Categories: Sports

London Marathon 2013: Ten little known facts about world famous endurance race

London Marathon 2013, one of the biggest participation sport events in the UK, takes place on Sunday, April 21.

The race will feature in excess of 36,000 runners as they make the 26-mile, 385 yard journey from Blackheath to The Mall.

The London Marathon facts:

  1. The name “marathon” comes from the name of a Greek battlefield, from which messenger Pheidippides ran the 24.8 miles to Athens to announce the Greeks’ victory over the Persians. After delivering his message, he collapsed and died from exhaustion.
  2. The 2011 winner, Kenya’s Emmanuel Mutai, completed the London Marathon in a new course record of 2:02.40.
  3. Lloyd Scott competed in London Marathon 2002 wearing a 110 lb deep-sea diving suit. It took him five days and eight hours to complete the course, breaking the world record for the slowest marathon time. It’s a record that will remain unbroken, as London Marathon officials have set a maximum time limit of 24 hours. Lloyd Scott has also completed the course dressed as a snail, St George and Indiana Jones.

    London Marathon 2013, one of the biggest participation sport events in the UK, takes place on Sunday, April 21

  4. The blue paint that marks out the course is steam-cleaned off as the last runner passes so the streets of London are returned to their pristine condition without delay.
  5. Journalist and former conservative politician Matthew Parris holds the record for the fastest MP to complete the London Marathon. He nailed the 26 miles in 2 hours and 32 minutes in 1985.
  6. In 2011 football freestyler John Farnworth completed the course in 12 hours 15 minutes, juggling a football for the entire distance. He didn’t drop the ball once.
  7. Notable celebrities who have run the marathon include Richard Dunwoody, Gordon Ramsay, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Graham Taylor, Jeffrey Archer, Lorraine Kelly, Nell McAndrew and Sophie Anderton.
  8. In 2005 Paula Radcliffe was caught short and had to relieve herself mid-race.
  9. Marathon runners travel further than the longest bus route in London – the X26 from Croydon to Heathrow – which is 23.75 miles long.
  10. The London Marathon was the first to be run over 26.2 miles as during the 1908 Olympics the Royal Box lay 385 yards beyond the 26 mile finish line. The race was therefore extended so the finish was beneath the Royal Box. The marathon has kept its extra 0.2 of a mile ever since.
QC2Ct4Nae9o
Clyde K. Valle

Clyde is a business graduate interested in writing about latest news in politics and business. He enjoys writing and is about to publish his first book. He’s a pet lover and likes to spend time with family. When the time allows he likes to go fishing waiting for the muse to come.

Recent Posts

Donald Trump and Elon Musk Celebrate Election Victory at UFC 309

Image source: Wikimedia Commons President-elect Donald Trump celebrated his election victory at the Ultimate Fighting…

5 days ago

White House 2024: Donald Trump Wins, Kamala Harris Calls Him to Concede Election

Millions of voters across the US chose to return Donald Trump to the White House…

2 weeks ago

Who Won? Donald Trump Declares Victory as He Addresses Jubilant Supporters in Florida

Donald Trump declares victory in the US election as he addresses jubilant supporters in Florida.…

2 weeks ago

Stocks Soaring as Donald Trump Closes in on US Victory

Stocks around the world are rising as Donald Trump appears to be on the cusp…

2 weeks ago

Who Won? Kamala Harris Cancels Election Night Party as Path to Victory Narrows

Donald Trump has won Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia and taken a lead over Kamala…

2 weeks ago

Quincy Jones Dead at 91

Quincy Jones, the celebrated musician and producer who worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray…

2 weeks ago