London Marathon

London Marathon
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Name	London Marathon
Caption	Runners finishing on The Mall, 2019
Date	April (annual)
Location	London, United Kingdom
First	1981
Distance	Marathon (42.195 km)
Type	Road
Participants	Tens of thousands

London Marathon is an annual long-distance athletics road race held each spring in central London. Founded in 1981, the event combines elite marathon competition with mass participation by amateur runners, wheelchair athletes, and international competitors. The race is notable for record-setting performances, large-scale charity fundraising, and a route that links many of London's principal landmarks.

History

The inaugural 1981 race was organised by Chris Brasher, John Disley, and supported by figures from The Daily Telegraph and The Observer, with celebrity and athletic entries including Nigel Mansell-style publicity and présence from television presenters. Early editions drew attention from BBC Sport, ITV Sport, and international outlets such as The New York Times and Agence France-Presse. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s the event grew alongside developments in World Athletics regulations, the professionalisation seen at the Olympic Games, and the emergence of elite African long-distance runners from Kenya and Ethiopia. The marathon weathered controversies over prize money disputes involving organisations like the Association of Track and Field Athletes and logistical challenges related to policing by the Metropolitan Police Service and transport planning with Transport for London. Milestones include the introduction of a wheelchair race contested by champions from United States and Switzerland, the staging of anniversary races during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games period, and pandemic-era adaptations like the 2020 virtual edition coordinated with World Health Organization guidance.

Course and Route

The course starts near Greenwich Park in southeast London and proceeds westward, passing through boroughs such as Greenwich, Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Westminster, and finishing on The Mall adjacent to Buckingham Palace. Runners traverse landmarks including the Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, The Shard, St Paul's Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, and Westminster Abbey. The route crosses the River Thames via Tower Bridge and features stretches along Embankment and The Mall, with logistical support from agencies like Transport for London and the Royal Parks. Alterations for events such as Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations and construction projects at Canary Wharf and Lambeth have led to temporary rerouting coordinated with the Mayor of London's office. The course is certified by World Athletics and the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races for record eligibility.

Participation and Categories

Entries include elite men and women invited through national athletics federations, mass entrants qualifying via time standards or ballot, and wheelchair competitors selected by adaptive sport bodies such as British Athletics and UK Athletics. There are competitive categories for veterans, para-athletes classified under IPC Athletics rules, and corporate teams organized by employers including multinational firms headquartered in Canary Wharf and The City of London. Charity entries are allocated by charities such as British Heart Foundation, Macmillan Cancer Support, Oxfam, and UNICEF UK. International delegations have included national teams from Kenya, Ethiopia, Japan, United States, and Morocco. Age-group club athletes represent organisations like Sutton Harriers, Belgrave Harriers, and university clubs from Loughborough University and University of Oxford.

Elite Competition and Records

Elite competition has showcased marathon world record attempts by athletes from Kenya and Ethiopia such as Kenenisa Bekele, Eliud Kipchoge (through invitational appearances at other major marathons), and notable British contenders supported by UK Athletics development programmes. Course records have been set during high-profile races televised by BBC Sport and streamed via partners like Virgin Money and international broadcasters. The wheelchair races have been dominated by champions from Switzerland, Australia, and the United States, with Paralympic medallists using the marathon as part of their season plans coordinated with the International Paralympic Committee. Doping controls follow protocols of World Anti-Doping Agency and testing is conducted in partnership with national anti-doping organisations such as UK Anti-Doping.

Organization and Sponsorship

The event is organised by a consortium led by professional race directors with support from commercial partners including title sponsors such as Virgin Group in past editions and financial partners from the banking and insurance sectors headquartered in London. Operational logistics involve coordination with the Metropolitan Police Service, London Ambulance Service, Transport for London, and volunteer coordination through charity organisations like St John Ambulance and British Red Cross. Broadcast rights have been held by broadcasters including BBC Sport and international partners, while athlete services work with equipment suppliers such as Nike, adidas, and specialist wheelchair manufacturers. Corporate governance incorporates oversight from entities like the Professional Publishers Association for media deals and compliance with municipal authorities including the Greater London Authority.

Charity and Community Impact

Fundraising associated with the race has generated hundreds of millions of pounds for charities including Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation, Alzheimer's Society, and international relief organisations like Médecins Sans Frontières and Save the Children. Community initiatives have included school running programmes in partnership with Sport England and local councils in boroughs such as Tower Hamlets and Lambeth, promoting participation through club links with England Athletics and volunteer mobilisation by organisations like Localgiving. Economic impact studies commissioned by the Mayor of London and the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry demonstrate benefits to hospitality and tourism sectors concentrated around Westminster, Soho, and Southbank restaurants and hotels. The event has also catalysed accessibility advocacy through collaborations with Scope and Mencap to improve inclusion for disabled athletes and spectators.

Category:Marathons in the United Kingdom Category:Sport in London Category:Annual sporting events