History of London Marathon in Timeline

The London Marathon, an annual race in London, England, was established in 1981 by Chris Brasher and John Disley. Typically held in April, it was shifted to October between 2020 and 2022 because of the pandemic. The course is mainly flat, following the River Thames, and spans from Blackheath to The Mall. Hugh Brasher currently serves as race director, with Nick Bitel as its chief executive.

1909: First Polytechnic Marathon

The Polytechnic Marathon, also known as the Poly, was first held in 1909, predating the current London Marathon.

1966: Release of The Trap film

In 1966, the film "The Trap", starring Oliver Reed and Rita Tushingham, was released. Its score, written by Ron Goodwin and performed by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, later became the theme tune for the BBC's London Marathon coverage.

March 1981: First London Marathon

On March 29, 1981, the first London Marathon was held, with 6,255 participants crossing the finish line.

1981: First London Marathon Medical Director

Dan Tunstall Pedoe was the medical director of the London Marathon starting with the first one in 1981.

1981: Gillette becomes the London Marathon's first sponsor

In 1981, Gillette became the original sponsors of the London Marathon.

1981: London Marathon Founded

In 1981, athletes Chris Brasher and John Disley founded the annual London Marathon, which is typically held in April.

1981: Inaugural Men's and Women's Elite Race

In 1981, the first Men's Elite Race was tied between Dick Beardsley and Inge Simonsen, while Joyce Smith won the first Women's Elite Race.

1981: "Ever Presents" Started Completing Marathons

Since 1981, a small number of runners, known as the "Ever Presents", have completed each of the London Marathons.

1981: BBC Broadcasts Live Coverage

The BBC has broadcast live coverage of the London Marathon since its inception in 1981.

1982: Finishing Post Moved

In 1982, the finishing post was moved from Constitution Hill to Westminster Bridge due to construction works.

1983: End of Gillette sponsorship

In 1983, Gillette's sponsorship of the London Marathon concluded.

1983: Grete Waitz Breaks Women's World Record

In 1983, Grete Waitz broke the women's marathon world record at the London Marathon.

1983: First Wheelchair Marathon Race

In 1983, the first wheelchair marathon race was held at the London Marathon, helping to reduce the stigma surrounding disabled athletes.

1984: Mars becomes the London Marathon's sponsor

In 1984, Mars took over from Gillette as the sponsor of the London Marathon.

1984: BBC Broadcasts Race in Full

Since 1984, the BBC has broadcast the London Marathon race in full.

1985: Ingrid Kristiansen Breaks Women's World Record

In 1985, Ingrid Kristiansen broke the women's marathon world record at the London Marathon.

1988: End of Mars sponsorship

In 1988, Mars' sponsorship of the London Marathon came to an end.

1989: ADT becomes the London Marathon's sponsor

In 1989, ADT became the sponsor of the London Marathon.

1992: End of ADT sponsorship

In 1992, ADT's sponsorship of the London Marathon ended.

1993: NutraSweet becomes the London Marathon's sponsor

In 1993, NutraSweet became the sponsor of the London Marathon.

1995: End of NutraSweet sponsorship

In 1995, NutraSweet's sponsorship of the London Marathon ended.

1995: "Ever Presents" List First Established

In 1995, the list of "Ever Presents", runners who have completed each London Marathon since 1981, was first established.

1996: Flora becomes the London Marathon's sponsor

In 1996, Flora became the sponsor of the London Marathon.

1996: Polytechnic Marathon Ends

In 1996, the Polytechnic Marathon ceased due to the London Marathon's increased popularity.

2002: Khalid Khannouchi Breaks Men's World Record

In 2002, Khalid Khannouchi broke the men's marathon world record at the London Marathon.

2002: Lloyd Scott's Slowest Marathon

In 2002, Lloyd Scott completed the marathon in a deep sea diving suit, setting a record for the slowest London Marathon time.

April 2003: Michael Watson Finishes Marathon

On 19 April 2003, Michael Watson, who had been told he would never be able to walk again, finished the marathon in six days.

2003: Paula Radcliffe Breaks Women's Record

In 2003, Paula Radcliffe broke the women's marathon world record at the London Marathon.

2003: Sanjay Sharma Shadows Pedoe

In 2003, Pedoe was shadowed by Sanjay Sharma from St George's Hospital (University of London).

2005: Dan Tunstall Pedoe Stepped Down As Medical Director

Dan Tunstall Pedoe was the medical director of the London Marathon for 25 years between the first one in 1981 until 2005.

2005: Paula Radcliffe Breaks Women's Record

In 2005, Paula Radcliffe broke the women's marathon world record at the London Marathon.

2005: Course Amendments in 2005

In 2005, course amendments to the London Marathon saw the cobbled section by the Tower of London replaced with a flat stretch along the Highway.

2005: Route Changes

In 2005, the route around the Isle of Dogs was switched from a clockwise to an anti-clockwise direction, and at 35 km the route was diverted to avoid St Katherine Docks.

2006: Sanjay Sharma Takes Over As Medical Director

In 2006, Sanjay Sharma from St George's Hospital (University of London) took over the role of medical director of the London Marathon.

