History of the London Marathon

Later that year, Brasher traveled to America, where the running boom of the late 1970s had originated. He witnessed the Boston Marathon, the world’s oldest, and revisited the New York City race. He studied both races’ organisation and finances.

Upon his return, Brasher prepared a budget for the first London Marathon, showing an expected expenditure of £75,000. With the help of agents he also found a sponsor, Gillette, who was prepared to offer £50,000.

At a second meeting with the GLC, police and athletics’ authorities, Brasher was given the go-ahead with one proviso from GLC leader, the late Sir Horace Cutler, who told him: “You never ask the ratepayers to bail you out. Not a penny from the ratepayers.”

Charitable status was established and, together with John Disley, a running contemporary and business partner, Brasher devised six aims for the London Marathon:

• To improve the overall standard and status of British marathon running by providing a fast course and strong international competition.

• To show to mankind that, on occasions, the Family of Man can be united.

• To raise money for the provision of recreational facilities in London.

• To help London tourism

• To prove that when it comes to organizing major events, “Britain is best”.

• To have fun and provide some happiness and sense of achievement in a troubled world.

Five months later, the first event was held, on March 29 1981. Some 20,000 people wanted to run. 7,747 were accepted. There were 6,255 finishers, led home by the American Dick Beardsley and Norwegian Inge Simonsen who staged a spectacular and fitting dead-heat at the rain-swept finish on Constitution Hill. Joyce Smith, 43 years-old and the mother of two children broke the British record to win the women’s race.