London is buzzing right now; the Olympic Games are now just 98 days away and on Sunday 22 April London once again plays host to the world’s biggest and most prestigious marathon event.
Around thirty thousand runners will compete in this year’s marathon which has been held in London annually each spring since 1981. It’s a ‘traditional’ marathon in that it’s set over 26.2 miles (42 km) and starts at Blackheath. This year sees the course once again going past the newly refurbished Cutty Sark and the race will finish at The Mall beside St James Park.
If you’re not one of the lucky ones to actually be racing, the BBC shows complete coverage of the entire race, which is always both inspiring and quite moving to watch. Many are running because they are raising money for a charity close to their heart and will go on to raise millions collectively, in fact the London Marathon holds the Guinness world record for being the biggest fund raising event be held each year.
Many celebrities will also tackle the course, with much pride at stake! Many runners tackle the course in fancy dress and this helped set 35 new world records in 2011. So if you’re looking for inspiration for the 2013 London Marathon (which by the way entries are open at the end of the month) why not compete for the title of ‘fastest marathon dressed as a vegetable’ or maybe the ‘fastest marathon run by a married couple’ (could be interesting!)
I’ll be sat on the sofa watching the marathon (and feeling very ashamed that the oldest entrant is 101 years old!), a little sad knowing that my knees just wouldn’t be up to the job!
Good luck!
