London Marathon is underway

Thousands take part in London's 32nd marathon race

Published 22 April 2012 in News

The London Marathon, the biggest fund-raising event in the world, has started and well underway. The race is the last chance for hopeful runners to qualify to be part of Team GB at the Olympics.

The 2012 London Marathon started just after 9am and among the 37,500 fun runners are elite sportmen, amateur athletes and a sprinkling of celebrities.

The elite women runners began their race at 0900 BST, the elite wheelchair race started at 0920 BST and the elite men set off at 0945 BST.

Among the runners, more than 100 people will be attempting to break world records, said Guinness World Records. Emmanuel Mutai defends men's title and Mary Keitany is defending the women's crown.

They include the record for the fastest marathon on stilts.

Many are raising money for charity, both able-bodied and disabled.

We say, good luck to all the runners whatever the reasons for running.

Note: The 26.2 mile long route is held in Greenwich Park and Blackheath, South London. There are three different start lines and three different start times to cater for the elite races and the enormous number of people who run. The race ends in The Mall where crowds await in phenomenal numbers.

Do you know someone who is running or have you run a marathon in the past. Tell us how it was for you.

Update:

10.50 The first winner has been announced - David Weir has won the wheelchair race for equalling Tanni Grey-Thompson's record of six London marathon victories.

11.10 am Britain's Shelly Woods wins women's wheelchair marathon

11.19 Kenyan Mary Keitany has won the Women''s race retaining her title in the London Marathon. She finished in 2 hours 18 minutes - a personal best and  the fourth fastest time in history.

11.50 Wilson Kipsang wins men's London marathon in  2:04:44  the second fastest marathon runner of all time.

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