Legendary London Marathon Runners Through The Years

how long london marathon

The London Marathon is an annual race that takes place in London, England. It is considered one of the biggest events in the running world, attracting runners from all over the world to compete in the 26.2-mile course. Since its inception in 1981, the London Marathon has seen many great runners compete, and some have achieved legendary status for their feats on the course.

One of the most well-known runners in the history of the London Marathon is Eliud Kipchoge. The Kenyan athlete has won the race four times and holds the course record of 2:01:39, set in 2018. Kipchoge is also the current marathon world record holder with a time of 2:01:39, set at the 2018 Berlin Marathon.

Another famous name associated with the London Marathon is Paula Radcliffe. The British athlete has won the women’s race on three occasions and set the women’s world record in 2003, with a time of 2:15:25. Radcliffe is also known for her dominant performances in the event, winning by large margins in each of her victories.

In recent years, Mo Farah has become a familiar face on the London Marathon course, having made the transition from track to roads. Farah won the men’s race in 2018 and finished third in 2019, with a personal best time of 2:05:39.

The London Marathon has a rich history of famous runners, and each year the event continues to attract the world’s best distance runners, all hoping to add their name to its illustrious list of winners.

Paula Radcliffe

Paula Radcliffe is a British long-distance runner who set the women’s world record for running the London Marathon in 2 hours 15 minutes and 25 seconds in 2003. Radcliffe’s impressive performance in the 2003 race broke the previous record by 89 seconds, and she became the first woman to run a marathon in under two hours and sixteen minutes. Despite her impressive performance, Radcliffe was unable to defend her record in 2004 when she was forced to withdraw due to an injury. She won the London Marathon in 2002, 2003, and 2005. Additionally, she is a three-time winner of the New York City Marathon, the Chicago Marathon, and the Berlin Marathon. Radcliffe remains one of the most accomplished female long-distance runners in history, and her success in the London Marathon has cemented her place in athletics history.

Mo Farah

Mo Farah competed in the 2018 London Marathon and finished with a time of 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 21 seconds. He finished in third place behind Eliud Kipchoge and Tola Shura Kitata. Farah’s finishing time was a personal best for him in the marathon distance. He was the first British man to finish the race and received a warm reception from the London crowd.

Prior to the London Marathon, Farah had only competed in one other marathon, finishing eighth in the 2014 London Marathon. However, Farah had already established himself as one of Britain’s greatest long-distance runners before taking on the marathon distance. He had won multiple Olympic and World Championship titles in the 5000m and 10,000m events.

how long london marathon

Farah had made the decision to transition to the marathon distance and had been working with renowned marathon trainer Gary Lough to prepare for the London Marathon. Farah’s performance in the 2018 London Marathon demonstrated that he had made a successful transition to the marathon distance and had the potential to become one of the world’s top marathon runners.

Eliud Kipchoge

Eliud Kipchoge is a Kenyan long-distance runner who won the 2018 London Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 17 seconds. He broke the previous course record by over a minute and set a new personal best time. Kipchoge also won the London Marathon in 2015 and 2016 and has won numerous other marathons around the world.

Kipchoge is known for his disciplined training regimen and his mental toughness in races. He has said that he tries to stay focused on the present moment and not get distracted by the distance or the competition. Kipchoge has also emphasized the importance of teamwork and the support of his training partners and coaches.

how long london marathon

In the 2018 London Marathon, Kipchoge took control of the race early on and maintained a steady pace throughout. He pulled away from his closest competitors in the final few miles and crossed the finish line with a sizable lead. Kipchoge’s victory was seen as a dominant performance and solidified his status as one of the world’s top marathon runners.

Overall, Kipchoge’s success in the 2018 London Marathon was a testament to his skill, hard work, and mental fortitude. By setting a new course record and winning the race in convincing fashion, he cemented his place as a legendary figure in the sport of distance running.

Tanni Grey-Thompson

Tanni Grey-Thompson is a Welsh former wheelchair racer, who competed in many international competitions, including the London Marathon. Her best time in the London Marathon was in 2001, where she completed the 26.2 miles course in a time of 2 hours, 44 minutes and 51 seconds. This impressive result saw her finish in 35th place overall and earned her the title of the fastest female wheelchair user in the race that year.

Grey-Thompson was a dominant force in wheelchair racing during her career, winning a total of 16 Paralympic medals, 11 of which were golds. She also won the London Marathon six times, demonstrating her long-standing connection to the event.

The London Marathon is an iconic event that attracts thousands of runners and spectators every year. It is one of the world’s largest marathons and is considered one of the most prestigious, due to its challenging course and the high standard of competitors.

how long london marathon

For those wondering what to get from London, consider checking out the variety of locally sourced food products available in the city.

Steve Jones

Steve Jones is a former Welsh long-distance runner who won the 1984 Chicago Marathon and the 1985 London Marathon. In 1985, he set a world record for the marathon with a time of 2:08:05, which remained unbeaten for the next three years.

During the 1985 London Marathon, Steve Jones completed the course with a time of 2:08:16, placing him in first place ahead of his competitors, Charlie Spedding and Julian Goater. The race, which is 26.2 miles long, started in Greenwich and finished in The Mall.

Real estate in London is a lucrative industry, with the question how much money does London make a year often asked by those interested in investing. The London Marathon is one of the largest events in the city, with over 40,000 runners taking part each year. As well as the economic benefits brought in by the participants and spectators, the London Marathon also raises money for charity. In 2020, despite the pandemic, the London Marathon was still held, but in a slightly different form with elite-only races and virtual events, raising over £16 million for charity. The London Marathon continues to be one of the most iconic events in the sporting calendar, attracting runners and spectators from all over the world.

