The Virgin Money London Marathon is open to all athletes, from beginners who run the course to professionals. The route runs along the south of the Thames and then the north side after crossing the river on Tower Bridge. From Greenwich and Blackheath to Buckingham Palace, runners pass some of the famous London landmarks, including the London Eye, Big Ben, and the Tower of London.
Whether you run, walk or cheer from the sidelines, this is a London sporting institution. In this year 2011 London Marathon, approximately 35,000 people run through the streets of London. Some athletes run for personal achievement, some to raise money for their favorite charity. Many runners made the decision going to run a 26-mile marathon, cover by a crazy costume. Things certainly stay interesting every year at the London marathon when runners dress up in all sorts of over-the-top unique costumes. Some of the ridiculous costumes include many pantomime dame costumes, Baywatch lifeguards, a Caveman a Gnome, the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, and of course, what event would be complete without a Stormtrooper costume?
One of the most popular fancy-dressed runners was trying to complete the London marathon and beat a Guinness world record while dressed as the clock Big Ben. He ran into some trouble while trying to cross the finish line. He was too dang tall to fit under the finish line construction.
Runners ran in sunlight to beat personal bests, for the buzz of it, to prove, for the no longer young, that they still could and for the sheer joy of being part of the rolling great street party that is the London marathon. Behind the task that united thousands of athletes were many personal challenges that made each grueling step of their 26.2-mile course a more profound and richer experience.
The London marathon is on many professional and amateur runner’s top lists, and with good reason. There aren’t any other events in London’s busy calendar with elite athletes covering their bodies with fancy dresses for fun and run supported by thousands of fans from beginning to the end of this famous London event.
Inside those never published photos, you can view runners on the 30 Victoria Embankment, Westminster, London, SW1A 2JL near Monument to the RAF during London Marathon, Sunday, April 17, 2011
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