The London Marathon is one of the fastest courses in the world. It had its beginnings during conversation over a couple of pints in a pub at the Dysart Arms.
Original co-founders of the now world-class event, John Dislely and Chris Brasher, engaged members of the Raneleigh Harriers running club in lively conversation about their experiences participating in the 1979 New York Marathon.
The pair said they ran the race, finished and witnessed the joy participating in a citywide mass marathon. Could the same type event take place in London, they wondered?
Race History
After Dislely and Brasher pulled all the elements together, the first running of the London Marathon took place on March 29, 1981.
The inaugural race attracted more than 20,000 race wannabees. However, only 7,747 were allowed entry where 6,255 actually finished the course.
These runners were led by Norwegian Inge Simonsen and American Dick Beardsley who simultaneously crossed the finish line at 2:11.48.
The Brits cheered in ear-shattering clamor as one of their own, Joyce Smith, a 43-year-old mother of two, won the women’s race breaking the British record, 2:29:57.
Race Course
This is decidedly a very fast and flat course.
Beginning in Blackheath, the runner’s path travels east for three miles going into Charlton and Woolwich. It turns west to Greenwich passing the Cutty Sark after runners trot six or seven miles.
The course then crosses the River Thames right at across the Tower Bridge and then does a loop around London’s East End. It runs past the Canary Wharf in the Docklands.
The path then heads west along the Highway and Embankment to Parliament Square, Birdcage Walk and, makes a final corner at Buckingham Palace heading to the finish at The Mall, the road leading from the Palace to Trafalgar Square.
Up until 1993, the race finished at Westminster Bridge with a view of the Houses of Parliament sitting out back. The Bridge closed down in 1994 for repairs moving the finish line to The Mall where it remains today.
How to Register
People interested in running the 2011 London Marathon should take note that official online registration closed out in October 2010 due to the race popularity.
It is one of the five World Marathon Majors that also include Berlin, Boston, Chicago and New York.
There are possible alternate entry sources that may apply to individual runners, for example, athletes that have a very fast verified time from participation in any number of qualifying races held worldwide.
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