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From elite Olympic athletes to inflatable sharks and a man with a fridge on his back, more than 1.3 million people have put themselves through the impressive (and insane) toil of running the London Marathon over the last 45 years.
The 26.2 mile event through the London’s streets launched in 1981, with just 6,255 completing the original run. Every year, the number of participants have grown and these days it’s a much, much bigger affair. In 2025, it could even become the biggest marathon event in the whole world.
In its 45th year, more than 56,000 people (out of 840,000 applicants) are expected to sprint, run and jog the route from Greenwich to Buckingham Palace on April 27. If that happens, the London Marathon will beat New York’s record of 55,646 finishers and Guinness World Records will declare it the world’s largest marathon.
Hugh Brasher, chief exec of London Marathon Events, said: ‘The 45th edition is a landmark year for us, and it would be wonderful to mark that by becoming the biggest marathon ever staged anywhere in the world," said Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events.
‘Marathon Day is an extraordinary day when communities come together to celebrate the very best of humanity as tens of thousands of participants take on the legendary 26.2-mile challenge from Greenwich to the Mall and raise tens of millions for charity on the way.’
In training? Check out our pick of running groups in London and the best songs for clocking miles.
Would rather support from the sidelines? Here are all the best places to watch the London Marathon.
Plus: East London is getting a brand-new 10k race this summer – with a quirky twist.
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