London Marathon: The postponed event will involve elite athletes only
- 4 years ago
London Marathon event director Hugh Brasher said it was "not appropriate" to hold this year's race in the way it would normally be held, as it was announced that the pandemic-delayed event on October 4th would involve only elite athletes using a different course to usual.
Rather than starting in Greenwich in east London, there will be a looped 26.2-mile (42.2-kilometre) course around St James’s Park within a biosecure bubble with spectators excluded. 45,000 people who were supposed to take part in the event in the spring have been invited to take part in a "virtual race" across the world.
"This 4th of October will be a very, very special day." said Brasher. "A unique 40th race, and a race that hopefully in time people will really remember for the right reasons - for communities getting together, for people really showing the spirit of the London Marathon that still burns brightly in this day."
Rather than starting in Greenwich in east London, there will be a looped 26.2-mile (42.2-kilometre) course around St James’s Park within a biosecure bubble with spectators excluded. 45,000 people who were supposed to take part in the event in the spring have been invited to take part in a "virtual race" across the world.
"This 4th of October will be a very, very special day." said Brasher. "A unique 40th race, and a race that hopefully in time people will really remember for the right reasons - for communities getting together, for people really showing the spirit of the London Marathon that still burns brightly in this day."