Why is the London Marathon 26.2 miles long?
THERE is a reason why the London Marathon is 26.2 miles long.
The event is held in the UK’s capital every year and will next take place on April 21, 2024.
How many km is the London Marathon?
The London Marathon is 42km but it hasn’t always been this long.
It is the second-largest annual road race in the UK after the Great North Run in Newcastle.
There are a huge 50,000 runners that take part in the event every year.
The distance for the race is related to ancient Greek mythology, the Olympics and the British Royal Family.
Marathons have ancient roots dating back to 776 B.C. when it was inspired by a messenger who raced from the site of Marathon to Athens.
The messenger was carrying news of a Greek victory over an invading Persian army in 490 B.C.
They ran a distance of 40km (24.8miles), and upon their arrival, they collapsed and died.
To commemorate the run, the distance was set at 40km at the 1896 Olympic Games in Athens.
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However, the distance was extended in the 1908 Games in London to 26.2miles which is 42km.
It is alleged that the change was made to accommodate the British Royal Family.
Queen Alexandra, the wife of then-reigning monarch Edward VII, is believed to have requested the change.
It is claimed that she wanted the race to start on the lawns of Windsor Castle so the royal children could watch from their windows.
It is also reported that she asked for the race to end in front of the Royal Box at the White City Stadium.
The new distance happened to be 26.2miles, and in 1921, it became the standardised length of the race.
The event in 2024 will start in Greenwich Park in south-east London and finish close to Buckingham Palace.
Runners will pass famous landmarks such as Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, the Tower of London, the London Eye and Big Ben.
The London Marathon has been contested by men and women since 1981.
The last English male winner was in 1993 as Eamonn Martin claimed 1st place with a time of 2 hours 10 minutes and 50 seconds.
Paula Radcliffe was the last English winner in the women’s race in 2005, she won the event three times.
The 2023 event was won by runner Kelvin Kiptum, who set a course record.
London Marathon 2024 start times
THE London Marathon always takes place on a Sunday.
In 2024 runners will line up at the start line in Greenwich on Sunday, April 21.
The start times for the different races are:
- 8.15am – Elite wheelchair men’s and women’s races
- 9.00am – Elite women’s race
- 9.40am – Elite men’s race and mass start
Due to the huge numbers racing on the day, some competitors may not even cross the start line until around 11.30am.
The Kenyan completed the race in an incredible 2 hours 1 minute and 25 seconds.
Months later he broke the world marathon record with a time of two hours and 35 seconds. in Chicago,
Sadly he passed away nine months later in a horrific accident.
Marathon organisers are planning to pay tribute to the reigning champion with 30 seconds of applause ahead of the elite male race.
How many hours does it take to run the London Marathon?
Elite male athletes tend to run the marathon in a little over two hours.
Elite women will finish in around two hours 22 minutes.
However the London Marathon of full of runners of all ages and abilities.
The average time for women is 4hr 57min 26sec.
For men the average time is 4hrs 21min 9sec.
Is there a cut off time for London Marathon?
Yes there is a cut off time for running the London Marathon.
There is an official course cut-off time of eight hours from the moment the final participant crosses the start line at 11.30am.
Does everyone start the London Marathon at the same time?
The race starts in Greenwich Park on Sunday morning at around 8.30am with professional athletes leading the way.
Others then set off in waves.
From 10am to 11.30am a sequence of start waves will take place, with short gaps in between to allow the course ahead to clear.
All start lines will be closed by 11.30am.
Can you run the London Marathon with no training?
It’s important that you train ahead of running the London Marathon.
Although it may be possible to run without training, it is wise to prepare beforehand.
Many people train for weeks and months before as well as having a nutrition plan.