London Marathon

London Marathon: The Grandeur of an Event in Its Purest Form

The New York Marathon sparked envy worldwide when it gained international attention in the 70s. The allure of the iconic 42.195 km distance was widely recognized. Indeed, it was 11 years after the first edition of the American behemoth that the British capital launched its own marathon.

On March 29, 1981, 7,747 participants lined up at the start of the first London Marathon. The enthusiasm for the event was so strong that the organizers at the time (including John Disley) received no fewer than 20,000 applications to secure a race bib and take part in the race. The following year, it happened again, with 90,000 applications flooding the organizers’ mailboxes. Ultimately, 18,059 runners took off from Greenwich Park. This popularity has never waned. On the contrary, the race is now held by lottery and typically welcomes around 36,000 participants. The phenomenon is easily explained: London is renowned as one of the world’s most beautiful places to run.

The marathon boasts extraordinary landmarks, such as running along the Thames, offering views of London’s iconic sites. The course also includes a passage over the Tower Bridge, and then towards the Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, and St. James’s Park. The British capital has managed to turn its marathon into an icon of running worldwide.

It is even part of the six Abott World Marathon Majors, alongside Boston, New York, Berlin, Chicago, and Tokyo. It’s safe to say it’s part of the discipline’s holy grail. However, the London Marathon is also famous for setting the world record for the largest charity fundraising. For its 44th edition, held on April 21, 2024, the organization raised 67 million pounds, nearly 80 million euros. It is the largest charitable event of its kind.