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The history of the annual London Marathon is recognized on the World Athletics Heritage plaque (Category – Competition).
The award was announced today, March 29, the anniversary of the first race on March 29, 1981.
The London Marathon was co-founded by Chris Brasher, who won the gold medal in the 3000m steeplechase at the 1956 Olympics by guiding Sir Roger Bannister to a sub-4 minute first mile, and John Disley, who won the bronze medal at the 1952 Olympics. I did. Steeplechase later played an important role in the development of course measurement. Their visit to the New York Marathon in 1979 led to the founding of the London Marathon. More than 40 years later, our founding purpose remains the same: “Bringing fun, happiness, and fulfillment to a difficult world.” symbolize an event.
of World Athletics Heritage Nameplate The award is a position-based recognition for “outstanding contributions to the global history and development of track and field and off-field athletics such as cross-country, mountain, road, trail, and ultrarunning.” , race walking.”
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said: “Just as the New York City Marathon inspired runners across the United States 10 years ago, the London Marathon quickly captured the imagination of the British public. It depicts Dick Beardsley and Norway’s Inge Simonsen winning the first men’s race, holding hands, and Grete Weitz setting a world record in the women’s race two years later. London quickly became established as the race of choice for the international elite.
“The London Marathon is world-renowned, not only for its super-fast finish times and head-to-head races at the front, but also as a charity fundraiser. Countless club and recreational runners raise millions of dollars for charity each year. This combined with the event’s well-organized reputation draws 45,000 runners to the start line each year.
“Congratulations to the London Marathon, which deserves to be recognized for its rich heritage and tradition of improving public health and fitness.”
Nick Beitel, chief executive of the London Marathon event, said: “I am truly honored to have received this honor from World Athletics. It is a great tribute to the London Marathon and the work of so many people over the years.
“For decades, the marathon world’s greatest athletes have run this famous course in London, setting world records and making history. Less than 7,000 people attended. This year, 50,000 people are expected to cross The Mall’s iconic finish line, raising millions of dollars for charity, with 750,000 spectators cheering them every step of the way. doing.
“We look forward to welcoming the world to the 44th London Marathon on April 21st.”
Over 1 billion for charity
Since 1981, six world records have been broken at the London Marathon, including one in the men’s race, four in the women’s-only race, and one in the women’s mixed race, including two by Britain’s Paula Radcliffe. Recorded. historic moment.
But it was arguably the late Norwegian Grete Weitz’s 1983 world record that established the fledgling London Marathon as one of the world’s elite races.
Grete Waits at the 1983 London Marathon (© Getty Images)
Two runners have each won four titles so far: Norwegian Ingrid Christiansen from 1984 to 1988 and Kenyan Eluid Kipchoge from 2015 to 2019.
The globally renowned London Marathon is a World Athletics Platinum Label road race and one of six races that make up the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a series founded in 2006.
The London Marathon’s mass race qualifications are equally impressive, with record numbers of over 48,000 runners taking part in 2023. Since 1981, more than 1.2 million people have completed the course and more than £1.2 billion has been raised for charity.
The London Marathon Foundation itself has donated more than £105 million to more than 1,600 projects stimulating activity across the UK, with co-founders Chris Brasher and John Disley committed to improving people’s health and wellbeing. He has made his dream come true.
world athletics heritage
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