Summary

  • Ethiopia's Shura Kitata wins men's title after thrilling sprint finish

  • World record holder Eliud Kipchoge finishes shock eighth

  • World record holder Brigid Kosgei of Kenya retains women's title

  • David Weir misses out on men's wheelchair title as Canada's Brent Lakatos wins

  • Nikita den Boer of the Netherlands wins women's wheelchair race

  • Races took place in bio-secure closed course over 19 laps of a 1.5 mile circuit

  • 45,000 runners took part in virtual London Marathon across the world

  1. Who are the leaders?published at 08:04 British Summer Time 4 October 2020

    Right at the front it's marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei v marathon world champion Ruth Chepngetich.

    Kosgei took more than 80 seconds from Paula Radcliffe’s 16-year-old world record at the Chicago Marathon last October when she ran 2:14:04 to defend her title.

    Chepngetich clinched the world title in Doha last year.

    Valary Jemeli has just fallen slightly behind. Jemeli broke the Frankfurt Marathon course record last year when she won in 2:19:19.

  2. 'Leaders not relaxing'published at 08:01 British Summer Time 4 October 2020

    Hannah England
    Former world 1500m silver medallist on BBC TV

    Chepngetich and Kosgei are not relaxing. They're fighting for the lead, looking at each other and trying to size each other up with another hour and a half of running to go.

    They want to know who has got it in the tank to finish this race.

  3. Postpublished at 07:59 British Summer Time 4 October 2020

    One of the cardboard cut-out fans along the side of the course appears to be a storm trooper. Not exactly sure what the process to select who or what would get to be made into a cut-out.

    The rain appears to have turned to drizzle now so conditions are a bit more pleasant for the second half-hour.

    Kenyans Brigid Kosgei, Ruth Chepngetich and Valary Jemeli still look very comfortable out in front with 14 of the 19.6 laps to go.

  4. Postpublished at 07:56 British Summer Time 4 October 2020

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  5. Postpublished at 07:53 British Summer Time 4 October 2020

    Lily Partridge, who is going for the Olympic qualifying time today, has decided it's warm enough to take her coat off. You would think so half an hour into a marathon...

    Fellow Briton Steph Twell isn't quite ready yet and keeps hers on.

  6. Postpublished at 07:50 British Summer Time 4 October 2020

    The athletes cross the finish line again, so there are 15 laps to go now.

    They have pushed the pace, meaning Ashete Bekere has fallen back and Valary Jemeli has joined an all-Kenyan leading group with Brigid Kosgei and Ruth Chepngetich.

  7. Postpublished at 07:47 British Summer Time 4 October 2020

    Women's elite race

    Hannah England
    Former world 1500m silver medallist on BBC TV

    I feel like they were a bit off the pace in the first half-hour but the pacemakers have really pushed on.

    Maybe they were warming up a bit, it was cold and wet so a slow start.

  8. Postpublished at 07:43 British Summer Time 4 October 2020

    A lot of talk about the weather conditions this morning. Here are some of the highs and lows across the race's 39 years.

    Hottest Marathon Day: 2018 (24.2°C)

    Coldest Marathon Day: 2004 (5.3°C)

    Most humid: 1981 (94% at 12 noon)

    Least humid: 1996 (28% at 12 noon)

    Wettest: 2004 (12.4mm of rain)

    Sunniest: 2009 (12.3 hours of sunshine)

  9. Kosgei still leadingpublished at 07:39 British Summer Time 4 October 2020

    The organisers have placed cardboard cut-outs of fans along the route in an attempt to motivate athletes. Curiously, even the cardboard cut-outs seem to be socially distanced.

    The leaders have just completed the fifth mile in a speedy 5:09, meaning the leading pack has splintered a bit.

    World record holder Brigid Kosgei is still up there, joined by Ruth Chepngetich and Ashete Bekere. Seventeen and a half laps to go.

  10. Marathon shoutouts - #bbcmarathonpublished at 07:38 British Summer Time 4 October 2020

    Emma Regan: Best of Luck to the amazing Dave who will be running his first ever marathon in Hyde Park today for @MakeAWishUK, external. I'll be there, cheering you on in the rain! #bbcmarathon, external

  11. Postpublished at 07:35 British Summer Time 4 October 2020

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  12. Send us your virtual race stories!published at 07:32 British Summer Time 4 October 2020

    Take a look at some of your training videos and don't forget to send us your virtual marathon stories to be featured across the BBC.

    Please use this link - https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u59050709 - to send in your videos.

    You can also send in your messages of support via the hashtag #bbcmarathon or by texting 81111.

    Media caption,

    London Marathon: Watch your training stories and send us your marathon videos

  13. Your coverage menupublished at 07:29 British Summer Time 4 October 2020

    Women's elite race:

    07:00-10:00 - BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and mobile app

    Uninterrupted coverage of the whole day:

    07:15-15:20 - Connected TVs, BBC Sport website and mobile app

    Men's elite race:

    10:00-13:00 - BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and mobile app

    A Wright Marathon Workout with Mark Wright:

    12:45-13:15 - BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and mobile app

    Wheelchair races:

    13:00-15:20 - BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and mobile app

    Highlights:

    19:00-20:00 - BBC Red Button

    23:35-00:35 - BBC Two (00:00-01:00 in Northern Ireland)

  14. Postpublished at 07:29 British Summer Time 4 October 2020

    It's an early start for the women but this is just the beginning of a whole day of marathon.

    Here's what you can expect.

  15. Postpublished at 07:26 British Summer Time 4 October 2020

    Marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei, the favourite to win this one, is nestled just behind the pacemakers

    Fellow Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich is right next to her as the sun finally comes up.

  16. The routepublished at 07:23 British Summer Time 4 October 2020

    The rain, cold and dark isn't the only difference in this year's marathon.

    The athletes have just completed their first lap, yes lap, of the course.

    They'll do 19.6, finishing in the traditional place on The Mall.

    The route also takes in Horse Guards Parade, Birdcage Walk and the spur road running adjacent to the front of Buckingham Palace.

  17. A London Marathon unlike any otherpublished at 07:22 British Summer Time 4 October 2020

    Not even light yet but the women's race is under way. Not the most pleasant view in the rain.

    London MarathonImage source, BBC Sport
  18. get involved

    Get Involved #bbcmarathonpublished at 07:19 British Summer Time 4 October 2020

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  19. Postpublished at 07:19 British Summer Time 4 October 2020

    This isn't the only marathon going on today. People are running their own all over the country.

    For example...

  20. Postpublished at 07:17 British Summer Time 4 October 2020

    Hannah England
    Former world 1500m silver medallist on BBC TV

    Brigid Kosgei is the favourite on paper but the athletes have all been in lockdown so you never know.

    It is wet and a little bit windy but they are sheltered.