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The Running Boom
In 1980s Great Britain
saw a great interest in sports and keeping fit.
A lot of people started running and jogging in their spare time. Among the running races the London Marathon has become an internationally famous event.
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The Aim of the Work
is
to find out
what the London Marathon is
what people
and why take
part in the London Marathon
why the Marathon is so popular
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The London Marathon
The London Marathon is a popular
road marathon that has been held each year in
London since 1981, usually in April. It is one of the top five international marathons run over the traditional distance of 42.195 km (26 miles and 385 yards).
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The Marathon’s History
The London Marathon was
founded in 1981 by the former Olympic champion and
renowned journalist Chris Brasher and his lifelong friend John Disley.
The race is now organised by David Bedford as Race Director and Nick Bitel as Chief Executive.
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The Participants
Separate starts are made by
elite men, elite women, wheelchair competitors and the general
public, some of whom are over 80 years old. A great number of sponsored participants raise money for different charities. In 1983, the first wheelchair races took place.
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Number of Participants
The number of participants grows steadily.
For elite athletes the marathon is a very prestigious
running event. Many overseas runners taking part in the mass start can get places through lottery.
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The "Ever Presents"
A small number of runners are
known as the "Ever Presents“. They have completed each
of the London Marathons since 1981. By 2010 their number was 21. The oldest runners amongst them are 75 year old Kenneth Jones and Jeffrey Gordon. The youngest runner is 52-year-old Chris Finill. They are all male.
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Money For Charities
Large sums of money are raised
for a wide range of charities. The London Marathon
is now the largest annual fund raising event in the world. Money is given to charities all over the world.
Money is also distributed to recreational schemes through the London Marathon Trust.
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Running for a Good Cause
Crazy costumes are a familiar
sight around the course. In fact over 75% of
participants run for a good cause.
Since 1981, the London Marathon has raised over £400 million for charities worldwide making it the largest fundraising marathon in the world.
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The Route
The London Marathon covers a 26.2 mile
route. It starts on Blackheath and passes the Cutty
Sark, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, Tower of London, London Eye, Houses of Parliament, and finishes in The Mall.
It is the only Marathon course in the world that is run in two hemispheres.
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The Reasons of Popularity
The Marathon's popularity has steadily
grown since 1981.
Thanks to TV coverage the London
Marathon has become an internationally famous event.
It is known for its perfect organization.
Thousands of spectators encourage the runners on the way.
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Mini Marathon
It is the sister of the London
Marathon. Its course is the last 3 miles of
the London Marathon.
Runners aged 11-17 are from all 33 London Boroughs, 13 teams from ten English counties and three Home Countries: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. There is also a Mini Wheelchair race on the day.
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Winners
The first winners of the marathon were the
runners of the Men's Elite Race was shared by
American Dick Beardsley and Norwegian Inge Simonsen. The marathon has seen a lot of records and is known for its fast times.
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Sponsors and Partners
The present sponsor of the marathon
is Virgin.
The original sponsor was Gillette 1981 to 1983.
The other sponsors Mars (1984–1988), ADT (1989–1992), NutraSweet (1993–1995), and Flora (1996–2009).
A number of other companies and organizations use the event for brand identification and marketing.
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Running Marathons Is Not Easy
Some participants are treated
as national heroes after completing the marathon. They try
to do their best to cover the route.
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The Highlight of British Sport Year
“The London
Marathon is the highlight of my domestic programme. A
great day out!” (Tanni Grey-Thompson, paralympic athlete from Wales, and a winner of the wheelchair London Marathon)
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The 30th London Marathon
2010, April, 30th London Marathon.
There were around 48,000 competitors with as many as
a million spectators cheering them along the route. There was the first participant from the Royal family, princess Beatrice. Sir Richard Branson and his two children run the marathon as well.
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Russian Athletes in the Marathon
In 1994 an unknown
athlete Yakov Tolstikov won the Men’s Elite Race.
Last year
Svetlana Zakharova, Inga Abitova, Lyudmila Petrova, Maria Konovalova and Liliya Shobukhova took place. Liliya Shobukhova has won the women's London Marathon and her compatriot Inga Abitova finished second.
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2011 London Marathon
Sunday, 17, April
31st London Marathon
120,000 participants
from the UK
5,000 overseas participants
the official charity is Oxfam
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CONCLUSION
London Marathon has become one of
the largest marathons in the world. It has become
the all-inclusive “People’s Marathon”
Athletes take part in it for sporting awards, many people participate for pleasure and self-confidence.
A lot of money for different charities is raised by sponsored participants.