about THE LONDON MARATHON
did you know?...

Why 26.2 Miles?

It was 1908 and London was hosting the Olympic Games. The organisers were faced with a dilemma. The Royal Box lay just 385 yards beyond the 26 mile finish line. So, not wishing to offend members of the Royal Family, the marathon distance was extended to 26 miles 385 yards to allow the finish line to fall infront of the Royal Box! Ever since this momentous change, the marathon has been run to precisely 26.2 miles.

The London Marathon provides:

710,000 bottles of water

950 portable toilets

500 stretchers

20,900 metres of barriers

68 ambulances

Record Holders

Men - Khalid Khannouchi (USA) finished in 2.05:38 in 2002 
Women - Paula Radcliffe (GBR) finished in 2.15:25 in 2003