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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:
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
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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.