletic event, with large prize money attracting elite athletes, public perception of the race is dominated by club and fun runners, the latter sometimes in ludicrous fancy dress and often collecting money for charity. These make up the bulk of the 30,000+ runners and help to draw crowds of half a million on the streets. Nine people have died in relation to running the London Marathon since the event began, with the most recent being a 22-year-old man who died of hyponatremiaHyponatremia
Hyponatremia is an electrolyte disturbance in which the sodium concentration in the serum is lower than normal. In the vast majority of cases, hyponatremia occurs as a result of excess body water diluting the serum sodium and is not due to sodium deficiency. Sodium is the dominant extracellular...
in 2007.
In 2002, Lloyd Scott
Lloyd Scott
Lloyd Scott, MBE is an English former professional football goalkeeper and now charity fundraiser, best known in the UK for his charity marathons. He is notable for competing in the 2002 London Marathon in a deep-sea diving costume during which he broke the world record for slowest marathon time...
completed the marathon wearing a deep sea diving suit that weighed a total of 110 lb (49.9 kg), with each shoe weighing 24 lb (10.9 kg); he also set a world record for the slowest ever marathon time. On 19 April 2003, former boxer Michael Watson
Michael Watson
Michael Watson, MBE is a retired British boxer whose career ended prematurely as a result of near-fatal injury sustained in a WBO super-middleweight title fight defeat by Chris Eubank in September 1991....
, who had been told he would never be able to walk again after a fight with Chris Eubank
Chris Eubank
Chris Eubank, Lord of the Manor of Brighton is a retired British boxer who held world titles at middleweight and super middleweight...
, made headlines by finishing the marathon in six days, becoming a national hero in England. In 2006, Sir Steve Redgrave
Steve Redgrave
Sir Steven Geoffrey Redgrave CBE is an English rower who won gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games from 1984 to 2000. He has also won three Commonwealth Games gold medals and nine World Rowing Championships gold medals...
(winner of five consecutive Olympic gold medals) set a new Guinness World Record for money raised through a marathon by collecting £1.8 million in sponsorship. This broke the record set the previous year by the founder of the Oasis Trust
Oasis Trust
Oasis Trust is a UK-based Christian registered charity. It was founded by Rev Steve Chalke in August 1985, who had been assistant minister at Tonbridge Baptist Church, Kent, for four years...
, Steve Chalke
Steve Chalke
Steve Chalke, is an ordained Baptist minister who is a prominent, and often outspoken, Christian leader and social activist based in the UK. He is the author of numerous books and articles as well as a regular presenter and contributor on television and radio programmes...
MBE, who had collected over £1.25 million. Steve Chalke recovered the record in 2007, raising £1.86 million. In 2011 Chalke broke the record for a third time, raising a staggering £2.32 million.
A small number of runners, known as the "Ever Presents", have completed each of the London Marathons since 1981. By 2010 their number had shrunk to 20. As of 2010, the oldest runners amongst them are 75 year old Kenneth Jones and Jeffrey Gordon, whilst the youngest runner is 50-year-old ultra-runner and father of 3 Chris Finill. They are all male.
The course
Set over a largely flat course around the River ThamesRiver Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
, and spanning 42.195 kilometres (26 miles and 385 yard
Yard
A yard is a unit of length in several different systems including English units, Imperial units and United States customary units. It is equal to 3 feet or 36 inches...
s), the London Marathon is generally regarded as a very competitive and unpredictable event, and conducive to fast times.
The route has markers at one mile and at five kilometre intervals. Although the race publicity (athlete advice, timing charts and so on) is mile-oriented, the individual timing splits that are available to competitors after the event are kilometre-oriented.
The course begins at three separate points around Blackheath
Blackheath, London
Blackheath is a district of South London, England. It is named from the large open public grassland which separates it from Greenwich to the north and Lewisham to the west...
at 35 m (114.8 ft) above sea level, on the south of the River Thames, and heads east through Charlton
Charlton, London
Charlton is a district of south London, England, and part of the London Borough of Greenwich. It is located east-southeast of Charing Cross. Charlton next Woolwich was an ancient parish in the county of Kent, which became part of the metropolitan area of London in 1855. It is home to Charlton...
