The London Marathon attracts a diverse group of athletes, from the world’s greatest long-distance runners hoping to improve their personal bests to those whose ultimate dream is to be in the Guinness Book of Records for the most absurd outfits and feats. In the lead-up to the first few London Marathons, nobody knew the scale and success of what it would become.
At the London Marathon’s debut on 29 March 1981, Norway’s Inge Simonsen and Dick Beardsley of the US were among the thousands eagerly waiting at the starting line. The two men had challenged each other before and were keen rivals, so neither of them expected to finish in the manner they did.
The next London Marathon - if no longer restricted by coronavirus - is likely to have the largest turnout yet, with a range of races that will include elite, wheelchair and all abilities. If you’re one of the thousands who plan on running, it is likely that you will have been preparing for months. Whether you feel fully ready to take on the streets of London or you don’t know what you have let yourself in for, here are the top tips that have come from the millions of marathon runners before you.