40,000 to tackle traditional London Marathon route this Sunday
Melanie May | 28 September 2021 | News
With the Virgin Money London Marathon taking place this Sunday, 3 October, around 40,000 participants will be tackling the traditional course from Greenwich to Westminster, with a further 40,000 expected to take on the virtual event.
Changes have also been made to ensure the event is run safely. Every single participant will need to show a negative lateral flow test to take part and there will be no baggage lorries making the journey from Greenwich to The Mall. Instead, kitbags will be dropped off by participants when they collect their bib numbers at the Virgin Money London Marathon Running Show, which is again taking place at the ExCeL London.
Participants are also being encouraged to wear a bottle belt to further reduce touchpoints on the day and have been asked to invite just one person to watch.
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Another difference to this year’s event will see participants setting off in more than 40 start waves across a 90-minute period. Those taking part will be given a three-minute window for their start time.
Virgin Money London Marathon Event Director Hugh Brasher commented:
“To have what we think will be 40,000 people running from Greenwich to Westminster and a similar number doing the virtual event in their communities makes this not just the biggest London Marathon ever but the biggest marathon ever in the world.
“We are all in a world that is so different, a world that none of us could have imagined 18 months ago. That is why the London Marathon and our campaign ‘We Run Together’ is important and will make this the most meaningful London Marathon that there has ever been in the history of the event.
“Through the pandemic, charities have lost more than £10 billion and this will be one of the greatest days of the year for charity fundraising in times that have been incredibly difficult.
“Runners in the London Marathon over the last 40 years have raised more than £1 billion for good causes. And with people running from their communities around the globe, and people running from Greenwich to Westminster, we will have the most inclusive marathon in the world.”
This Sunday’s event will be the 41st London Marathon, with it last held in 2019. Next year’s is also set to take place in October, with a return to the traditional April date from 2023. 2022 will also see a change of sponsorship as Tata Consultancy Services takes over the title partnership from Virgin Money after this year’s race. It has been the event’s technology partner since 2016, and will support the event for 6 years.
Main image: 2018 Virgin Money Giving London Marathon. Copyright Virgin Money London Marathon. Jed Leicester for Virgin Money London Marathon
About Melanie May
Melanie May is a journalist and copywriter specialising in writing both for and about the charity and marketing services sectors since 2001. She can be reached via thepurplepim.com.