Flora Marathon in London - 26th April 2009

The Marathon in London's reputation as world leader in big city marathons has grown immeasurably Come the month of April and the air of London is filled with enthusiasm. Everywhere you will find people exercising in parks and gym centers. Do not be surprise when you come across such scene. Young or old, every Londoner really look forward to London Marathon., it is the best time to put their best foot forward. Held every year in the month of April, London Marathon started first in 1981 and since then it is a regular yearly event in London. Currently the race is sponsored by Flora, as the Flora London Marathon.

Founded by the former Olympic champion and renowned journalist Chris Brasher and John Disley, London Marathon is one of the top five international marathons that run over the traditional distance of 42.195 km (26 miles and 385 yards). The outstanding number participants in London Marathon make it second only to the Great North Run in Newcastle. Charity is often associated with this sporting event where a very large amount of money is raised. It is now the largest annual fund raising event in the world according to the race organizers. In 2006, London Marathon participants raising over £41.5 million for charity, bringing the total amount raised for charity by runners, to a grand total of £315 million.

The Children's Trust, Tadworth is the official charity of the London Marathon in 2009 and Sunday April 26, 2009 is the date for London Marathon.

If you want to follow the marathon eagerly then you must know the route. Fast and flat is the course of the Flora London Marathon and usually runs along the River Thames on the south side and then the north side after crossing the river by the famous Tower Bridge. Marathoners will pass a number of famous London landmarks, including Tower of London, London eye and the 140-year-old clipper ship, Cutty Sark on the way from the start in Greenwich/Blackheath to Buckingham Palace. The organizers describe it as ‘An Historical Jog Around London’, because of the fastness and scenery of the course.

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Be there to witness this event and you will come to know why is marathon is so popular.

For most runners it is the spectators and entertainers around the Flora Marathon in London course that help to keep them on the move. Crowds of around 1/2 million line the 26.2 miles offering shouts of encouragement and congratulations. Pubs on the route link up with charities to provide their own entertainment for spectators and runners alike. The festival atmosphere is added to by an array of bands and street entertainers - the Race offers something for everyone, young and old, running or not running - it is a 26. 2 mile long street party.

We would suggest potential spectators aim to arrive early to get a good viewing position. The Highway will close to traffic at 09:15 am and the area will be busy with spectators from at least 09:30 am. The first competitors will pass the 13 mile point at around 09:55 am. These will be the wheelchair competitors, who will then be followed by the elite women, the elite men and then the mass field. In the opposite direction, the leaders will pass 21 miles at approximately 10:30 am. For those who wish to spend the whole day cheering on the runners, we expect the 6 hour plus runners to pass this point at around 2:30 pm

In its history, the course has remained relatively constant with the finish being the main point of change. Moving from Constitution Hill to Westminster Bridge in 1982, it stayed there until restoration work in 1993 saw it relocated to The Mall in 1994 where it has remained to date. These changes have necessitated route shifts to accommodate the full 26.2 mile distance while the building work around Canary Wharf also brought about slight variations. The start however has always been on Blackheath Common and Greenwich Park, with the route as a whole designed to follow the Thames as closely as possible and finish in the heart of the capital.

As a fundraising event, there is no marathon in the world that comes close to the Flora Marathon in London. One of the dominant images of the race is that of thousands clad in fancy dress, tramping the cobbles in support of charitable causes dressed as rhinos, football team mascots, giant trees and the like.
In 2002 a biennial survey by The Marathon in London Ltd reported that a record £31 million had been raised, a 25% increase on the 2000 figure. Since 1981 it is estimated that over £200 million has been raised for charities world-wide with 76% of competitors running for a cause close to their hearts. One third of the total amount of places offered to runners comes from charities who are awarded guaranteed places or Golden Bonds.
The Marathon in London also has its own Charitable Trust which distributes all profits made from their events to fund and part-fund recreational projects across the capital. Since the first Marathon in London in 1981 over £12million has been given in grants by the Trust to local community projects examples include: sports equipment for schools and community groups; ramps and lifts to help disabled people enjoy sports; establishing nature trails and to improve existing leisure facilities.

The Marathon in London provides:
- 710,000 bottles of water
- 950 portable toilets
- 500 stretchers
- 20,900 metres of barriers
- 68 ambulances