London Marathon history and facts – what is the fastest time, when did it start, how far is the route and what’s the prize money?
THE London Marathon is one of the top distance running events of the year – for pros and amateurs alike.
Here’s The Sun’s potted history of the big run through the capital, which takes place on Sunday.
When did the London Marathon start?
The race was founded by former Olympic champion and journalist Chris Brasher and fellow athlete John Disley.
Shortly after running the New York City Marathon in 1979 Brasher wrote an article calling for London to emulate the Big Apple.
The following year Brasher and Disley made trips to America to study the organisation and finance of big city marathons.
Brasher signed a contract with Gillette for £50,000 and then on 29 March 1981 the first London Marathon was held.
More than 20,000 applied to run, 6,747 were accepted and 6,255 crossed the finish line of the race which was broadcast live on the BBC.
What is the fastest time?
In 2016 the fastest time ever recorded at the London Marathon was set by Eliud Kipchoge.
The Kenyan completed the course in a track record time of 2:03:05 just eight seconds off his world record pace of 2:02:57.
Paula Radcliffe holds the women’s record which has stood for 15 years.
The time set by the Brit in 2003 of 2:15:25 is still the women’s world record time for a marathon.
How far is the route?
Some 42,000 runners will for this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon.
Each year the course starts in East London around Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
Start times are staggered to avoid complete chaos for both contestants and officials.
Runners will see sights including the Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, Tower of London and Buckingham Palace on their 26.2 mile run.
As always, it will finish on The Mall.
It is set to be a scorcher with it potentially being the hottest race ever.
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What is the prize money?
The winners of the men and women’s elites will both pick up £39,000 for crossing the line first.
Second place in each receives £22,000, third gets £16,000 and fourth £10,500.
Overall, there is £121,000 on offer for the elite runners.
A further “£70,000 will be divided up between any runner who runs a sub-2:05:00 time in the men’s, and to any runner who bests 2:18:00 in the women’s race.
A further £17,600 is awarded to anyone who wins the race in a record time.
And a total of £17,600 is awarded to first prize winners of the wheelchair races.
There is also now £100,260 on offer to placing wheelchair competitors overall.
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