Eye on London - Everything you need to know about the London Marathon 2017

London from the inside Monday 17th - Sunday 23rd April 2017

We love the different, changing seasons in the UK, but wow is it nice when the sun comes out! Festival season is nearly here, talks of Ibiza are starting and race season has well and truly begun. Brighton and Paris Marathons happened a week ago, Boston yesterday and our favourite is coming this weekend… the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon.

THE LONDON MARATHON 2017

The first Marathon was held on 29th March 1981 with 6,255 finishing. Just under 40,000 are likely to finish this year. The race was founded by Chris Brasher and John Disley after Brasher was inspired by running the New York Marathon in 1979. After completing it he wrote:

“To believe this story you must believe that the human race be one joyous family, working together, laughing together, achieving the impossible.”

When does it start?

Races begin at 8.55am with the elite Men and mass start at 10am.

How far is it?

26.2 miles or 26 miles, 385 yards.

Where’s the best place to watch?

Plan places before you go and use London Underground, Overground and DLR to travel around. There are some good places in Canary Wharf and Shadwell with race switchbacks so you can see runners twice. The penultimate mile on Embankment is always a good place to offer support too. Bring your best clapping hands and jelly babies to dish out!

Some celebs to try and spot...

• Chris Evans - BBC Children in Need
• James Cracknell - Headway and RNLI
• Jenni Falconer - Cancer Research UK
• Quinton Fortune - Manchester United Foundation
• Gilles Peterson - The Steve Reid Foundation
• Scouting For Girls - The Alzheimer's Society

Who will win and how fast will they run?

Last year’s winner Kebede is favourite followed by Patrick Makau. Andrew Lemoncello is thought to be Britain’s best chance with odds of 100/1. Ladbrokes are offering 6/4 odds that there’ll be a new course record (currently held by Samuel Wanjiru 2.05.09 from 2009) and 14/1 that there’ll be a new world record (currently held by Haile Gebrselassie 2.03.59 from 2008).

I’m inspired, how can I enter next year?

Details are not confirmed yet but the ballot will likely open up for entries at the beginning of May for five days like it did last year.

 

If you’re running it tweet us to let us know @TheLondonEye and download our Spotify London Marathon playlist for the best tunes to get you through. Good luck!

ON THIS DAY… 19th April 1897

The first ever Boston Marathon was held with 15 runners starting but only 10 finishing. John J. McDermott of New York won with a time of 2:55:10.

EYE ON… BARNET

There are 32 capsules on The Coca-Cola London Eye, representing the 32 London boroughs, so each week we explore a different London borough.

It’s St George’s Day on Sunday 23rd April and here’s five of the best pubs (according to the locals) to celebrate in if you’re Barnet way.

1. The Butchers Arms
2. Lord Kitchener
3. The Osidge Arms
4. Prince of Wales
5. The Black Horse

 

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