London Marathon
In 1979, hours after having run the New York Marathon, the former Olympic champion Chris Brasher wrote
an article for The London Observer which began: "To believe this story you must believe that the human
race be one joyous family, working together, laughing together, achieving the impossible. Last Sunday,
in one of the most trouble-stricken cities in the world, 11,532 men and women from 40 countries in the
world, assisted by over a million black, white and yellow people, laughed, cheered and suffered during
the greatest folk festival the world has seen." Inspired by the sight of people coming together for such
an occasion, he concluded, questioning "..whether London could stage such a festival?"
Well it could, the first being run in 1981, and it still does, with the London Marathon having become one of the most popular races in the world.
Wending its way through the city, the course is flat and fast. It starts in Blackheath, passes the Cutty Sark in Greenwich at 10km, and then proceeds on its way to crossing the River Thames at Tower Bridge. The route then loops round the east end of London, past Canary Wharf in Docklands, before heading west again. The course at this point was altered slightly in 2005 to avoid the cobbles by the Tower of London before continuing along the Embankment to Parliament Square, Birdcage Walk and to the final corner in front of Buckingham Palace.
The race constitutes an amazing journey through London's architectural and cultural history. At Mile 10.5, the route passes within 250 yards of the Mayflower Pub where the Pilgrims assembled to set sail for America. Runners pass over historic Tower Bridge at mile marker 12, and at Mile 24 they pass Cleopatra's Needle, one of a pair that originally stood at Heliopolis in Egypt. This should be of particular interest to New Yorkers, as its twin stands in Central Park just a few feet away from the New York Marathon course.
Whether for the scenic journey through one of Europe's most historic and beautiful cities, or a chance to run a fast race on an exceptional course, the London Marathon is an ideal experience for any long distance enthusiast.
Visit London Marathon Official Website
