Hundreds of runners are gearing as much as tackle the London Marathon as the long-lasting 26.2-mile race returns at present.
There will probably be loads of runners in fancy costume (Picture: Getty)
The 2026 London Marathon takes place at present, with greater than 59,000 individuals anticipated to finish the 26.2-mile course. The 2025 occasion set a world document for the variety of finishers, regardless of scorching circumstances, with a complete of 56,640 entrants finishing the gap.
The route has remained largely unchanged since its inception in 1981. The purpose-to-point 26.2-mile route begins in Blackheath and finishes at The Mall close to Buckingham Palace.
This yr’s elite races characteristic all 4 defending champions, Sabastian Sawe, Tigst Assefa, Marcel Hug, and Catherine Debrunner.
Whereas when it comes to sport stars, Aaron Ramsey, Sir Alastair Prepare dinner, Sebastian Vettel, Tony Adams and Dame Laura Kenny are all anticipated to participate.
Sir Mo Farah and England’s Girls’s Rugby World Cup winner Ellie Kildunne have the honour of formally beginning the occasion in Greenwich Park, and you’ll comply with all of the motion because it occurs beneath.
29 minutes in the past08:50 Connor O’Neill
Dame Laura Kenny makes ‘terrified’ admission
Dame Laura Kenny is making her debut at this yr’s London Marathon after she was pressured to drop out of final yr’s race attributable to being pregnant.
And chatting with the BBC simply now, she mentioned: “I feel he [Jason Kenny] is glad that he can hand it again and never come at present. I feel taking care of the children at house is tougher than this!
“I’m wanting ahead to the gang, however the working I’m scared of. I get informed if I begin strolling, I’ll stroll to the end.”
Sir Ben Ainslie can be working at present’s race, and he mentioned: “Undoubtedly out of my consolation zone. It is my first marathon, however like Laura [Kenny], unsure of the timing, however simply get caught in and have a superb day trip.”
Dame Laura Kenny Visits Native parkrun (Picture: Getty) 36 minutes in the past08:43 Connor O’Neill
Final yr’s winners
Final yr, Tigst Assefa ran a world document for a women-only area, crossing the road in two hours quarter-hour 50 seconds, whereas Sabastian Sawe gained the lads’s race in 2:02:27.
Tigst Assefa after profitable final yr’s London Marathon (Picture: Getty) 49 minutes in the past08:30 Connor O’Neill
London Marathon poll for subsequent yr open
The poll for subsequent yr’s London Marathon has already opened.
Folks have till 4pm on Friday Might 1 to strive their luck within the random draw for subsequent yr’s occasion, which can happen on Sunday April 25, with poll outcomes to be introduced by early July.
A record-breaking 1,133,813 individuals utilized for a poll place for at present’s race, however the odds of getting fortunate could enhance for 2027 with plans being explored to carry an additional London Marathon on Saturday, April 24.
If permission is granted for the one-off two‑day format, all entrants would mechanically be entered into the poll for each the Saturday and Sunday occasions, though they’d solely be capable of run in a single occasion.
A two-day occasion would imply extra locations for charity fundraisers.
London Marathon runners cross London Bridge (Picture: Getty) 1 hour in the past08:16 Connor O’Neill
London Marathon fancy costume throwbacks
Just a few extra basic fancy costume costumes that we’ve got seen through the years on the London Marathon.
A runner seen wearing full Rhino costume (Picture: Getty)
A few runners in fancy costume (Picture: Getty)
A glance again at a number of the basic costumes runners have run in through the years, with extra anticipated to be on present at present.
A runner in a Rubik’s Dice (Picture: Getty)
A runner wearing a St George Knight costume (Picture: Getty) 1 hour in the past08:03 Connor O’Neill
London Marathon climate newest
File-breaking numbers are anticipated in the beginning line in Greenwich, with greater than 59,000 individuals gearing as much as race in heat sunshine.
Temperatures are forecast to succeed in the excessive teenagers, with contributors taking over the 26.2-mile course suggested to remain hydrated forward of the marathon and put on light-weight clothes on the day.
1 hour in the past08:00 Connor O’Neill
Who will probably be beginning the London Marathon?
4-time Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah and England’s Girls’s Rugby World Cup winner Ellie Kildunne have the honour of formally beginning the occasion in Greenwich Park.
Sir Mo Farah in the course of the 2023 TCS London Marathon (Picture: Getty)
Aaron Ramsey, former footballer
Sir Alastair Prepare dinner, former cricketer
Sebastian Vettel, former F1 driver
Tony Adams, former footballer
Dame Laura Kenny, former Olympian
Sir Ben Ainslie, former Olympian
Sir AP McCoy, former jockey
Geraint Thomas, former bike owner
Cynthia Erivo, actor
Jack O’Connell, actor
Ore Oduba, TV presenter
Fern Brady, comic
1 hour in the past07:53 Connor O’Neill
How one can watch the London Marathon
In addition to following what occurs right here on our devoted stay weblog, you may also watch the race on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Protection begins at 8:30 and runs till 2pm earlier than the motion switches over to BBC Two for an hour. There are additionally highlights on BBC Two tonight at 7pm.
2 hours in the past07:49 Connor O’Neill
What time does the London Marathon begin?
Elite wheelchairs – 08:50
Elite Girls – 09:05
Elite males – 09:35
Mass Occasion – 09:35 – 11:30
2 hours in the past07:47 Connor O’Neill
Good Morning
Good morning and welcome to our stay protection of at present’s London Marathon. Hundreds of runners are at present gearing as much as tackle the 26.2-mile race. So let’s get going!
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