A record number of people will take part in the London Marathon on Sunday.
More than 50,000 people will rush through the capital on what is expected to be a dry, clear day with temperatures of up to 12°C (53.6°F).
There will be 30 seconds of applause before the start in memory of the winner of last year’s elite men’s race Kelvin Kiptumwho died in a car accident in February, aged 24.
He set a new London Marathon record of two hours, one minute and 25 seconds last year with his third victory, and set a new world record of two hours and 35 seconds during the Chicago race in October.
This year’s marathon will also be the first time that wheelchair and able-bodied athletes will receive the same prize money for a marathon.
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All four winners of the elite races will receive £44,000, with second place receiving £24,000 and third place £18,000.
David Weir. Photo: PA
David Weir, who will run his 25th consecutive London Marathon on Sunday and has won eight times, said he did not expect change to happen in his life.
Event director Hugh Brasher said the event will be “more inclusive than ever before”, with support for more than 200 disabled participants, as well as a worship space and a quiet space for neurodivergent participants in the arrivals area.
Female urinals, sanitary products and a family support area that includes a private breastfeeding area will be available.
Jasmin Paris, the first woman to complete the ultra-endurance Barkley Marathons, will start the elite women’s race at 9:25 am.
Dame Kelly Holmes, who won two gold medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics, will start the elite men’s race and mass event at 10am.
Attendees will include 20 MPs and peers, the largest number in the event’s history, including Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.
Russian Cook
“Much harder” Russian Cookwho finished the race across Africa on April 7th, will also participate.
The 2023 marathon, the world’s biggest annual one-day fundraising event, raised £63 million for thousands of charities.
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