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The London Marathon takes place today and the ‘Hardest Geezer’ Russ Cook, the endurance athlete who recently ran the length of Africa, will be among the record number of people taking part in the 26-mile run.
More than 50,000 elite and charitable runners are taking to the streets of the capital on what is forecast to be a dry and bright Sunday with cool temperatures of 12C. This year’s race will mark the first time that wheelchair and non-disabled athletes have received the same prize money for a marathon.
A world record 578,000 people entered the ballot for this event, making it the most popular marathon in the world. There will be a host of celebrities including EastEnders cast members Emma Barton and Jamie Borthwick who will run as part of a storyline in which their characters Honey and Jay run in memory of Jay’s late wife, Lola (played by Danielle Harold), who died of a brain tumour in 2023.
Follow all the latest updates from the London Marathon below.
Switzerland’s Marcel Hug closing in on wheelchair win
Marcel Hug is now a long way clear of America’s Daniel Romanchuk and set to claim a fourth successive men’s wheelchair London Marathon title. He set a course record in each of his previous wins but won’t be doing that this time, however.
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 10:31
Kelvin Kiptum ‘would have broken’ two-hour marathon barrier, claims Lord Coe
There is no doubt about the quality that Kelvin Kiptum could have brought to this sport over the coming years:
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 10:28
London Marathon 2024: Full race under way
Here is a look back at that starting moment…
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 10:12
London Marathon 2024: Women’s race is flying
The elite women’s field, stacked full of talent, is on course for something special…
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 10:06
London Marathon 2024: Elite men and mass start begins
And they’re off! The elite group of men lead out the masses, with 50,000 people in tow. Those aiming for sub-three-hour marathons are stationed near the front and those looking at a much longer day are at the back of the pack, and will cross the start line in five minutes or so…
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 10:01
London Marathon to remember last year’s winner Kelvin Kiptum
Kelvin Kiptum will always hold a special place in the hearts of all marathon runners, according to veteran three-time Olympic track champion Kenenisa Bekele.
Kenyan long-distance runner Kiptum won last year’s London Marathon for the third time, but was killed in a car accident in February at the age of 24.
The death of Kiptum, who had gone on to become the first man to run the marathon under two hours and one minute in Chicago, sent shockwaves through the sport.
In winning last year, Kiptum set a new London Marathon record time of two hours, one minute and 25 seconds. He is to be remembered before Sunday’s race with 30 seconds of applause.
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 09:58
London Marathon 2024
Just a few minutes until the men’s elite race and the mass start which will follow it…
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 09:54
London Marathon 2024: Mass start nears
As ever, fancy dress is out in force at the London Marathon. A few spotted out at Greenwich Park:
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 09:45
Swiss duo leading wheelchair races
Reigning champion Marcel Hug is already in the lead through 5km of the men’s wheelchair race, while fellow Swiss Manuela Schar – three times a winner before – leads the women’s race.
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 09:31
Elite women’s race under way
The women’s race is off!
The elite women’s marathon is headlined by Tigst Assefa, who smashed the world record in Berlin last September. Previous record holder Brigid Kosgei will look to challenge her. The field in full is:
- Tigst ASSEFA (ETH, 2:11:53 WR)
- Brigid KOSGEI (KEN, 2:14:04)
- Ruth CHEPNGETICH (KEN, 2:14:18)
- Tigist KETEMA (ETH, 2:16:07)
- Almaz AYANA (ETH, 2:16:22)
- Megertu ALEMU (ETH, 2:17:09)
- Peres JEPCHIRCHIR (KEN, 2:17:16)
- Joyciline JEPKOSGEI (KEN, 2:17:23)
- Yalemzerf YEHUALAW (ETH, 2:17:23)
- Sheila CHEPKIRUI (KEN, 2:17:29)
- Tsige HAILESLASE (ETH, 2:22:10)
- Susanna SULLIVAN (USA, 2:24:27)
- Manon TRAPP (FRA, 2:25:48)
- Becky BRIGGS (GBR, 2:29:04)
- Alice WRIGHT (GBR, 2:29:08)
- Anya CULLING (GBR, 2:34:45)
- Rachel HODGKINSON (GBR, 2:34:46)
- Helen GAUNT (GBR, 2:35:38)
- Mhairi MACLENNAN (GBR, Debut)
- Lucy REID (GBR, Debut)
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 09:27