2006: Sir Steve Redgrave Sets Fundraising Record

In 2006, Sir Steve Redgrave set a new Guinness World Record for money raised through a marathon, collecting £1.8 million in sponsorship.

2006: London Marathon Part of World Marathon Majors

Since 2006, the elite race has been part of the World Marathon Majors, which includes seven of the world's top level marathon races.

2007: Race Followed Same Path as 2009

In 2007, the London Marathon race followed the same path as in 2009 after a diversion in 2008 due to a gas leak.

2007: BBC Highlight Presenters

Jonathan Edwards was the highlight presenter on BBC Two from 2007.

2008: Virgin Money signs sponsorship deal

In 2008, Virgin Money signed a five-year £17m sponsorship deal to sponsor the London Marathon from 2010.

2008: Course Diverted Due to Gas Leak

In 2008, a suspected gas leak at a pub in Wapping caused the London Marathon course to be diverted.

2009: Total Participants Since Inception

As of 2009, 746,635 people have completed the London Marathon since its inception.

2009: End of Flora sponsorship

In 2009, Flora's sponsorship of the London Marathon came to an end.

2009: Race Followed Same Path as 2007

In 2009, the London Marathon race followed the same path as in 2007 after a diversion in 2008 due to a gas leak.

2010: Virgin Money becomes the London Marathon's sponsor

In 2010, Virgin Money began sponsoring the London Marathon.

2010: Largest Field of Runners

In 2010, the London Marathon had its biggest field since the race began, with 36,549 people crossing the finish line.

2011: Steve Chalke Raised Fundraising Record

In 2011, Chalke raised a new record £2.32 million.

2012: Part of 2012 Olympic Marathon Course

In 2012, the final section of the London Marathon route was part of the Olympic Marathon Course.

2012: Claire Squires' Fundraising After Death

In 2012, the £500 that Claire Squires collected before the race increased to over £1 million after she died having collapsed during the race.

2012: Cheer Zone Established

Since 2012 mile 21 has become a significant cheer zone with Run Dem Crew transforming the stretch of Commercial Road outside the former Limehouse Town Hall into a street party with music and confetti cannons.

April 2013: London Marathon renews sponsorship deal with Virgin Money

In April 2013, the London Marathon renewed its sponsorship deal with Virgin Money for another five years and the race changed its name to the Virgin Money London Marathon.

2013: Security Review After Boston Bombing

Following the Boston Marathon bombing, organizers of the 2013 London Marathon reviewed security arrangements and held a 30-second silence to show respect and support.

2013: BBC Highlight Presenters

Sonali Shah was the highlight presenter on BBC Two in 2013.

2014: BBC Highlight Presenters

Helen Skelton was the highlight presenter on BBC Two from 2014.

2017: Mary Jepkosgei Keitany Breaks Women's Record

In 2017, Mary Jepkosgei Keitany broke the women's marathon world record at the London Marathon.

2017: Mary Keitany Sets World Record

In 2017, Mary Keitany set a world record of 2:17:01 for an all-women's marathon.

2017: London Marathon Staged Until 2017

In August 2013, it was announced that the event would be staged in London until 2017 and feature athletes in the T11-T12, T13, T42-T44, T43, T45-46, T51-52 and the T53-54 class.

2019: Number of Ever Presents Shrinks

After 2019, the number of "Ever Presents", runners who have completed each London Marathon since 1981, has shrunk to 10. At the running of the 2019 event, the oldest runner was 85-year old Kenneth Jones, whilst the youngest runner was 60-year-old Chris Finill.

2020: Non-Traditional Course

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 London Marathon was run on a non-traditional course, consisting of 19.6 laps around St James's Park.

2020: London Marathon Moved to October

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the London Marathon was moved to October in 2020.

2020: Elite Athletes Only in 2020

The 2020 London Marathon was restricted to elite athletes in able-bodied and invited wheelchair categories due to COVID restrictions.

2021: London Marathon Moved to October

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the London Marathon was moved to October in 2021.

2021: Wheelchair Records Set

In 2021, Marcel Hug set the Men's Wheelchair Race course record and Manuela Schär set the Women's equivalent.

2021: Tata Consultancy Services to take over sponsorship

In 2021, it was announced that Tata Consultancy Services would take over sponsorship of the London Marathon from 2022.

2022: London Marathon Moved to October

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the London Marathon was moved to October in 2022.

2022: Catherine Debrunner Sets Wheelchair Course Record

In 2022, Catherine Debrunner set the wheelchair course record at 1:38:24 at the London Marathon.

2022: Tata Consultancy Services takes over sponsorship

In 2022, Tata Consultancy Services took over sponsorship of the London Marathon.

2023: Distribution of Places

As of 2023, the available places are generally considered to be distributed approximately as follows:

2023: Kelvin Kiptum Sets Men's Course Record

In 2023, Kelvin Kiptum set the Men's course record at 2:01:25.

2024: Significant Focus on Charity Running

As of 2024, the London Marathon has a bigger focus on charity running than other similar events, with participants raising over £1 billion since its founding.

2024: Ballot Success Below 3%

In 2024, success in the ballot is estimated to be below 3%.

2024: Record Charity Fundraising

In 2024, the London Marathon raised £67 million, marking the highest amount for a single-day fundraising event. Since its founding, the marathon has raised over £1 billion for charity.