In the long run..........

It's been a long time---30 months in fact---since the last London Marathon. It's also the 40th anniversary of the first such event. Starting in Greenwich, the route winds through south-east London, crosses the river at Tower Bridge, does a loop around the Isle of Dogs with the home straight taking the runners along the Thames Embankment to St. James's Park.

Quite apart from the competition of the elite and wheelchair contestants, it's the chance for many thousands of ordinary people to have a good workout, raise money for charity and perhaps have some fun as well. About 40,000 altogether took part.

These images show the closing stages, with the Houses of Parliament peering from beneath Waterloo Bridge. With the race for the mass start having started around 9.30, most of the runners look exhausted when I arrive at 4 p.m. It's a great free day out for spectators however and a huge achievement for all those who complete the course.Read more