. The three courses converge after 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi) in Woolwich
Woolwich
Woolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
, close to the Royal Artillery Barracks
Royal Artillery Barracks
The Royal Artillery Barracks at Woolwich in South East London is the "home" of the Royal Artillery. It is famous for having the longest continuous building facade in the UK as well as for having the largest parade square of any UK barracks.-History:...
.
As the runners reach the 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), they pass by the Old Royal Naval College
Old Royal Naval College
The Old Royal Naval College is the architectural centrepiece of Maritime Greenwich, a World Heritage Site in Greenwich, London, described by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation as being of “outstanding universal value” and reckoned to be the “finest and most...
and head towards Cutty Sark
Cutty Sark
The Cutty Sark is a clipper ship. Built in 1869, she served as a merchant vessel , and then as a training ship until being put on public display in 1954...
drydocked in Greenwich
Greenwich
Greenwich is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.Greenwich is best known for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time...
. Heading next into Surrey Quays
Surrey Quays
Surrey Quays is a name given to a largely residential area of Rotherhithe in south-east London, occupied until 1970 by the Surrey Commercial Docks...
in the Docklands, and out towards Bermondsey
Bermondsey
Bermondsey is an area in London on the south bank of the river Thames, and is part of the London Borough of Southwark. To the west lies Southwark, to the east Rotherhithe, and to the south, Walworth and Peckham.-Toponomy:...
, competitors race along Jamaica Road before reaching the half-way point as they cross the Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, England, over the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, from which it takes its name...
. Running east again along The Highway
The Highway
The Highway, formerly known as the Ratcliffe Highway, is a mile-long road in the East End of London, with several historic landmarks nearby. The route dates back to Roman times. In the 19th century it had a very notorious reputation for vice and crime and was the site of the infamous Ratcliff...
through Wapping
Wapping
Wapping is a place in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets which forms part of the Docklands to the east of the City of London. It is situated between the north bank of the River Thames and the ancient thoroughfare simply called The Highway...
, competitors head up towards Limehouse
Limehouse
Limehouse is a place in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is on the northern bank of the River Thames opposite Rotherhithe and between Ratcliff to the west and Millwall to the east....
and into Mudchute
Mudchute
Mudchute is the name of a locality just south of Canary Wharf on the Isle of Dogs in Docklands, London, England.The name of the area is in testament to the engineering overspill when Millwall Dock was being constructed in the 1860s...
in the Isle of Dogs
Isle of Dogs
The Isle of Dogs is a former island in the East End of London that is bounded on three sides by one of the largest meanders in the River Thames.-Etymology:...
via Westferry Road, before heading into Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf is a major business district located in London, United Kingdom. It is one of London's two main financial centres, alongside the traditional City of London, and contains many of the UK's tallest buildings, including the second-tallest , One Canada Square...
.
As the route leads away from Canary Wharf into Poplar
Poplar, London
Poplar is a historic, mainly residential area of the East End of London in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is about east of Charing Cross. Historically a hamlet in the parish of Stepney, Middlesex, in 1817 Poplar became a civil parish. In 1855 the Poplar District of the Metropolis was...
, competitors run west down Poplar High Street back towards Limehouse and on through Commercial Road
Commercial Road
Commercial Road , in length, is in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in the East End of London. It runs from "Gardener's Corner" , through Stepney to the junction with Burdett Road , Limehouse from which point the route becomes the East India Dock Road...
. They then move back onto The Highway, onto Lower and Upper Thames Streets.. Heading into the final leg of the race, competitors pass St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral, London, is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of London. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604. St Paul's sits at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, and is the mother...
on Ludgate Hill
Ludgate Hill
Ludgate Hill is a hill in the City of London, near the old Ludgate, a gate to the City that was taken down, with its attached gaol, in 1780. Ludgate Hill is the site of St Paul's Cathedral, traditionally said to have been the site of a Roman temple of the goddess Diana. It is one of the three...
