About the Virgin London Marathon

The 2012 Virgin London Marathon will take place on Sunday 22nd April.

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Since its inaugural running in 1981, the London Marathon has developed a global reputation for its fast, record-setting course. Each year the London Marathon hosts representatives from more than 50 countries to compete on this world stage. Elite runners compete for a portion of £150,000, while the fairly flat, city landscape and spring climate combine to provide the best backdrop for posting records – personal, national and world.

Capacity:
36,550

Recent Participation:

Year	Finishers	Male	Female
2003	32,288	23,972	8,316
2004	31,796	23,355	8,441
2005	35,105	24,641	10,464
2006	33,222	23,060	10,162
2007	35,700	24,825	10,875
2008	34,497	23,576	10,921
2009	35,268	24,231	11,037
2010	36,550	24,423	12,127
2011	34,705	24,423	12,262

Estimated Spectators:
1 million

Total Prize Purse:
$313,000 + time + record bonuses

Official Charity:
Prostate and Breast Cancer Care

World Records (Men):
2:05:38 – Khalid Khannouchi – 2002

World Records (Women):
2:15:25 – Paula Radcliffe – 2003 (mixed race)
2:17:42 – Paula Radcliffe – 2005 (women only)
2:18:56 – Paula Radcliffe – 2002 (women only)
2:21:06 – Ingrid Kristiansen – 1985 (mixed race)
2:23:22 – Joyce Chepchumba – 1999 (women only)
2:25:09 – Manuela Machado – 1999 (W35 record)
2:25:29 – Grete Waitz – 1983 – (mixed race)

British Records (Men):
2:08:16 – Steve Jones – 1985

British Records (Women):
2:15:25 – Paula Racliffe – 2003 (mixed race)
2:17:42 – Paula Radcliffe – 2005 (Women only)

Course records:
2:04:40 - Emmanuel Mutai - 2011
2:05:10 - Sammy Wanjiru - 2009
2:05:15 – Martin Lel – 2008
2:05:38 – Khalid Khannouchi – 2002
2:17:42 – Paula Radcliffe – 2005 (Women only)
2:15:25 – Paula Radcliffe – 2003 (mixed race)