London Marathon

The London Marathon is an annual marathon held in United Kingdom's capital and considered one of the most popular road races in the world. Founded by Chris Brasher and John Disley in 1981, typically held in April. The race held in flat course is set around the River Thames, starting in Blackheath and finishing at The Mall (Between 1982-93 it finished over Westminster Bridge). The London Marathon has staged for eight world records in the past.

(Top photo: Runners World UK)

COURSE RECORDS

Men - 2:01:25 Kelvin Kiptum (KEN) in 2023 edition

(Splits: 14:30 - 29:12 - 43:51 - 58:31 - 1:01:40 HM - 1:12:53 - 1:27:23 - 1:41:12 - 1:55:13 - 2:01:25 / 61:40 - 59:45)

Women mixed race - 2:15:25 Paula Radcliffe (GBR) in 2003 edition

(Splits available in mile: 25:32 5mi - 51:48 10mi - 1:08:02 HM - 1:43:33 20mi - 2:15:25 / 68:02 - 67:23)

Women only race - 2:16:16 Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) in 2024 edition

(Splits: 15:44 - 31:26 - 47:37 - 1:03:35 - 1:07:05 HM - 1:19:38 - 1:35:56 - 1:52:48 - 2:09:13 - 2:16:16 / 67:05 - 69:11)

MOST PODIUMS

7 - Antonio Pinto (3-1-3)

6 - Martin Lel (3-3-0)

6 - Joyce Chepchumba (2-1-3)

5 - Tsegay Kebede (2-1-2)

COUNTRY WINNING DOUBLE

8 - KENYA (2004, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2024)

1 - ETHIOPIA (2010)

1 - GREAT BRITAIN (1982)

MARGINAL WINS (in current course)

Men's narrowest:

0:00 Abera-Baldini (2003)

0:00 Beardsley-Simonsen (1981)

0:01 Kitata-Chumba (2020)

Men's biggest:

+2:58 Kiptum-Kamworor (2023)

Women's narrowest:

0:01 Chepchumba-McColgan (1997)

Women's biggest:

+7:15 Smith-Drake (1981)

RACE DETAILS & MILESTONES (Official finishing numbers)

2024 (53,695) New finishing record. Peres Jepchirchir breaks Women-only world record.

2023 (43,965) Kelvin Kiptum ran second-best in history. Breaks course record.

2022 (40,679)

2021 (36,013)

2020* (61) Covid-19 reduced race. Only one second between top two in the men's race.

2019 (42,549) Kipchoge's fourth victory by breaking course record.

2018 (40,222)

2017 (39,487) Mary Keitany breaks women-only WR.

2016 (39,140) Eliud Kipchoge retained his title with 2:03:05 course record.

2015 (37,793)

2014 (35,977)

2013 (34,381)

2012 (36,812)

2011 (34,872) Emmanuel Mutai clocked first sub 2:05 in London.

2010 (36,666) Ethiopian victory double.

2019 (35,404)

2008 (34,637)

2007 (35,729)

2006 (33,250)

2005 (35,300) Paula Radcliffe breaks women-only WR.

2004 (32,012) Kenyans secured double win (men-women) for the first time.

2003 (32,324) Paula Radcliffe breaks WR.

2002 (32,950) Khaled Khannouchi breaks WR.

2001 (30,318)

2000 (31,698) Antonio Pinto breaks European record.

1999 (30,849)

1998 (29,972) 30K+ starters.

1997 (29,189) Closest-finish in women's race. One second between Chepchumba & McColgan.

1996 (26,806) Warmest start (17.6C at 09:00).

1995 (25,377) First title defence in men's race (Ceron).

1994 (25,242) Finish at The Mall. Kathrin Dörre completes first hat-trick in London Marathon.

1993 (24,495)

1992 (23,833)

1991 (23,435) Coldest start (5.8C at 09:00)

1990 (25,013)

1989 (22,701)

1988 (20,932) Jorgensen became only Danish winner in the race history.

1987 (19,586) 20K+ starters.

1986 (18,067)

1985 (15,873) Back to back win for Ingrid Kristiansen who lowered WR to sub 2:22.

1984 (15,675)

1983 (15,793) First wheelchair race. Grete Waitz breaks WR.

1982 (15,116) Great Britain winning double. Only in the race history.

1981 (6,255) Co-winners in men's race.

TOP 10 MARKS

MEN - Top 10 marks average: 2:03:22

2:01:25 Kelvin Kiptum, Kenya (2023)

2:02:37 Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya (2019)

2:02:55 Mosinet Geremew, Ethiopia (2019)

2:03:05 Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya (2016)

2:03:16 Mule Wasihun, Ethiopia (2019)

2:03:51 Stanley Biwott, Kenya (2016)

2:04:01 Sisay Lemma, Ethiopia (2021)

2:04:01 Alexander Mutiso (2024)

2:04:15 Kenenisa Bekele (2024)

2:04:17 Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya (2018)

WOMEN - Top 10 marks average: 2:16:53

2:15:25 Paula Radcliffe, Great Britain (2003)

2:16:16 Peres Jepchirchir (2024)

2:16:23 Tigst Assefa (2024)

2:16:24 Joyciline Jepkosgei (2024)

2:16:34 Megertu Alemu (2024)

2:17:01 Mary Keitany, Kenya (2017)

2:17:26 Yalemzerf Yehualaw, Ethiopia (2022)

2:17:42 Paula Radcliffe, Great Britain (2005)

2:17:43 Joyciline Jepkosgei, Kenya (2021)

2:17:56 Tirunesh Dibaba, Ethiopia (2017)