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Marathon runners take to streets Marathon runners take to streets
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of runners - including celebrities and charity fundraisers - have been taking part in this year's London Marathon.Thousands of runners - including celebrities and charity fundraisers - have been taking part in this year's 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 is expected to raise millions of pounds for charities.
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.
That had risen to 16C by 1100BST, while tail-end runners struggled with temperatures in the high-teens throughout the afternoon.
It hurt the whole way round - but it's great to come out and do this Singer Ronan Keating Live London Marathon map In pictures: London MarathonIt hurt the whole way round - but it's great to come out and do this Singer Ronan Keating Live London Marathon map In pictures: London Marathon
Other runners taking part included celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, who ran his 10th 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 included celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, who ran his 10th 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, running for children's charity Vision, said she had suffered a knee injury which was strapped up before the race.Price, running for children's charity Vision, said she had suffered a knee injury which was strapped up before the race.
"I'm still going to finish it, whether I'm limping. It's for charity and I want to get past the finish line," she said."I'm still going to finish it, whether I'm limping. It's for charity and I want to get past the finish line," she said.
After completing the run in just over four hours, Ramsay - raising cash for the Scottish Spina Bifida Association - said this was "the hardest race yet".After completing the run in just over four hours, Ramsay - raising cash for the Scottish Spina Bifida Association - said this was "the hardest race yet".
"It was so hot out there but there was amazing support.""It was so hot out there but there was amazing support."
Boyzone's Ronan Keating, running in aid of Cancer Research UK, confessed: "It hurt the whole way round. I'm not really a mileage runner... but it's great to come out and do this."Boyzone's Ronan Keating, running in aid of Cancer Research UK, confessed: "It hurt the whole way round. I'm not really a mileage runner... but it's great to come out and do this."
His bandmate - an emotional Keith Duffy - described the race as an "amazing experience" after finishing in three hours and 52 minutes as he raised cash for children with autism.His bandmate - an emotional Keith Duffy - described the race as an "amazing experience" after finishing in three hours and 52 minutes as he raised cash for children with autism.
"The crowd were great. There's moments come and you can't go any further but the crowd just keep you going." "The crowd were great. Moments come and you can't go any further but the crowd just keep you going."
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.
Former model Katie Price was hampered by a knee injury Meet Wonderwoman and Stig as they take on the London Marathon
He is running 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.
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. Nell McAndrew was the first celebrity to cross the line, recording a time of 3 hours, 10 minutes and 20 seconds.
The model, raising cash for Cancer Research UK, said : "I can't believe it. It's nice to have a woman win the title this year."
Olympic badminton silver medallist Gail Emms was all smiles after finishing 37 minutes later.
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."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."
Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Chris Boardman, running for the National Autistic Society, described the experience as "horrible".
"Towards the last three or four miles I just couldn't care less. I just wanted somebody to shoot me but since they wouldn't I had to keep going," he said.
Former model Katie Price was hampered by a knee injury
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 had earlier reassured the public the marathon route would not be altered to accommodate an ongoing protest by Sri Lankan Tamils outside Parliament.
Usual route
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."
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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