London Marathon: Latest news and pictures from the Marathon (Image: REUTERS)
The London Marathon is here and will test the legs of around 50,000 runners today.
Britain’s four-time Olympic champion MO Farah, who called time on his track career to focus on road running in 2017, came third last year.
Farah’s preparations have been marred by an extraordinary row with former distance star Haile Gebrselassie over an alleged robbery in the hotel owned by the retired Ethiopian.
The 36-year-old is up against world record holder Eliud Kipchoge, the Olympic champion who holds the course record and is looking for a fourth win in five years.
Eight-time winner David Weir competes in the wheelchair race for the 20th consecutive year.
London Marathon START TIME: When does the London Marathon get under way?
Will Mo Farah win the London Marathon?
London Marathon prize money
London Marathon: Mo Farah is running the London Marathon (Image: GETTY)
Andy Murray update
Andy Murray was talking on the BBC before he starts the elite men’s race at the London Marathon.
And the tennis star was in a good mood as he continues his recovery from injury.
“It’s really good actually, no pain anymore,” Murray said.
“I’m just a bit weak from where I got cut down the side of my leg for the operation. I’m doing well, happy and pain free, enjoying my life.
“I’ve been hitting a few balls from a stationary position but I’m still quite a long way from testing it properly, running around the court, but I just have to see what happens.
“I don’t feel any pressure of needing to come back and play again but if my body feels good and I’m pain free then I’ll give it a go.”
London Marathon: Andy Murray was talking ahead of the London Marathon (Image: GETTY)
Women’s elite race underway
Vivian Cheruiyot is one to watch in the women’s race as it gets underway this morning, while Brigid Kosgei could be another after her success in Chicago.
Cheruiyot is the defending champions and thinks she’s in even better shape than last year.
“I am in better shape because last year I changed things and the programme of last year and this year has been the same,” says the 2016 Olympic 5000m champion, who made her marathon debut in London in 2017.
“We normally compare (the training of) last year and this year and I did better than last year which means I am in better shape than last year so I am happy about that.
“I also did a personal best at the half-marathon in Lisbon so I think I am going to run good on Sunday.”
London Marathon: Vivian Cheruiyot is the favourite in the elite women’s race (Image: REX)
Nightmare in wheelchair race
Colombia’s Francisco Sanclemente suffers a nightmare start to his marathon in the men’s elite wheelchair race.
The gun went but he stayed still and was trying to get his wheelchair off and running.
David Weir is the big favourite and before the race he said: “The prize money is going up and we are part of the world series now. It just makes the athletes feel wanted and part of a major world series.
“When I was growing up, you were stared at like you were an alien but it has changed people’s mindset on disability. We are just as good as the Mo Farah’s and the Paula Radcliffe’s of this world. I’m in good shape and I have listened to my body. I’m ready.”
London Marathon: The London Marathon is underway (Image: FOCUS IMAGES)
Farah going for glory
Mo Farah is looking to win the race on his third try after finishing third last year.
Farah wants to London fans to help him out though.
“All I can ask from the crowd is to give me as much information as possible, as I go through the last 10 miles in particular,” he told Sky News. “If I’m leading, if I’m behind, the more information I have the easier it is.
“This race means a lot to me. I finished third last year and this year I believe I can give it a little bit more.”
London Marathon: Mo Farah is hoping to win the Marathon on his third attempt (Image: GETTY)
London Marathon schedule
The order of play today for the pros is as follows:
9.05am – Elite Wheelchair Races
9.10am – World Para Athletics Marathon Championships Ambulant Athletes
9.25am – The Elite Women’s Race
10.10am – The Elite Men’s Race, British Athletics & England Athletics Marathon Championships and Mass Race
London Marathon: Paula Radcliffe leaving the The Chris Evans Breakfast Show (Image: GETTY)
London Marathon LIVE updates
So we’re here again London. It’s Marathon day and the weather looks pretty good for those running this year.
The heat of last weekend has died down and we have a generally overcast day in the capital.
There could be spits of rain but temperature is a fairly comfortable 15 degrees.
Wind is currently as 14mph which shouldn’t cause too many problems while humidity is 58%.