The London Marathon
Gabby Logan presents live coverage of the 36th annual London Marathon as world-class runners and 38,000 fundraisers compete in one of the world’s most famous and colourful races.
There’s a rematch in the elite men’s race between last year’s top five finishers, including the two most recent champions. Eliud Kipchoge beat two-time winner Wilson Kipsang last year in a thrilling sprint finish, with world-record-holder and fellow Kenyan Dennis Kimetto in third.
The expected challengers to the Kenyans include three-time Olympic track gold-medallist Kenenisa Bekele, who is back after long-term injury, and world champion Ghirmay Ghebreslassie of Eritrea.
Ethiopian Tigist Tufa defends her women’s title against five athletes who have run sub-2:20 marathons, including her compatriots Mare Dibaba, the reigning world champion, and 2010 London winner Aselefech Mergia, as well as Kenya’s two-time victor Mary Keitany.
British Olympic places are up for grabs, with the first two finishers guaranteed a trip to Rio provided they have the qualification time.
Hometown favourite David Weir bids for a record seventh win in the men’s wheelchair race, having been edged out last year by American Joshua George, who defends his title.
In the women’s wheelchair race, Tatyana McFadden of the USA seeks a fourth straight London crown, having set a course record in each of the last three years.
As well as the elite races, we will hear from many of the amateur athletes who are running for the charities which benefit from one of the iconic events in the British sporting calendar.
Reporting along the 26.2 mile route will be Colin Jackson, Denise Lewis, Ore Oduba and Radzi Chingyanganya, while commentary comes from Steve Cram, Brendan Foster, Rob Walker, six-time London Marathon wheelchair race-winner Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and Paula Radcliffe – who set the women’s marathon world record 13 years ago in London.
Coverage continues on BBC Two. A highlights programme looking back at the day’s action will also be broadcast on BBC Two between 6pm and 7pm.
Publicity contact: GJ3