. In the penultimate mile along The Embankment
Thames Embankment
The Thames Embankment is a major feat of 19th century civil engineering designed to reclaim marshy land next to the River Thames in central London. It consists of the Victoria and Chelsea Embankment....
, the London Eye
London Eye
The London Eye is a tall giant Ferris wheel situated on the banks of the River Thames, in London, England.It is the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe, and the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, visited by over 3.5 million people annually...
comes into view, before the athletes turn right into Birdcage Walk
Birdcage Walk
Birdcage Walk is a street in London, United Kingdom, in the City of Westminster. It runs east-west as a continuation of Great George Street, from the crossroads with Horse Guards Road and Storey's Gate, with the Treasury building on the north east corner, to a junction with Buckingham Gate, at the...
to complete the final 352 metres (385 yd), catching the sights of Big Ben and Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
, and finishing in The Mall alongside St. James's Palace
St. James's Palace
St. James's Palace is one of London's oldest palaces. It is situated in Pall Mall, just north of St. James's Park. Although no sovereign has resided there for almost two centuries, it has remained the official residence of the Sovereign and the most senior royal palace in the UK...
. This final section of the route will form part of the 2012 Olympic Marathon Course
2012 Olympic Marathon Course
The 2012 Olympic Marathon Course will be used for both the men's and women's marathon races at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. The course will circuit much of central London, starting and finishing in the Mall.- Original route description :...
.
Since the first marathon, the course has undergone very few route changes. In 1982, the finishing post was moved from Constitution Hill
Constitution Hill, London
Constitution Hill is a road in the City of Westminster in London. It connects the western end of The Mall with Hyde Park Corner, and is bordered by Buckingham Palace Gardens and Green Park. The term "Hill" is something of a misnomer; there is barely detectable slope but most observers would...
to Westminster Bridge
Westminster Bridge
Westminster Bridge is a road and foot traffic bridge over the River Thames between Westminster on the north side and Lambeth on the south side, in London, England....
due to construction works. It remained there for twelve years before moving to its present location at The Mall. In 2005, the route around the Isle of Dogs
Isle of Dogs
The Isle of Dogs is a former island in the East End of London that is bounded on three sides by one of the largest meanders in the River Thames.-Etymology:...
between 22 and 34 km (13.7 and 21.1 mi) was switched from a clockwise to an anti-clockwise direction, and at 35 kilometres (21.7 mi) the route was diverted to avoid the cobblestone
Cobblestone
Cobblestones are stones that were frequently used in the pavement of early streets. "Cobblestone" is derived from the very old English word "cob", which had a wide range of meanings, one of which was "rounded lump" with overtones of large size...
d area near the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
. In 2008, a suspected gas leak at a pub in Wapping diverted the course, but in 2009 the race followed the same path as in 2007.
Results
The inaugural marathon had 7,741 entrants, 6,255 of whom completed the race. The first Men's Elite Race was tieTie (draw)
To tie or draw is to finish a competition with identical or inconclusive results. The word "tie" is usually used in North America for sports such as American football. "Draw" is usually used in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Commonwealth of Nations and it is usually used for sports such as...
d between American Dick Beardsley
Dick Beardsley
Dick Beardsley is an American long-distance runner best known for his close finish with Alberto Salazar in the 1982 Boston Marathon.-Running career:...
and Norwegian Inge Simonsen
Inge Simonsen
Inge Simonsen is a Norwegian distance runner who tied for first place in the inaugural 1981 London Marathon. In that race, he and the other winner, American Dick Beardsley, intentionally crossed the finish line, in 2:11:48, holding hands in a dead heat...
, who crossed the finish line holding hands in 2 hours, 11 minutes, 48 seconds. The first Women's Elite Race was won by Briton Joyce Smith
Joyce Smith
Joyce Esther Smith is a British former long distance runner.Smith was born in Stoke Newington, London, and began running competitively in the 1950s, at which time the longest distance for women in international competitions was 800 metres. She won the English National Crosscountry Championship in...
in 2:29:57. In 1983, the first wheelchair race
Wheelchair racing
Wheelchair racing is the racing of wheelchairs in track and road races. Wheelchair racing is open to athletes with any qualifying type of disability, amputees, spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy and partially sighted . Athletes are classified in accordance with the nature and severity of their...
s took place. Organized by the British Sports Association for the Disabled
English Federation of Disability Sport
The English Federation of Disability Sport is an umbrella organization promoting sport for athletes with disabilities in England. Founded in 1998, the Federation brought together a number of organizations who had separately promoted disabled sports before its creation...
