London Marathon LIVE: Latest updates from 26-mile race after Amos Kipruto wins men’s event
40,000 people are set to compete in the long-distance race
The London marathon takes place today with athletes and members of the public prepared to tackle the 26-mile route around the British capital. The start is near Blackheath in Greenwich, with the route taking in landmarks such as the Cutty Sark, the Shard, the London Eye and Parliament before reaching the finish line at the Mall by Buckingham Palace.
28-year-old Kenyan, Brigid Kosgei, who won the London Marathon in 2019 and 2020 has withdrawn through injury but the women’s field still features Kosgei’s compatriot and last year’s winner Joyciline Jepkosgei (29) and Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw (23) who set the fastest debut time for a marathon and holds the world record in the 10km road race.
The men’s race looks set to be a tight affair with Kenya’s Titus Ekiru well-backed after victories in the 2021 Milan and Abu Dhabi marathons whilst Ethiopia’s Birhanu Legese will be amongst his closest contenders alongside 2021 London marathon winner and compatriot Sisay Lemma. Four-time London marathon winner Eliud Kipchoge will not compete, and neither will Great Britain’s Sir Mo Farah who has withdrawn due to a hip injury.
Follow all the action from the 2022 London marathon:
Hug takes an early lead
The 2021 men’s wheelchair winner, Marcel Hug, and American Daniel Romanchuk have opened up a decent lead after 15 minutes racing with Britain’s David Weir thinking about going with them in a breakaway and deciding to hang back.
These two racers are incredible and working together they’ll be difficult to reign back in.
Elite women’s race gets going!
Last year’s winner Joyciline Jepkosgei (29) and Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw (23) are the two favourites to win this one. The three Lionesses press the buzzer once more and the elite women’s race is underway as well!
Where are the best viewing spots?
Busy areas include Greenwich town centre and the Cutty Sark. The ship provides a beautiful backdrop for the race, but it also brings with it among the largest crowds, with the race urging spectators to avoid this area and find alternative spots.
The iconic Tower Bridge is always extremely busy, while the crowds are packed across both sides of the roads from mile 24 to the finish in The Mall.
Due to the nature of the course, in its twistiest part, Canary Wharf can be a good spot to meet runners, from Limehouse at mile 14, all the way down to South Quay, Crossharbour and Mudchute before looping back through Canary Wharf and Poplar around mile 20 to start the route to the finish line through Embankment along the Thames. This part of the route gives spectators a chance to see runners on two or more occasions without travelling great distances.
Tower Hill, Birdcage Walk, Isle of Dogs, Woolwich and Cutty Sark are five other destinations that you’ll be able to have a good view of the race and some London sights.
You can meet runners after the finish line in the meet and greet area in Horse Guards Road.
Wheelchair race begins!
England’s European championship winners, Leah Williamson, Ellen White and Jill Scott press the buzzer to get the race going.
“This will bring back some special memories,” said Scott beforehand. “I won the Mini Marathon before I decided to focus on my football. Crossing the Finish Line first on The Mall was an amazing feeling.
“Part of the joy of our success this summer was hearing how it inspired young people to get out and play football, or any sport, and the Mini London Marathon has the same power.”
Sir Mo Farah can compete with fastest in the world for ‘next three to four years’ despite injury setback
Sir Mo Farah has been told he can compete with the very best in the marathon for “the next three to four years” by training partner and European record holder Bashir Abdi.
The Briton, who was set to run his first marathon since 2019 on Sunday, pulled out of the TCS London Marathon on Wednesday with a right hip injury, although the four-time Olympic champion hopes to return in the race’s traditional slot next April.
And Abdi, who shared hundreds of miles with Farah in the build-up, insists the 39-year-old’s training has been “really incredible” and does not understand why his friend would consider retirement just yet.
Sir Mo Farah can compete with fastest in the world for ‘next three to four years’
London Marathon: Sir Mo Farah can compete with fastest in the world for ‘next three to four years’ despite injury setback
Schar out of wheelchair race
Last year’s women’s wheelchair race winner, Manuela Schär of Switzerland, and Paralympic marathon winner Madison de Rozario of Australia have both withdrawn from the London marathon this morning and won’t compete.
That makes the women’s wheelchair race a wide open affair which could result in a surprise winner this morning.
Increase in wheelchair prize money ‘really powerful’ says Weir
Eight-time London marathon winner, David Weir, spoke about the decision to increase the prize money for wheelchair competitors at this year’s race and said it is a ‘really powerful’ statement that could set a new benchmark for global sports.
“For the London Marathon to be taking a stand and increasing prize money for wheelchair athletes is really powerful and sets a benchmark for all sports globally.” said Weir, “I really appreciate, and forever will, what the London Marathon is doing for the men’s and women’s wheelchair divisions.”
Last year’s winner, Manuela Schär, added: “I’ve been racing marathons around the world since 2013. To see what the London Marathon has done, and continues to do, to promote wheelchair racing should be a great example to society.”
Increase in prize money for wheelchair races
The 2022 London Marathon has increased the prize money the wheelchair races this year.
Defending champion Marcel Hug and eight-time London Marathon champion David Weir of Britain will compete for a share of the biggest-ever wheelchair racing prize pot.
The total prize structure across both the men’s and women’s wheelchair races has been raised by $57,800 from $141,700 in 2021 to $199,500 this year.
The new structure also includes increased prize money for each of the top 10 finishers, while there are additional bonuses available for course records and the Abbott World Marathon Majors Flying 400 competition.
The winners of the men’s and women’s wheelchair race will receive $35,000 each - up from $25,000 last year - with second place receiving $20,000 and third $15,000. There are incremental increases for all the finisher positions down to the 10th-placed athlete, who will receive $1,250.
What is the route?
The start is near Blackheath in Greenwich, mile six will see runners go past the Cutty Sark and next at mile 12 they will see the Shard.
The next milestone is at mile 18 where participants will run through Canary Wharf with the London Eye and Parliament at mile 25.
Then the finish line is at the Mall by Buckingham Palace.
Eliud Kipchoge to attend Mini London Marathon after breaking world record in Berlin
Eliud Kipchoge will return to London this weekend fresh from smashing his own marathon world record in Berlin to present medals to winners at the TCS Mini London Marathon.
The event on Saturday 1 October, the day before the TCS London Marathon, provides an opportunity for the next generation of athletes over the final 2.6km of the iconic course with the finish line on The Mall.
And Kipchoge, a four-time London Marathon champion, who clocked an astonishing 2:01:09 at the BMW Berlin Marathon to take 30 seconds off the world record last Sunday, will be in the capital to honour the age-group winners of this year’s landmark race.
Eliud Kipchoge to attend Mini London Marathon after breaking world record in Berlin
London Marathon 2022: Sir Mo Farah told ‘age no barrier to success’
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