The 45th running of theLondon Marathongets under way in Greenwich on Sunday morning, a diverse multitude of elite athletes, costumed fun-runners, wheelchair competitors, the capital’s streets thronging with supporters over 26.2 miles, all cheering home the biggest field – 56,000 souls – to take part in this celebrated event.
Central London’s traffic may grind to a halt but records will fall, personal landmarks set and colossal sums of money raised for charities. The race is, after all, the world’slargest annual one-day fundraising event, with more than £1.3bn raised since 1981. And whether you are competing or following the action, here is your guide to the day …
From Greenwich Park in south-east London, the athletes head east first towards Woolwich, turn north to the Thames and then along the river’s southern bank and onwards to the raised-thumb loop at Rotherhithe. They turn east again to cross over the postcard friendly Tower Bridge and east again and into the Isle of Dogs. With legs and limbs growing ever heavier, the competitors head back towards Westminster and Big Ben along the north bank of the Thames and ever onwards to the grand backdrop of Buckingham Palace and the finishing line at the Mall.
With London’s temperatures forecast to rise into the low 20s, the conditions could prove challenging for many even over a route that is mostly flat. Spare a thought for the costumed competitors: not the ideal weather for those runners dressed as fridges or gorillas.
Among the world’s leading marathon runners it is hard to ignore Eliud Kipchoge’s credentials as favourite for the men’s race, which gets under way at 9.35am (times BST). The first athlete to run a marathon in under two hours (in 2019) and four times a winner (a record), the distance-running eminence returns for the first time since 2020.
Sure to be on his shoulder are the defending champion, Kenya’s Alexander Mutiso Munyao, and Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola, who powered to gold at theParis Games in an Olympic recordof 2hr 6min 26sec. Those seeking an outsider to cheer, look no further than the Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo. The half marathon world record-holder makes his London debut after becoming the first to run a half marathon in under 57 minutes in February.
For the women’s field, first off at 9.05am, two heroes of Paris 2024 feature in theOlympic champion, Sifan Hassan, and the silver medallist, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa.Hassan won the women’s race two years agoas she defied an injury to her hip – and nearly being taken out by a motorcycle – to claim a shock victory. “I was born for drama,” the Dutch athlete joked after 2023’s thrilling sprint finish.
The winners will receive £41,000, while a £112,000 bonus is the prize for any man running under 2:02 or woman below 2:15. Some £98,000 extra will be pocketed by any runner setting a world record. (Sidenote: this year’s race will host 87 official Guinness World Record attempts.)
Contesting the elite wheelchair events is something of a Swiss affair. Marcel Hug is going for a seventh – and fifth consecutive – London Marathon victory, while his compatriot Catherine Debrunner is targeting a third London victory medal to adorn her mantelpiece alongsidefive Paralympic golds from Paris 2024. Oh, and they both hold their respective London records: Hug 1:23:44, (2023); Debrunner 1:38:24, (2022).
Among the more than 30 octogenarians running will be two travelling from the United States – alongside approximately 5,446 Americans taking part – laying claim to being the oldest participants in this year’s race. Hats off to the 84-year-old Mohan Kudchadker and 83-year-old Mary Jo Brinkman for making us couch potatoes feel even more tardy.
As for the youngest participants, Lucy Jones from Hull turns 18 on Sunday and is raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of her mother, Clare, and grandmother Joan. Likewise, the youngest male participant, Callum Smillie, who celebrated his 18th birthday three days before the race, isrunning for Cancer Research UKin memory of his grandmother Margaret, who died from cancer.
How is this for persistence in the face of adversity? There are six stalwarts who have competed in all 44 London Marathons to date: best of British to Chris Finill (Harrow AC), Michael Pearce (Ranelagh Harriers), Bill O’Connor (Queen’s Park Harriers), Jeff Aston (Les Croupiers RC), David Walker (Chiltern Harriers) and Malcolm Speake (Road Runners AC).
Making their London Marathon debuts are Eilish McColgan, the British record holder for 5,000m, 10,000m, 5km, 10km, 10 miles and the half-marathon, and theOlympic and world triathlon champion, Alex Yee. Also among the 46,353 competitors from the UK are the elite athletes Mahamed Mahamedand Philip Sesemann in the men’s race and Charlotte Purdue,Rose Harveyand Phily Bowden in the women’s event. Honourable mention too for David Weir. The record eight-time winner is back again for his 26th consecutive appearance in the men’s wheelchair race.
For those playing sporting celebrity bingo, get ready to tick off the cycling valedictorianSir Jason Kenny, former England cricket captains and Sirs Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook, plus footballing notables Jack Wilshere, John Terry and Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci – all are dusting off their running shoes. From the world of entertainment the presenters Kelly Brook and Chris Evans, singer Alexandra Burke and McFly drummer Harry Judd join the throng.
Live TV coverage will begin on BBC One at 8.30am and switches to BBC Two for the final hour at 2pm. Those online can join Daniel Harris for our live blog from 8.30am at theguardian.com/sport.