(BASD), 19 people competed and 17 finished. Gordon Perry
Gordon Perry (athlete)
Gordon Perry is a British wheelchair athlete who has competed in wheelchair racing and wheelchair basketball. The winner of the inaugural London Marathon wheelchair race, Perry competed in a number of wheelchair races during his racing career...
of the United Kingdom won the Men's Wheelchair Race, coming in at 3:20:07, and Denise Smith
Denise Smith (athlete)
Denise Smith is a former British wheelchair athlete. A paralympian and longtime wheelchair athlete, Smith won the inaugural London Marathon wheelchair race in a time of 4:29:03. She competed in ice sledge speed racing at the 1984 Winter Paralympics and won three silver medals in the 100, 300, and...
, also of the UK, won the Women's Wheelchair Race in 4:29:03.
World records for marathon running have been set four times. Khalid Khannouchi
Khalid Khannouchi
Khalid Khannouchi is a Moroccan American marathoner. He was born in Meknes, Morocco. He is the former world record holder for the marathon and held the former road world best for the 20 km distance. He is one of only five men to break the marathon world record more than once, and one of only four...
, representing the United States, set the men's world record in 2:05:38 in 2002. The following year, British runner Paula Radcliffe
Paula Radcliffe
Paula Jane Radcliffe, MBE is an English long-distance runner. She is the current women's world record holder in the marathon with her time of 2:15:25 hours...
set the women's world record in 2:15:25 (later downgraded to "world best" by the IAAF as it was achieved in a mixed race). Radcliffe's time also stands as the current course record in the Women's Elite Race: this followed women's records set in 1983 and 1985 by Grete Waitz
Grete Waitz
Grete Waitz was a Norwegian marathon runner and former world record holder. Waitz won nine New York City Marathons between 1978 and 1988, more than any other runner in history...
and Ingrid Kristiansen
Ingrid Kristiansen
Ingrid Kristiansen née Christensen , was one of the best female long distance runners in the second half of the 1980s. She finished in fourth place in the first women's Olympic marathon race, at the 1984 Summer Olympics.-Career:Kristiansen started her career quite unremarkably, running 2:30 - 2:40...
respectively, both of Norway. The current men's course record is 2:04:40, set by Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai in the 2011 edition. Kurt Fearnley
Kurt Fearnley
Kurt Fearnley OAM is an Australian wheelchair racer, who competes at the Olympic level. At the 2004 Olympic Games, he finished 5th in the demonstration sport of Men's 1500m wheelchair...
of Australia set the Men's Wheelchair Race course record at 1:28:57 in 2009, and the Women's equivalent was set by American athlete Amanda McGrory
Amanda McGrory
-Biography:At the age of five, Amanda contracted a rare virus which left her unable to walk. Her parents say she became depressed but that all changed after Amanda’s parents introduced her to the Variety Club Camp and Developmental Center. There, Amanda met other children with various disabilities...
in 2011, with 1:46:30.
In October 2010 Aubrey Books published The Official Register of London Marathon Runners 2001–2010, a book which lists everyone who ran the marathons between the years in the title and their times.
Sponsorship and marketing
On 16 May 2008, London Marathon Limited signed a new five year £17m sponsorship deal with VirginVirgin Group
Virgin Group Limited is a British branded venture capital conglomerate organisation founded by business tycoon Richard Branson. The core business areas are travel, entertainment and lifestyle. Virgin Group's date of incorporation is listed as 1989 by Companies House, who class it as a holding...
and Virgin Money
Virgin Money
Virgin Money is a UK-based financial services company owned by the Virgin Group and founded by Sir Richard Branson in March 1995. It was originally known as Virgin Direct, and pioneered index tracking by launching a value Personal Equity Plan into the market. In the 2000s Virgin Money expanded its...