Grete Waitz

Grete Waitz was a Norwegian long-distance runner who participated in the London Marathon. She won the London Marathon twice, in 1983 and 1986, and held several world records in long-distance running. Back in 1983, the London Marathon was completed in 2 hours, 25 minutes, and 56 seconds when Grete Waitz won it, breaking a world record at the time. However, in 1986, Grete Waitz finished the race with a slower time of 2 hours, 25 minutes, and 29 seconds, which was not a world record.

To understand the political structure and governance of London, one should ask the question how does London work. The London Marathon is an event that is annually organized by the London Marathon Charitable Trust under the supervision of the Greater London Authority, which is responsible for the planning, regulation, and support of major events in London. The London Marathon is one of the most significant sporting events in the world, attracting runners from different parts of the globe to the capital city of England. Furthermore, the London Marathon provides opportunities for charitable organizations to raise funds for their causes by sponsoring the runners who participate in the race.

Ingrid Kristiansen

Ingrid Kristiansen is a former Norwegian long-distance runner who participated in the London Marathon in 1985. She won the women’s race in a time of 2 hours, 21 minutes, and 6 seconds. This time set a new world record for the women’s marathon, which stood for over a decade.

Kristiansen’s victory was dominant, as she finished over eight minutes ahead of the second-place finisher. This was only her fourth marathon, and she had won her previous three races as well. Her victory in London cemented her place as one of the greatest long-distance runners in the world at the time.

Kristiansen continued to compete at a high level, winning several more major marathons in the years that followed. She also won numerous world championships and set several other world records in various distance events.

Overall, Kristiansen’s victory in the London Marathon in 1985 was a historic moment in the sport of long-distance running. Her world record time of 2:21:06 set a new standard for women’s marathon running and helped pave the way for future generations of female runners to push the limits of what was thought possible.

Wilson Kipsang

Wilson Kipsang set a new course record running the London Marathon in 2014. He finished the race in 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 29 seconds. This made him the only athlete to run the London Marathon in under 2 hours and 5 minutes at the time.

Kipsang’s proficiency in marathon running is proven through his achievements in other major marathons, such as winning the New York Marathon in 2014 and setting a world record in the Berlin Marathon in 2013.

The London Marathon is one of the biggest sporting events in the UK, attracting thousands of runners from around the world. The 26.2 mile course begins at Greenwich Park and passes many of London’s top tourist attractions, including the Tower of London, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace. Top tourist attractions can easily be accessed by using the London Underground with contactless.

Each year, the London Marathon raises millions of pounds for charity. In 2019 alone, over £66 million was raised for charity, making it one of the largest single-day charity events in the world. The London Marathon will continue to attract elite athletes like Wilson Kipsang, as well as amateur runners for many years to come.

Haile Gebrselassie

Haile Gebrselassie ran the London Marathon in the year 2002 and completed the race in a time of 2 hours, 6 minutes and 35 seconds. He won the race and set a new course record. Gebrselassie is a former long-distance running great from Ethiopia. He has won several Olympic medals and world championships during his career. He is considered as one of the greatest long-distance runners of all time. In the 2002 London Marathon, Gebrselassie was able to maintain a consistent pace throughout the race and pulled ahead of the other runners towards the end. His performance was a testament to his endurance, speed and strength as a runner.

When it comes to architecture, London compared to US cities has a distinct and unique charm. The city is known for its historic buildings, landmarks and modern skyscrapers. The London Marathon route takes runners through some of the most iconic areas of the city such as Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, and Buckingham Palace. The route passes by several historic landmarks and modern skyscrapers which make for a breathtaking and unforgettable experience.

Final conclusion

The London Marathon is one of the most popular and largest events in the global running calendar. The race is organized annually in London, United Kingdom, in the spring season, attracting more than 40,000 runners worldwide. The London Marathon distance measures 26.2 miles, which is equivalent to 42.195 kilometers, making it a challenging event that tests the endurance and mental strength of the runners. The course map of the London Marathon takes the runners through some of the most iconic landmarks of the city, such as Tower Bridge, the London Eye, and Buckingham Palace, creating an unforgettable experience for both the participants and spectators.

how long london marathon

The event’s first-ever edition took place in 1981, and it has since experienced tremendous growth to become one of the most competitive and iconic marathons worldwide. The London Marathon is open to both elite and amateur runners, who participate in various categories such as wheelchair races, elite men, elite women, and mass race. The event provides runners with a unique opportunity to test their physical and mental endurance while contributing to various charities worldwide.

The average running time for the London Marathon varies among participants, with the fastest runners finishing the course in under two hours, while the average time stands between three to six hours. However, the event’s organizers encourage runners to focus on completing the race rather than their finish time, making it a welcoming and inclusive event for all individuals. The London Marathon serves as a testament to the human spirit, with runners from diverse backgrounds and nationalities coming together to achieve a common goal – to cross the finish line.

In conclusion, the London Marathon is an iconic and challenging event that attracts thousands of runners globally. The race’s distance measures 26.2 miles, and it is open to both elite and amateur runners. The event’s course map takes the runners through some of London’s most iconic landmarks, creating an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. While the average time for completing the London Marathon varies among participants, the event’s organizers encourage runners to focus on completing the race rather than their finish time, making it a welcoming and inclusive event for all individuals.