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Thousands running London Marathon Thousands running London Marathon
(about 1 hour later)
Some 35,000 runners are taking to the streets hoping to cross the finish line at the London Marathon. About 35,000 runners are pounding the streets of London desperately hoping to cross the finish line after 26 miles.
The 26-mile route runs from Greenwich and Blackheath in south-east London to Buckingham Palace, but was rerouted after a gas leak near Canary Wharf. Among them are professional athletes, six Masai warriors, a 101 year old and amateurs hoping to raise thousands of pounds for their favourite charities.
Forecasters say the fine weather is perfect for a marathon, with showers likely for people taking longer. The 28th London Marathon got under way with a smooth start as forecasters predicted near perfect conditions.
Buster Martin, aged 101 and father of 17, is hoping to become the oldest person to complete the race. But rain followed and an hour into the race, a suspected gas leak near Canary Wharf forced the route to be diverted.
The gas leak was said to be serious enough to slightly divert the remaining runners by about 200m. A short time later the area was given the all-clear, after engineers found no trace of a leak.
Singing and dancing
In the procession of runners weaving their way through the capital from Greenwich and Blackheath in south-east London to Buckingham Palace was Buster Martin.
At 101, the smoker, drinker and father of 17 is hoping to become the oldest person to complete the race.
Others with dyed hair, in fancy dress or on stilts merely wanted to get to the end in one piece to raise money for charity.
Six Masai warriors certainly came dressed in elaborate costumes of shields and jewellery but these were their every-day clothes - only their shoes made from car tyres were a new addition.
Isaya, one of the warriors, seemed confident his "comfortable" footwear would not pose a problem over the distance, but was less sure about the weather.
"It's very cold. It's very, very cold," he told the BBC.
In pictures: The London Marathon Elite lead London runners
He said he anticipated his group, who aim to raise £600 for clean water for their home village in Tanzania, would cross the finish line after four hours, slowed down by their plans to sing and dance along the route.
The memory of Jane Tomlinson, one of the London Marathon's most well known participants, lived on this year, as her daughter and husband ran together.
Mrs Tomlinson, from Yorkshire, died in September after a seven-year battle with cancer during which she performed many feats of endurance and raised millions for charity.
This year, her husband Mike, said he and his daughter Rebecca, 20, wanted to carry on the good work Jane had done for her charity, Jane's Appeal.
"It's hard to put into words the feelings for Jane. She was just the most astonishing person. She wanted to show people with terminal cancer can still get on and enjoy life," he said.
Jet lag
Dave Heeley, a blind runner from West Bromwich, is aiming to make London his seventh marathon, as part of the Seven Magnificent Marathons challenge run across seven continents in as many days.Dave Heeley, a blind runner from West Bromwich, is aiming to make London his seventh marathon, as part of the Seven Magnificent Marathons challenge run across seven continents in as many days.
He has completed marathons in the Falklands, Rio de Janeiro, Los Angeles, Sydney, Dubai and Tunisia and told the BBC about the difficulties in running marathons with jet lag. He has completed marathons in the Falklands, Rio de Janeiro, Los Angeles, Sydney, Dubai and Tunisia, but has difficulty running with jet lag.
He said: "The trouble is, your body clock's all over the place and although you are tired and you want to sleep, your body's sort of saying 'hey, you're normally awake at this time, come on, get up', so it's certainly been an experience." He told the BBC: "The trouble is, your body clock is all over the place and although you are tired and you want to sleep, your body's sort of saying 'hey, you're normally awake at this time, come on, get up', so it's certainly been an experience."
Celebrity runnersCelebrity runners
The daughter and husband of multiple marathon runner Jane Tomlinson, are running together. The professional athletes started the race in Blackheath, in south-east London, while the majority left from Greenwich Park.
Mrs Tomlinson, from Yorkshire, died in September after a seven-year battle with cancer during which she performed many feats of endurance and raised millions for charity. Paula Radcliffe, who has won the race three times and is the world marathon record-holder, was forced to withdraw because of a toe injury.
class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7344427.stm">In pictures: The London Marathon class="" href="/sport1/hi/athletics/7343047.stm">Elite lead London runners Celebrity runners include chefs Gordon Ramsay and Michel Roux, Liberal Democrat mayoral hopeful Brian Paddick, and Big Brother 2002 winner Kate Lawler who is running for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust wearing underwear designed by Ann Summers.
Her daughter Rebecca, 20, and husband Mike, 46, are running for Jane's Appeal, the charity she set up. Mr Ramsey described the marathon as a great showcase for the 2012 London Olympics.
The professional athletes are starting the race in Blackheath, while most of the runners leave from Greenwich Park.
Paula Radcliffe, who has won the race three times and is the world marathon record-holder, has been forced to withdraw because of a toe injury.
Among the runners are a man in a giant robot outfit and six Maasai warriors.
The celebrity runners include chefs Gordon Ramsay and Michel Roux, Liberal Democrat mayoral hopeful Brian Paddick, and Big Brother 2002 winner Kate Lawler who is running for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust wearing underwear designed by Ann Summers.
Were you watching the race? Or do you have a personal experience to share? Send us your comments and photos.Were you watching the race? Or do you have a personal experience to share? Send us your comments and photos.
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