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The London Marathon takes place today and the ‘Hardest Geezer’ Russ Cook, the endurance athlete who recently ran the length of Africa, will be among the record number of people taking part in the 26-mile run.
More than 50,000 elite and charitable runners are taking to the streets of the capital on what is forecast to be a dry and bright Sunday with cool temperatures of 12C. This year’s race will mark the first time that wheelchair and non-disabled athletes have received the same prize money for a marathon.
A world record 578,000 people entered the ballot for this event, making it the most popular marathon in the world. There will be a host of celebrities including EastEnders cast members Emma Barton and Jamie Borthwick who will run as part of a storyline in which their characters Honey and Jay run in memory of Jay’s late wife, Lola (played by Danielle Harold), who died of a brain tumour in 2023.
Follow all the latest updates from the London Marathon below.
London Marathon 2024
Show latest update 1713697827
British duo shine in men’s race
In good news for British running, Emile Cairess and Mahamed Muhamed finish third and fourth – setting the second and third fastest times in British marathon running history behind only Mo Farah – and they have done enough to book their places at the Paris Olympics this summer.
Emile Cairess finished third at the London Marathon (Getty Images)
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 12:10
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Alexander Mutiso Munyao wins London Marathon!
Alexander Mutiso Munyao falls to his knees and marks a cross on his chest. It is by far the biggest win of the 27-year-old’s life, and is made all the more poignant by the death of his teammate and last year’s winner, Kelvin Kiptum.
Alexander Mutiso Munyao saw off Kenyaenisa Bekele (Getty Images)
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 12:07
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Alexander Mutiso Munyao closes in on men’s marathon victory
In the men’s edition, Kenya’s Alexander Mutiso Munyao and the great Kenenisa Bekele pulled clear to make it a two-horse race, and now Munyao has left Bekele behind on Victoria Embankment and is nearing victory…
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 12:02
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Peres Jepchirchir wins London Marathon and breaks world record
Jepchirchir collapses in a heap with emotion. Her time is confirmed as 2hr 16min 16sec, breaking the women’s-only world record by 45 seconds.
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 11:50
1713696389
Peres Jepchirchir wins London Marathon and breaks world record!
Peres Jepchirchir storms away from her fellow leaders in the front quartet! She clinches victory in a world record time, which will be confirmed shortly. The Kenyan is the reigning Olympic champion and will go down as one of the greatest marathon runners of all time – and this is another special moment.
Tigst Assefa was the favourite, but can only make the podium in a stunning race.
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 11:46
1713695506
David Weir: ‘I just wanted to be on the podium’
Here’s the great David Weir reflecting on a third-placed finish in his 25th London Marathon:
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 11:31
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London Marathon 2024
Behind the elite runners, the masses are well into their race today…
The men’s elite race crosses Tower Bridge (REUTERS)Masses of runners leaving the start (Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)‘Hardest Geezer’ Russ Cook during the marathon (Zac Goodwin/PA Wire)
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 11:26
1713695000
Women’s race set for world record
The lead quartet in the women’s elite race – Tigst Assefa, Peres Jepchirchir, Joyciline Jepkosgei and Megertu Alemu – are under world record pace. One of the four is almost certainly going to make history today.
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 11:23
1713694652
Eden Rainbow-Cooper takes sixth in women’s wheelchair race
A tough race for Britain’s Eden Rainbow-Cooper, and a decent result following her Boston win.
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 11:17
1713694246
Tigst Assefa pushing hard for women’s world record
Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa has moved back to the front of the women’s elite race in order to keep the pace high. Ideally she’d nestle in behind some of her rivals to shelter from the wind in a race where every second counts, but she can’t afford to have any slow (used advisedly) kilometres. Her goal? To break 2hr 17min 01sec.
Tigst Assefa, second left, is looking to clinch another landmark win (Yui Mok/PA Wire)
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 11:10
