When the London Marathon returned to the streets of the capital, there were lots of smiles and even sunshine.
After last year’s race was abolished due to COVID-19 restrictions, more than 40,000 runners worked on the traditional 26.2 miles (42.1 kilometers) route from Greenwich to the mall.
After Olympic BMX silver medalist Kye Whyte started the main race, marathon organizer Virgin Money London said, “I’m glad I came back because I have a lot of smiles.”
It’s been 889 days since the last spectacular colorful charity in front of the cheering crowd.
A flock of fun runners wore ridiculous costumes, dressed as rhinos, bumblebees, superheroes, and giant nurses, and raised money for their favorite charity.
Since the race was first held in March 1981, the London Marathon Charity Trust has awarded more than £ 93 million ($ 126 million) to more than 1,490 projects across London and the United Kingdom.
The race, which took place under a cloudy sky with strong winds and sunny days, was a dry start.
Former Health Minister Matt Hancock with a smile raised his thumb after finishing the run.
Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth had previously wanted to do his best to Hancock, who ran for local hospice, but jokingly said, “I obviously don’t agree with him politically, but it works. Hope [wish I was running now just so I could beat him!]”
Labor Rep. Charlotte Nichols ran for the Wallington Wolf Foundation to support local projects that address a variety of issues, including holiday hunger and fostering good mental health.
Scott Mitchell, the widow of Dame Barbara Windsor, ran a marathon in her memory and supported the work of Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Dame Barbara, known as Peggy Mitchell, the landlady of EastEnders, who starred in the Carry On movie, died in December 2020 at the age of 83 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Many retired sports stars, including former London Marathon winner Liz McCorgan, soccer player Danny Mills, and Olympic gold medalist cyclist Dani Rowe, also attended by attracting trainers.
Former rugby league players Jamie Peacock and Kevin Sinfield have joined the charity. Rob Barrow, a former Leeds Rhino’s scrum-half diagnosed with motor neuron disease in 2019, wrote on Twitter: I am very proud to call you a friend. “
Two-time Olympic rowing champion James Cracknell crossed the line in less than two hours and 55 minutes. He told the BBC:
“They did most of the training themselves when they weren’t allowed outside. To be honest, it was last year that everyone was heading in the same direction, even if no one disagrees. This is the first time in half a year.
“It’s really great to be British, to support your peers, partners, charities and keep applauding everyone else.”
Claire Lomas, a formidable fundraiser who is paralyzed below her chest, said it would be a “tough push” as she participated in full motorcycle gear.
Lomas, who became the first person to complete a marathon in a “bionic” suit in 2012, returned her in a horseback accident in 2007 and raised thousands of pounds for philanthropy. Turned a catastrophic injury into a positive one.
DJ Chris Evans, veterinarian Noel Fitzpatrick, actress Tanya Franks, and former “Blue Peter” presenter Peter Duncan were among the runners.
For runners who took a quirky approach to racing, it was flooded with strange and wonderful world records.
The title of the fastest marathon runner dressed as a three-dimensional plant was Jane Folkner at 4:05:18, and Jez Clements, who ran as a vendor from “Futurama”, was the fastest three-dimensional male TV character at 3:55:27. ..
Siddharth Paralkar, who completed the course at 3:50:44, was the fastest male marathon runner in a safari suit, and Liv Anderson, who appeared as Henry VIII, finished at 3:39:50 and became the fastest woman. Monarch.
According to the Guinness World Records, Troy Baxter and Kelly Bren, who recorded 3:30:08, are the fastest pair of women to race in handcuffs.
Sarah Dajon and Max Livingstone Reamance, dressed as dogs, were the fastest two-person costumes at 3:17:12.
Last year’s marathon was replaced by a virtual run where participants chose their own route, and this year an additional 40,000 participants will participate in virtual events to win medals.
Sunday’s outing was the first time two events had taken place at the same time, and the first time runners worked on the traditional marathon route in October instead of spring.
Also, there was no bag drop at the start and the runner was asked to leave his belongings on the finish line of the ExCel Center instead when collecting the numbers.
No volunteer had a medal hanging around the finisher’s neck. Instead, they found their medals in the bag.
Rather than large groups waiting together at the start line, participants departed this year with more than 40 waves in 90 minutes, without an official pacemaker.
The running person had to be able to show that the immunochromatography of COVID-19 was negative.
Sisai Rema became the first men’s race winner with an impressive 2:04:01 run, and Joysilin Jepkosgay won the Women’s Erie Race at a time of 2:17:42.
Both Marcel Hug and Manuela Schär have set course records for winning men’s and women’s wheelchair races.
Eight-time winner of the 22nd London Marathon in a row to finish third in the men’s wheelchair race, David Weir told the BBC, “It’s good to go back to the old course and get a little crowd support. That’s it. “
Helen William
follow