The forty fifth version of the occasion will happen on the streets of the British capital subsequent month
The TCS London Marathon has unveiled its World Athletics Heritage Plaque, precisely a month earlier than the forty fifth version of the occasion (March 27).
The plaque, which was offered on the organisation’s headquarters in central London, was awarded to the London Marathon for “its excellent contribution to the game of athletics”.
The World Athletics Heritage Plaque is a location-based recognition and is given for “an impressive contribution to the worldwide historical past and improvement of the game of observe and subject athletics and of out-of-stadia athletics disciplines reminiscent of cross nation, mountain, street, path and ultra-running, and race strolling”.
The London Marathon was co-founded by Chris Brasher, who gained 3000m steeplechase gold on the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and helped tempo Sir Roger Bannister to the primary sub-four-minute mile and John Disley, who secured 3000m steeplechase bronze within the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and later performed a key position within the improvement of the course measurement.
Dick Beardsley and Inge Simonsen (Getty)
They have been impressed to create the London Marathon following a go to to the New York Metropolis Marathon in 1979. Greater than 4 many years on, their founding goals, which included “to have enjoyable and supply some happiness and sense of accomplishment in a troubled world”, are nonetheless on the forefront of the occasion.
The primary London Marathon again in 1981 had fewer than 7000 finishers and this yr it’s anticipated that greater than 56,000 folks will cross the long-lasting end line on The Mall, which might be a brand new world report (New York holds the present mark with 55,646).
“For those who suppose what the London Marathon has achieved over its 45 years, it’s modified the face of working,” mentioned Nick Bitel, London Marathon Group CEO, who unveiled the plaque. “Again in 1981 it was considerably uncommon to see folks working for pleasure and it was all about excellence and instances. Now, by means of occasions just like the London Marathon, working to your well being and pleasure is necessary.
“The London Marathon has at all times been actually rooted within the communities that host it.”
Hear from London Marathon Group CEO Nick Bitel on the forty fifth version of the occasion this April 💬
Yesterday, the London Marathon unveiled their World Athletics Heritage Plaque, awarded for “its… pic.twitter.com/4nntk6PbI5
— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) March 28, 2025
“It’s not inconceivable [one million people could apply for the 2026 London Marathon]. We actually didn’t anticipate 840,000 folks to use for this yr’s occasion! That was up from 560,000 final yr. It simply exhibits how narrative pushed the London Marathon is and the flexibility for tales to make a distinction.
“Sure after all, we have now incredible athletes who’ve raced on the London Marathon, however extraordinary runners are inclined to even have extraordinary tales. A number of the most watched clips from final yr’s version weren’t from the elite athletes however from these with an unimaginable journey that resonates with most people. It’s about inspiring exercise and considering that that is for anybody.”
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