London Marathon 2014: In pictures
- Published
It was a case of spot the celebrity at the start of this year's London Marathon, as TV presenter Jenni Falconer, news reader Sophie Raworth, model Amy Willerton and footballer Michael Owen were among stars lined up to take on 26.2 miles.
Meanwhile, Mo Farah (centre) made his hotly-anticipated competitive debut in the marathon as the bookies favourite.
Farah had hoped to beat the British record of two hours, seven minutes and 13 seconds, but missed out by about one minute, finishing in eighth place. Speaking after the race, he said he was disappointed but would be back.
It was Wilson Kipsang of Kenya who took victory in the men's elite race - setting a new course record of 2:04.7 in the process. He also won the event in 2012.
In the women's elite race, Florence Kiplagat and fellow Kenyan Edna Kiplagat ran alongside each other throughout the course before a dramatic sprint finish won by the latter.
Once the elite races were over, the focus switched to the sea of colourful runners who made their way along the course in temperatures that soared into the late-teens.
It was easy to spot Wally among the legions of fun-runners who took part.
Paralympic gold medallist Richard Whitehead raced past Parliament, while rugby player Lewis Moody, footballer Michael Owen and shadow chancellor Ed Balls looked confident at the start of the race. Owen later described it as "the hardest thing I've ever done" but said the support of the crowd had been "great".
Tony Phoenix-Morrison created an extra challenge for himself by racing with a fridge strapped to his back. Meanwhile, classical singer Laura Wright and chef Michael Roux looked ready to take on the challenge.
About 36,000 fun-runners took part in this year's London Marathon, raising thousands of pounds for charity.
And many thousands took to the streets of London to catch the action.
There was elation at the finishing line.
For some, it was a major relief to have completed the famous course from Blackheath to The Mall.
For many, exhaustion and rest followed.
- Published13 April 2014
- Published13 April 2014
- Attribution
- Published13 April 2014
