About the Virgin London Marathon
The 2012 Virgin London Marathon will take place on Sunday 22nd April.
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Since its inaugural running in 1981, the Virgin London Marathon has developed a global reputation for its fast, record-setting course. Each year the Virgin London Marathon hosts representatives from more than 50 countries to compete on this world stage. Elite runners compete for a portion of £150,000, while the fairly flat, city landscape and spring climate combine to provide the best backdrop for posting records – personal, national and world.
Capacity:
35,700
Recent Participation:
| Year | Finishers | Male | Female |
| 2003 | 32,288 | 23,972 | 8,316 |
| 2004 | 31,796 | 23,355 | 8,441 |
| 2005 | 35,105 | 24,641 | 10,464 |
| 2006 | 33,222 | 23,060 | 10,162 |
| 2007 | 35,700 | 24,825 | 10,875 |
| 2008 | 34,497 | 23,576 | 10,921 |
| 2009 | 35,268 | 24,231 | 11,037 |
| 2010 | 36,550 | 24,423 | 12,127 |
| 2011 | 34,705 | 24,423 | 12,262 |
Estimated Spectators:
1 million
Total Prize Purse:
$313,000 + time + record bonuses
Official Charity:
The Children's Trust
World Records (Men):
2:05:38 – Khalid Khannouchi – 2002
World Records (Women):
2:15:25 – Paula Radcliffe – 2003 (mixed race)
2:17:42 – Paula Radcliffe – 2005 (women only)
2:18:56 – Paula Radcliffe – 2002 (women only)
2:21:06 – Ingrid Kristiansen – 1985 (mixed race)
2:23:22 – Joyce Chepchumba – 1999 (women only)
2:25:09 – Manuela Machado – 1999 (W35 record)
2:25:29 – Grete Waitz – 1983 – (mixed race)
British Records (Men):
2:08:16 – Steve Jones – 1985
British Records (Women):
2:15:25 – Paula Racliffe – 2003 (mixed race)
2:17:42 – Paula Radcliffe – 2005 (Women only)
Course records:
2:05:10 - Sammy Wanjiru - 2009
2:05:15 – Martin Lel – 2008
2:05:38 – Khalid Khannouchi – 2002
2:17:42 – Paula Radcliffe – 2005 (Women only)
2:15:25 – Paula Radcliffe – 2003 (mixed race)
