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Marathon runners take to streets Marathon runners take to streets
(20 minutes later)
Thousands of runners - including celebrities and charity fundraisers - are pounding the streets as they take part in the London Marathon.Thousands of runners - including celebrities and charity fundraisers - are pounding the streets as they take part in the London Marathon.
About 35,000 runners entered the race, which started at 0900BST with elite women competitors in Greenwich Park.About 35,000 runners entered the race, which started at 0900BST with elite women competitors in Greenwich Park.
Celebrity runners this year include former Page 3 model Katie Price.Celebrity runners this year include former Page 3 model Katie Price.
Irina Mikitenko of Germany won the women's title ahead of Briton Mara Yamauchi, while Kenyan runner Sammy Wanjiru took the elite men's title.Irina Mikitenko of Germany won the women's title ahead of Briton Mara Yamauchi, while Kenyan runner Sammy Wanjiru took the elite men's title.
The 26.2 mile race began in warm and bright conditions, with temperatures of 12C. Temperatures are expected to rise up to 16C in the afternoon.The 26.2 mile race began in warm and bright conditions, with temperatures of 12C. Temperatures are expected to rise up to 16C in the afternoon.
I don't think you can ever be prepared for the marathon Katie Price Live London Marathon map In pictures: London MarathonI don't think you can ever be prepared for the marathon Katie Price Live London Marathon map In pictures: London Marathon
Other runners taking part include celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, who is running in his tenth marathon, as well as Major Phil Packer, a paraplegic who was crippled in a rocket attack in the Iraqi city of Basra last year.Other runners taking part include celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, who is running in his tenth marathon, as well as Major Phil Packer, a paraplegic who was crippled in a rocket attack in the Iraqi city of Basra last year.
Price, who is running for children's charity Vision, said: "I don't think you can ever be prepared for the marathon. It's not a normal distance to run."Price, who is running for children's charity Vision, said: "I don't think you can ever be prepared for the marathon. It's not a normal distance to run."
Her husband Peter Andre, running for the NSPCC, said: "We've done the training. Physically we may be up for it but I think psychologically is where we struggle."
Maj Packer hopes to complete the event in 13 days and is aiming to raise £1m for the charity Help The Heroes.Maj Packer hopes to complete the event in 13 days and is aiming to raise £1m for the charity Help The Heroes.
He will run the race on crutches and is aiming to complete two miles a day. He is running the race on crutches and is aiming to complete two miles a day.
Ramsay said: "It's time for a celebration. We're fighting a global credit crunch, and in terms of coming out and having fun, it costs nothing to come and watch." An emotional Keith Duffy, of pop band Boyzone, described the race as an "amazing experience" after finishing in three hours and 52 minutes as he raised cash for children with autism.
Peter Andre and Katie Price are running this year "The crowd were great. There's moments come and you can't go any further but the crowd just keep you going."
Keen marathon runner Gordon Ramsay was taking on the London event again
Gail Emms, who won an Olympic silver medal in badminton at the 2004 Olympics, was all smiles after finishing in three hours and 47 minutes.
But she added: "I tired a little bit at 15 miles and then got cramp at 18 miles. My legs have just seized up. I'm still in pain and I've forgotten the whole route."
British runner Paula Radcliffe did not take part because of a broken toe, leaving reigning champion Irina Mikitenko to take the women's title for the second year in a row.British runner Paula Radcliffe did not take part because of a broken toe, leaving reigning champion Irina Mikitenko to take the women's title for the second year in a row.
Yamauchi came second, with Russian Liliya Shobukhova in third place.Yamauchi came second, with Russian Liliya Shobukhova in third place.
Kenyan runner Sammy Wanjiru won the men's title after defending champion and fellow Kenyan Martin Lel had to withdraw on Saturday after suffering a hip injury.Kenyan runner Sammy Wanjiru won the men's title after defending champion and fellow Kenyan Martin Lel had to withdraw on Saturday after suffering a hip injury.
Among the fun-runners was Postman Paul Simons, 45, from Edgware, north London.Among the fun-runners was Postman Paul Simons, 45, from Edgware, north London.
He ran the fastest-ever marathon by a man dressed as Santa Claus in two hours, 55 minutes and 50 seconds, in aid of premature baby charity Bliss.He ran the fastest-ever marathon by a man dressed as Santa Claus in two hours, 55 minutes and 50 seconds, in aid of premature baby charity Bliss.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson earlier insisted the marathon route would not change, despite an ongoing protest by Sri Lankan Tamils outside Parliament.Mayor of London Boris Johnson earlier insisted the marathon route would not change, despite an ongoing protest by Sri Lankan Tamils outside Parliament.
Usual routeUsual route
He denied reports that the route was to be diverted away from Parliament Square to Admiralty Arch.He denied reports that the route was to be diverted away from Parliament Square to Admiralty Arch.
"I want to reassure everybody the route will be the same length as normal," he told LBC radio. "We will not be cutting [it]... it will be the same route.""I want to reassure everybody the route will be the same length as normal," he told LBC radio. "We will not be cutting [it]... it will be the same route."
The Tamil protest has been taking place since the beginning of April.The Tamil protest has been taking place since the beginning of April.
The occasion is crucially important for charities and organisers say it is the largest single fundraising event in the world.The occasion is crucially important for charities and organisers say it is the largest single fundraising event in the world.
Last year runners raised more than £46m for charity.Last year runners raised more than £46m for charity.
The race began at 0900BST with the elite women, followed by the wheelchair athletes at 0920. The elite men began 25 minutes later with everybody else.The race began at 0900BST with the elite women, followed by the wheelchair athletes at 0920. The elite men began 25 minutes later with everybody else.
You can send us your marathon photos or video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.You can send us your marathon photos or video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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