. The original sponsors were Gillette who sponsored the event from 1981 to 1983. The other sponsors have been Mars (1984–1988), ADT
ADT Security Services
ADT Security Services, originally American District Telegraph, now also known as simply ADT, is a division of Tyco International and a worldwide supplier of electronic security systems, fire alarm systems, communication systems, and integrated building management systems.-History:There were many...
(1989–1992), NutraSweet
NutraSweet
The NutraSweet Company makes and sells NutraSweet, their trademarked brand name for the artificial sweetener aspartame, and Neotame.Aspartame was accidentally discovered in 1965 by James M. Schlatter, a chemist with a master's degree working under Dr. Kurt Rorig, PhD, in charge of new drug research...
(1993–1995), and Flora
Flora (margarine)
Flora is a brand of margarine, sold in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Spain, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. It is produced by Unilever and sold in other parts of the world under the brand name of Becel...
(1996–2009). A number of other companies and organisations also use the event for brand
Brand
The American Marketing Association defines a brand as a "Name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers."...
identification and marketing
Marketing
Marketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments...
, including Adidas
Adidas
Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
, Lucozade Sport, and Fuller's Brewery.
Organisation
The race is currently organised by former 10,000 m world record holder David BedfordDavid Bedford (athlete)
David Colin Bedford is an English former long distance runner, a colourful character whose career spanned the early 1970s. He is now race director of the London Marathon, and a representative for UK Athletics on the IAAF Road Running Committee.Bedford held the world record at 10,000m, improving it...
as Race Director and Nick Bitel as Chief Executive. Bedford and Bitel have overseen a period of great change for the race, including amendments to the course in 2005 which saw the famous cobbled section by the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
replaced with a flat stretch along the Highway.
Dr Dan Tunstall-Pedoe, was the medical director of the London Marathon for 25 years between the first one in 1981 until 2005. In 2003, Dr Tunstall-Pedoe was shadowed by Professor Sanjay Sharma from St George's University of London was took over the role in its entirety in 2006. Medical cover is provided by 150 highly experienced doctors in internal medicine, intensive care, sports medicine, orthopaedics and anaesthetics. The doctors are assisted by more than 1,500 volunteers of St. John Ambulance
St. John Ambulance
St John Ambulance, branded as St John in some territories, is a common name used by a number of affiliated organisations in different countries dedicated to the teaching and practice of medical first aid and the provision of ambulance services, all of which derive their origins from the St John...
, who organise over 50 first aid posts along the route, and three field hospitals at the finish. St John Ambulance also provide a large number of Healthcare Professionals for the event, including a vast number of Nurses and Paramedics. They also provide a large number of Ambulances and Ambulance Crews for use at the event and also across London to support the NHS Ambulance Service.
The BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
covers the event, devoting rolling coverage for most of the morning. The theme music associated with this coverage, and with the event itself, is called Main Titles to The Trap, composed by Ron Goodwin
Ron Goodwin
Ronald Alfred Goodwin was a British composer and conductor known for his film music. He scored over 70 films in a career lasting over fifty years....
for the film The Trap
The Trap (1966 film)
The Trap is an adventure/romance film released in 1966 starring Rita Tushingham and Oliver Reed, written by David D. Osborn and directed by Sidney Hayers....
.
Events
There are three separate groups of starters: Elite Women, Wheelchair (Men and Women), and Elite Men followed by Mass Race.Mini Marathon
The Virgin Mini Marathon is the sister of The London Marathon. The course is the last three miles of the London Marathon and is aimed at ages 11–17 from all 33 London Boroughs along with 13 teams from ten English regions and three Home Countries: Scotland, Wales and Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. There is also a Mini Wheelchair race on the day.
External links
- Official website
- Official map - splits given in miles
- Results of previous races - splits given in kilometres
- London Marathon Route Guide - splits given in kilometres
- Interactive Route map from the Guardian (2009 route)
- Historical weather information for marathon days in London
- The Official Register of London Marathon Runners 2001-2010, published by Aubrey Books