London gears up for the marathon

by Mick the Ram

One of the great annual UK spectacles takes place at the weekend when over 50,000 people will participate in the London marathon.

The race will is scheduled for Sunday 21 April, setting off from Greenwich Park and ending on the Mall, passing some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks.

There are fears that this year’s event could be disrupted by protesters, with runners raising money for both Palestinians and Israelis.

In a tribute to last year’s men’s race winner Kelvin Kiptum a 30-second round of applause will take place; the world record holder tragically died in a car crash just a few months ago.

Race has come along way

The London Marathon was the brainchild of John Disley and the late Chris Brasher, dreamed up after both running in the New York City version.

Two years later it became a reality with 7,747 taking part in the 1981 debut season. It is now one of the most famous marathons anywhere in the world and is viewed in more than 196 countries.

Incredible generosity over the years

Runners in the London Marathon have raised more than £1 billion for charities, while the London Marathon Foundation has granted more than £100 million to more than 1,460 projects that boost sports participation and physical activity. This year’s event will raise a single race record of more than £66.4m alone.

Plea for calm on the streets

Organisers have been urging protesters to respect the “celebration of humanity” that the race represents, and call off any interruptions. With all the problems in the Middle East it has been feared that disruptions are almost inevitable, so security will be tight.

Respectful tribute for the champion

There will be an emotional moment when the runners line up at the start as 24-year-old Kiptum’s achievements are celebrated and acknowledgement is made to the reigning champion, who sadly lost his life in February when he was involved in a fatal road smash after losing control of his vehicle in Kaptagat, south-west Kenya.

Staggered starts to avoid bottlenecks

Due to the sheer numbers involved there will be different start times, known as waves for this 2024 race. These will be arranged between 10am and 11.30am with short gaps to allow a reasonable stagger and they will be allocated based on predicted finishing times.

This will be some time after the professionals have got on their way, with the elite men’s race due to be started by Dame Kelly Holmes, the 2004 Olympic 800m and 1500m gold medallist.

Fancy dress out in force

Runners have their own agendas with some looking to beat records, whilst others will run in fancy dress to raise money for good causes. There will be cartoon characters, celebrity lookalikes, animal outfits, virtually anything, but all for the right reasons.

One such person is Jess Walklin, from Islington in north London, who will be taking on the race wearing a giant brain costume weighing 5kg (11lb). The 30-year-old is doing so on behalf of the charity Brain Tumour Research, in honour of his mother, Caroline Walklin, who was diagnosed with the condition.

Sightseeing not on the agenda

The route takes in many of London’s fabulous sights, as the field meanders past the likes of The Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge, The Tower of London, The London Eye, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace, although the majority of the runners will have their minds elsewhere.