The TCS London Marathon will take place on Sunday 21st April. In this annual sporting event, more than 50,000 people participate in the gruelling 26.2m race, raising a whopping £1.2 billion for worthy causes. The event also includes races for 7,000 children in a 1 mile and 2.6km race, wheelchair races and this year, the elite races include 43 men and 20 women.
The schedule is:
09.05 – Wheelchair Races
09.25 – Elite Women
10.00 – Elite Men and Masses
TV coverage will be provided by the BBC from 8.30am to 3pm, with highlights at 6-7pm on Sunday.
Prize money has been a topic of debate this year. Winners of the men’s and women’s elite races earn USD $55,000 (c. £44,000), with the runners-up earning $30,000 and third place $22,500. In a world first, however, London Marathon organisers have decided to pay the elite wheelchair athletes the same prize money as their able-bodied counterparts – progress!
Helping to facilitate the race, the City of London Police have advised that a number of roads along the route will be closed. You can find the full details here:
The course has remained largely unchanged since 1981, starting in Greenwich Park and ending in The Mall crossing Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace along the way.
Race-day travel is free for runners who flash their race number on the Underground, Overground, Bus Network, TfL Rail, DLR and relevant Southeastern trains that get you to the start line.
If you have any questions or require further assistance in relation to transportation, contact the London Marathon Customer Services Team at tcslondonmarathon.com/help/contact-us or Transport for London’s website for journey planning.
If you’ve never attended before, I highly recommend doing so. It’s an electric atmosphere and a great way to support so many good causes.
Very best of luck to all of the participants!
