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![]() The Flora London Marathon 2007
Sunday 22nd April 2007 from 9:00am With the world's greatest marathon runners congregating in London for the Flora Marathon, it is unquestionable that this year's race will be immensely exciting. Will 2006 winner Felix Limo of Kenya maintain his reign, or can fellow Kenyan and world record holder Paul Tergat dethrone him? The competition is set to be intense, with all top five of last year's male finishers returning to contest the 2007 race. Keep your eyes peeled for double Olympic and four-time world 10,000m champion, Haile Gebrselassie (ETH), and Britain's own Jon Brown - two wildcards in the Men's Elite field. The Women's Elite field is on track to be one of the strongest ever. Even with 2004 Olympic Marathon champion Mizuki Noguchi (JPN) pulling out due to injury, the competition will be fierce with Asian Games champion Chunxiu Zhou (CHN) and last year's runner-ups Lyudmilla Petrova (RUS) and Susan Chepkemei (KEN) leading the pack. The women's race will be run under Championship conditions with no male pacemakers. Founded in 1981, the London Marathon is the largest race of its kind in the world. Spanning a staggering 26.2 miles, its runners enjoy some of London's finest landmarks as they face the challenge of completing this historic race. And you can join them! There's always plenty of entertainment along the route and many runners will be 'dressed to impress' in novelty costumes. Each year about half a million spectators line the route and 5 million tune in to the BBC's live coverage. Travel and Hotel Information Where to Watch...
From The DLR or Jubilee Line The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is one of the best ways of getting to a viewing spot along the route. Try one of the following stations: Mudchute Crossharbour South Quay Canary Wharf Poplar Or head to the Jubilee Line: Canada Water Canary Wharf Bermondsey All the above stations are near the marathon route. For those who want to get a good view of the Finish Line, try Westminster Tube Station or Charing Cross and walk across to The Mall. Spectators need to arrive early. From The Thistle Tower Hotel Situated on the North Bank of the River Thames, the Thistle Tower offers splendid views of the London Marathon as the runners come over Tower Bridge. A large modern hotel, the Tower offers all the facilities the discerning guest could hope for. Overlooking St Katharine's Dock, it is perfectly placed as a riverside retreat. For more information or to book online please click here. From the River Of course, the best way of all to watch all those people putting themselves through intense physical pain is while being pampered aboard a luxurious riverboat. Thames Luxury Charters runs a cruise that starts at Tower Pier, before going down to Greenwich to see the start. She then cruises to Tower Bridge to see the thousands of entrants stream over the Bridge. There's also a two-course brunch and live jazz on offer. For more information or to book online please click here. When...
9:00 The Elite Women's race gets underway from the Blue Start at Shooter's Hill Road. 9:25 The Wheelchair race gets underway from the Blue Start at Shooter's Hill Road. 9:45 The Elite Men's race gets underway from the Blue Start at Shooter's Hill Road. 9:45 The Celebritites and Older Competitors race gets underway from the Green Start on St John's Park. 9:45 The main, Mass Start, race gets underway from the Red Start on Charlton Way. The Facts...
Start Greenwich Park Start Time Between 9:00 and 9:45 Finish The Mall (between Green Park and St James's Park) Length 26.2 miles Number of Entrants Approx. 32,000 Record Holders Men - Khalid Khannouchi (USA) finished in 2.05:38 in 2002 Women - Paula Radcliffe (GBR) finished in 2.15:25 in 2003 The History...
26.2 Miles It was 1908 and London was hosting the Olympic Games. The organisers were faced with a dilemma. The Royal Box lay just 385 yards beyond the 26 mile finish line. So, not wishing to offend members of the Royal Family, the marathon distance was extended to 26 miles 385 yards to allow the finish line to fall infront of the Royal Box! Ever since this momentous change, the marathon has been run to precisely 26.2 miles. Did You Know...?
The London Marathon provides: 710,000 bottles of water950 portable toilets500 stretchers20,900 metres of barriers68 ambulances |
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