In Pictures: London Marathon

Many people donned fancy dress for the 2009 London Marathon. These two men dressed up as lifeguards from the popular television series Baywatch.

Postman Paul Simons, 45, from north London, set a new record for the fastest man to run a marathon dressed as Santa Claus.

The warm weather was good for spectators but had an effect on many of those taking part in the race.

This runner solved the puzzle of his fancy dress by dressing up as a Rubik's Cube.

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay completed his 10th London Marathon, saying it was his toughest yet because of the heat.

Peter Andre and Katie Price were also among the many celebrities who took part in the London Marathon this year.

Some runners used a little ingenuity to counter the worst effects of the sun, which beat down on competitors during much of the race.

Wearing hot and heavy fancy dress in the spring sunshine failed to stop many fun runners from trying to set a fast pace.

There was a smile on the nurse's face but was the runner inside the costume so chipper by the time he passed Parliament?

The support of the crowd helped many runners get around the course. Photo: Julian Elsworth.

This competitor used a little "bananergy" to help him cover the 26.2 miles through central London.

Finding the right footwear is always essential for marathon runners of all abilities. Photo: Addey Kehinde.

Fun runners never shy away from making asses of themselves but Claire Johnson said this competitor's costume was the best she had ever seen pass her home in Blackheath.