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Top 10 Facts About the London Marathon 

Maybe you are a new runner and you’re trying to complete your local 5K in a  few months. Or maybe you are an avid runner who wants to complete a marathon next year. Whatever the case, learning as much as you can about marathon races is not only inspiring, but it can help you as your love for your new running hobby progresses!

Along with those with a passion for fitness, almost every person is at least a little bit curious as to the fascination behind the London Marathon. Check out some of these historical facts about a world-renowned race and why it could end up being something to cross off of your bucket list! This marathon is one of the greatest races in the entire world -and for good reason.

What is the history of the London marathon?

2006 winner Felix Limo – By flickr user adrianclark – https://www.flickr.com/photos/adrianclark/134091498/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5979444

Are you wondering about the history of this race? So were we – turns out, the first race was held back in 1981, over 140 years ago! There were more than 20,000 people who tried to get accepted into the race, and only 6,747 were accepted – this is less than 40% of those who wanted to try their luck on this tough course! 

Organization of the marathon

Turns out, with all of these applicants there needs to be some serious organization and planning before, during, and after the race – go figure. The director of the London marathon, Dan Pedoe, was in charge for over 2 decades. He was the main man who helped direct and organize the race from 1981 until 2005, taking charge from the first race for over 25 years. After his retirement, Sanjay Sharma took over in 2006 and has been the director ever since. He is the person in charge of over 1,500 medical volunteers who help along the route with people who may have issues, questions, or concerns. 

Course details

Course map – By © OpenStreetMap contributors – http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=51.4889&lon=-0.0633&zoom=13&layers=M, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25745067

Knowing the details of the course can be one of the deciding factors in people who decide to either attempt – or not attempt – the race. Every year, the course begins at either one of three locations: Greenwich Park, St. John’s Park, or Shooter’s Hill Road. From these points, the route will go through Charlton and pass by the Royal Artillery Barracks. After the athletes complete 10kmof running through London, the course will detour past Deptford, Surrey Quays, Bermondsey, and Tower Bridge – a welcome tourist sight for this long race.

Once they have passed Tower Bridge, the runners will continue on towards the Isle of Dogs and Canary Wharf along the water. The last portion of the marathon route will pass by Commercial Road, Upper Thames Street, The Tower of London, and finish in with the quintessential icons of Big Ben and St James’ Palace in their eyesight. 

There have been minimal changes in the route over the years

Men’s wheelchair competitors in April 2008 – By Stephen Craven, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13437614

Although people may think the route changes almost every year, there have been many changes since its inception in 1981. Some of the few changes were moving the finishing line in 1982 to Westminster Bridge due to ongoing construction, changing the direction of the loop in 2005, and adding a spectator-friendly cheering section to mile 21.

The finish line changed at one point 

An HDR image of Parliament and Westminster Bridge – By By Graeme Maclean – originally posted to Flickr as hdr parliament, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7042940

At one point in the race’s history, between 1982-1993, the finish line of the iconic race finished on Westminster Bridge. However, it was moved in 1994 so construction could take place on the bridge. 

Results in the race

The top three men – By Top_Three_Men_at_London_Marathon_2009.jpg: SNappa2006derivative work: SilkTork (talk) – Top_Three_Men_at_London_Marathon_2009.jpg, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11646126

The first men’s elite race ended in a tie due to the good sportsmanship between Dick Beardsley, an American elite runner, and Inge Simonsen, an elite Norwegian, who finished in tandem at 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 48 seconds. The women’s elite race had one winner, Joyce Smith, who crossed the finish line in an impressive 2 hours, 29 minutes, and 57 seconds. 

World records have been set – and you won’t believe the times!

Paula Radcliffe London marathon 2005 – By Tom Corser www.tomcorser.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11645949

The world record for the London Marathon was set in 2017 with Mary Ketinary who crossed the finish line in just 2 hours, 17 minutes, and 1 second. Before she broke the record, the course record had stood for over 20 years! After Mary broke the record in 2017, Eliud Kipchoge ran an astonishing time of 2 hours, 2 minutes, and 37 seconds in 2019 to set the men’s record.

Can amateurs join the race? Yes! 

Amateurs running in the race – By Chmee2 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25695881

Along with the elite-level athletes who are churning out world record times, the majority of racers in this London trek are amateurs. After all, most people enjoy running as a hobby and a release to do before or after work – so you will find the majority of applicants and runners being very-fit amateurs who are running for personal reasons, fitness, or charitable causes. Some of the most memorable charitable causes were Sir Redgrave who collected £1.8 million in donations before completing the race. 

The sponsor has changed over the years

SIPCOT TCS OFFICE – By Naveen.kumar.kotta – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=59552859

The first sponsor of the marathon was Gillette, but has since changed to Tata Consultancy Services for the newest race in 2022!

Who is the fittest group of people? Spoiler alert: it’s not Gen-Zers 

Marathon runners – By Chris Hunkeler from Carlsbad, California, USA – Ludovic and LaurenUploaded by High Contrast, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24619561

According to race data over the previous years, the fastest runners in the marathon belong to the 35-44 age group for men and women.

Think you’re too old to work out? Think again

Boston marathon mile – CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113225

The oldest person to complete the race was Jenny Wood-Allen, finishing the London Marathon in 2002 at an impressive 90 years old – it took her 11 hours and 34 minutes to complete the 26-mile course.