AND THEY'RE OFF! London Marathon 2024: Thousands take to the streets in record-breaking year for iconic race – including host of celebs
THOUSANDS of runners have taken to the streets in a record-breaking year for the London Marathon.
More than 50,000 participants, including a host of celebrities, hit the ground this morning with police also out in force, having formed a ring of steel.
The 26.2 mile route is the same as in recent years, starting at Blackheath and ending at The Mall - taking in Big Ben, Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace.
Temperatures of up to 13C were predicted - and while rain is not expected in the capital, a northerly breeze and quite a lot of cloud is.
Among the general participants to catch the eye this year are Jason Byrd, who is carrying a washing machine on his back.
While 'Hardest Geezer' Russ Cook, who this month became the first person to run the entire length of Africa, is also taking part.
READ MORE SPORTHe crossed 16 countries as he ran the equivalent of 385 marathons during the mammoth journey - and was yesterday spotted at a non-league football match.
Among the celebrities taking part are comedian Romesh Ranganathan - who is making his Marathon debut.
Romesh talked about his preparation to Runners World saying that "running always kicks your a***".
He added: "It’s easy to take up; it’s really hard to master.
"That’s what stand-up is like: it’s easy to start, but very difficult to get really good at.
"And I think that’s what running is like: every time you think you’ve cracked it, the god of running goes, 'I’m going to give you something else to kick your a***'.”
Britain's richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe is also running.
Appearing on Geraint Thomas' podcast he talked about his marathon experience.
Sir Jim said: "I did London last year. I did four and a half. I'm doing London again this year."
Emma Barton and Jamie Borthwick have already run the London Marathon but are doing it for a second time for an EastEnders storyline.
Their characters Honey and Jay are running in memory of Jay’s wife Lola who died of a brain tumour in a storyline from 2023.
After revealing her diagnosis with ulcerative colitis in December 2023, The Only Way Is Essex’s Chloe Meadows will be taking on the marathon in support of Crohn’s and Colitis UK.
Also among the runners are 20 MPs and peers, the most in the event's history, including Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.
Chief Superintendent Louise Puddefoot, who leads policing in London this weekend, said the Met has been working closely with the event organisers, the event security team, British Transport Police and City of London Police to plan for the day.
She continued: “People can expect to see a visible and engaging policing presence across London, including at transport hubs and other busy and crowded areas. This is a whole policing effort with lots of our specialist officers on hand to support as needed.
“Any attempt to disrupt the marathon will be dealt with swiftly and robustly.
"Where any protest crosses the line into criminality, we will respond quickly to remove and arrest activists as appropriate, and return things to normal as soon as possible so everyone can enjoy the event."
The elite and wheelchair races set off at staggered start times, from 9.05am, with the mass runners starting at 10am.
Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir won the women's elite race with a new world record ahead of this summer's Paris Olympics.
She was in tears as she crossed the line with a time of 2 hrs 16 mins and 16 secs.
Kenyan runner Alexander Mutiso Munyao has won the men's race.
The 24-year-old fell to his knees as he crossed the finish line, having recorded a time of 2hrs 4mins 1sec.
British runner Emile Cairess also made it onto the podium in third place.
However, the London Marathon is full of runners of all ages and abilities - with the ballot for 2025 already open.
Last year's competitors finished with an average time of 4 hours and 6 minutes - an improvement of 12 minutes from 2022.
The average time for women is 4hr 57min 26sec. For men the average time is 4hrs 21min 9sec.
Why is the London Marathon 26.2 miles long?
There is a reason why the London Marathon is 26.2 miles long.
The event is held in the UK's capital every year.
It is 42km but it hasn't always been this long.
It is the second-largest annual road race in the UK after the Great North Run in Newcastle.
There are a huge 50,000 runners that take part in the event every year.
The distance for the race is related to ancient Greek mythology, the Olympics and the British Royal Family.
Marathons have ancient roots dating back to 776 B.C. when it was inspired by a messenger who raced from the site of Marathon to Athens.
The messenger was carrying news of a Greek victory over an invading Persian army in 490 B.C.
They ran a distance of 40km (24.8miles), and upon their arrival, they collapsed and died.
To commemorate the run, the distance was set at 40km at the 1896 Olympic Games in Athens.
However, the distance was extended in the 1908 Games in London to 26.2miles which is 42km.
It is alleged that the change was made to accommodate the British Royal Family.
Queen Alexandra, the wife of then-reigning monarch Edward VII, is believed to have requested the change.
It is claimed that she wanted the race to start on the lawns of Windsor Castle so the royal children could watch from their windows.
It is also reported that she asked for the race to end in front of the Royal Box at the White City Stadium.
The new distance happened to be 26.2miles, and in 1921, it became the standardised length of the race.
The Met has assured Londoners that despite a large amount of officers being deployed for the race, there are still enough to deal with issues elsewhere.
Ch Supt Puddefoot said: “Once again London will play host to some of the most iconic annual events in the sporting calendar this weekend.
“We are looking forward to the internationally important London Marathon, as well as the children’s mini marathon, and will have experienced policing teams on duty throughout.
"We have been working closely with the event organisers, the event security team, British Transport Police and City of London Police to plan for the day.
“People can expect to see a visible and engaging policing presence across London, including at transport hubs and other busy and crowded areas. This is a whole policing effort with lots of our specialist officers on hand to support as needed.
“Any attempt to disrupt the marathon will be dealt with swiftly and robustly.
"Where any protest crosses the line into criminality, we will respond quickly to remove and arrest activists as appropriate, and return things to normal as soon as possible so everyone can enjoy the event.
"With a number of road closures in place, those attending are being asked to check the TfL and official London Marathon websites in advance, in order to plan their journeys.
"Planned road closures can be viewed here.
“This weekend is also going to be very busy with two FA cup semi-finals and other matches and we will have a significant number of officers policing the football, to prevent crime and any disorder and provide a visible presence.
“As always we ask people to remain vigilant and report anything that seems suspicious or doesn’t feel right to police, whether in the area or by calling us.
“Despite lots of officers policing various events this weekend, I want to assure you we have plenty more to carry on with. our day-to-day policing across London.”
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