London Marathon’s ‘electric’ return an important step towards normality

The biggest mass participation event since lockdown will also feature some fascinating elite races on the capital’s streets

The most joyous and uplifting event in the British sporting calendar is back – and this year it will be bigger than ever. Come 9am on Sunday morning, 40,000 people will start a 26.2 mile journey from Blackheath to the Mall as the full-fat version of the London Marathon returns to the capital’s streets for the first time since 2019. Meanwhile another 40,000 will also run or walk the event “virtually” across the globe during a 24-hour window, making it the biggest mass participation event since lockdown. And with about half a million people expected on the streets to watch, organisers hope it will raise tens of millions for charity – and mark another important step on the journey towards normality.

“It is going to be electric,” says the Paralympian David Weir, who is chasing an astonishing ninth London Marathon victory. “I think there are going to be epic crowds because people haven’t been to a live event for ages, or haven’t seen their friends and family run the marathon for a while. And with people also doing a virtual marathon that’s potentially 80,000 people. It’s going to be epic this year.”

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from The Guardian https://ift.tt/39YkpQn