London Marathon sees record number of entries

A record number of people are taking part in the London Marathon on Sunday.

Dry and sunny weather is expected with temperatures up to 12 degrees Celsius (53.6 degrees Fahrenheit) and more than 50,000 people will pass through the capital.

There will be a 30-second round of applause before the start to commemorate last year’s men’s elite champion. Kelvin KiptumHe died in a car accident in February at the age of 24.

Last year, he won the title for the third time, setting a new record of 2 hours, 1 minute and 25 seconds in the London Marathon, and set a new world record of 2 hours and 35 seconds in the Chicago race in October.

This year’s marathon will also be the first time wheelchair athletes and non-disabled athletes receive equal prize money in a marathon.

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All four winners of the Elite event will receive £44,000, runners-up £24,000 and third-place finishers £18,000.

David Weir, who will run the London Marathon for the 25th consecutive time on Sunday and has won eight times, said he did not expect such a change to happen in his lifetime.

Event director Hugh Brasher said the event would be “more inclusive than before” and would provide support for more than 200 disabled participants, as well as a faith-based facility for neurologically schizophrenic participants in the finish area Space and quiet space.

Female urinals, hygiene products and family support areas including private breastfeeding areas will be provided.

Jasmin Paris, the first woman to complete the ultra-endurance Barkley Marathon, will start the Women’s Classic at 9.25am.

Ms Kelly Holmes, who won two gold medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics, will start the men’s elite and mass events at 10am.

Entrants will include 20 MPs and peers, the largest number in the event’s history, including Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.

“The most difficult old man” Russ CookThose who complete the entire African race on April 7 will also participate.

The 2023 marathon is the world’s largest annual one-day fundraising event, raising £63 million for thousands of charities.