James Cracknell
Double Olympic Rowing gold medallist on BBC TV

I just nipped under 2:55 this year, that's my second-fastest here.

I think it's a real testament to what people have done over the last year, they've done most of their training on their own when they're allowed outside.

It's the first time in a while that everybody's been heading in the right direction, without people having different opinions, it's a sign of everything getting back to normal.

It really is the best thing about being British, people coming and supporting their mate, their partner, their charity, then staying and clapping everyone else. It's really good.

Image source, Getty Images

Nathan: I mean running the London Marathon is hard enough, but to run in Ski boots?!?! Mental. Fair play.

Image source, BBC Sport

Kenyan Joyciline Jepkosgei, who upset world record holder Brigid Kosgei to claim her first London Marathon title said on BBC One:

"I'm very excited. A beautiful day for running. It was a great achievement. I'm happy. The race was good. They cheered us all the way and they motivated us. I'm so grateful and excited.

"I'm so happy for the London crowd. Every kilometre there were people cheering all the way."

Image source, Getty Images

Manny: Big shout out to my friend Catherine Smith running London Marathon today - so proud of your efforts and continued commitment from starting out with a couch to 5k!! Massive well done.

Laura: Shout out to my amazing, and slightly mad, friend Andrea Browning running the London Marathon today. She’s just crossed Tower Bridge. Eh Up Andrea. Keep going.

Another runner going for a quite specific world record is Neil Murphy.

He's aiming to run the fastest marathon dressed as a three-dimensional aircraft.

Neil needs to run it in under five hours and three minutes and he hadn't had a chance to run in the costume before today.

"My father was a pilot for 30-odd years," he explained on BBC Radio 5 Live before the run.

"He passed away two years ago from a brain tumour. I got in touch with Brain Research UK who offered me a place in the marathon.

"I decided I’d do it in costume and I found the fastest aeroplane record existed.

"As the day approaches I’m wondering where I went wrong because it’s quite a big costume and it’s quite a windy day so there’s every chance of me getting airborne.

"You won’t miss it. It’s bright green and it’s got a big, white tail."

The marathon tracking app says his estimated finish is 4:14.20 with 18.64 miles covered so definitely on track for that record!

Image source, Getty Images

Ten men have run every single one of the 40 London Marathons since the inaugural race in 1981.

Chris Finill, the youngest at 62, told us earlier this week about how the race and the city have changed in that time.

Back in the day, you would be buying the next day's paper or waiting around for the postman to find out your official time...

Image source, Getty

We've been following Eleanor Mahmoud - who is running for Neuroblastoma UK in memory of her brother Neil - round the course.

She's made it to mile 11 and even had enough energy to stop for a selfie with boyfriend Rupert.

Keep your messages and pictures coming in on Twitter using #bbcmarathon

Image source, Eleanor Mahmoud

Steve Cram
Athletics commentator on BBC TV

After everything that has happened over the past eighteen months or so, these people will have been training during lockdown, we spoke about Phil Sesemann [who was the top Brit in the men's elite race] training with his dogs on the trails.

It will have been hard to train during lockdown, but people have managed somehow and here we are.

This will have been a goal for a lot of people for a long time.

Image source, Getty Images

Emma: My dad Miguel Possolo is running the London marathon today for Diabetes UK, a close charity to our family's heart as my mom has it, he is an inspiration to us all, first marathon he has run. We couldn't be any more proud of him!!

Nick: Wishing all the best for a good race to Pete Hooper running in memory of Russell Scott and in support of the MND charity, from mum & dad.

Switzerland's Manuela Schar took victory in the women's wheelchair race, while compatriot Marcel Hug was the men's winner. Both set new course records, with Schar finishing in 1:39.52 and Hug in 1:26.27.

Hug said on BBC One: "It's very nice to be back here in London with this great atmosphere. It's perfect to have a marathon like this."

Schar said: "It was so amazing. it's so great to be back. I prefer to race on the usual course [as opposed to last year's coronavirus-enforced loop] and I enjoyed it so much with the crowd. The weather was perfect so I had a great day."

Image source, Getty Images

Thirty-one mass runners have already crossed the finish line, with Kenny Wilson finishing top in an impressive 2:18.42 and Shalane Flanagan - an Olympic silver medallist in 2008 - the fastest woman in 2:35.04.

If you're expecting someone to complete their 26.2 miles soon, you can watch a dedicated finish line cam at the top of this page.

As well as those in the capital, there are 40,000 people running the marathon virtually.

Nick Wright is one of those. Here he is finishing in Teddington's Bushy Park in 2:59.18, with daughters Eva and Kit waiting for him at the finish line. Great work Nick!

Send us your virtual marathon stories and pictures on Twitter using #bbcmarathon

Image source, Nick Wright

Britain's David Weir, completed the London Marathon for an incredible 22nd time in a row today.

Weir's sprint finish helped him get on the podium in third and he said on BBC One: "It's good to be back on the old course and having the crowd supporting you.

"It gives you an extra boost along the course. It's my 22nd marathon in a row. I don't know how many more I'm going to do now."

Image source, Getty Images

Alistair: Michelle, I don't know how you do it. A marathon within 12 months of starting running. Amazing. You go LAAD.

Rachael: Good luck Pops and well done for all the money you've raised. Love Rach, Phil Jacob and Connie xx

Laura: GO BARNIE running in memory of our beautiful Mia who sadly passed away from epilepsy in 2018. We are so proud of you.

There are plenty of famous faces to look out for in this year's marathon, including former England cricket captain Andrew Strauss and West End star Carrie Hope Fletcher.

Former England rugby league stars Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock and Keith Senior and former England footballers Danny Mills and Stephen Warnock have all got their running shoes on, too.

Any EastEnders fans with us? Look out for Stevie Basaula, Toby-Alexander Smith and Tanya Franks.

Also running are former Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan and radio DJ Chris Evans.

There are also a number former athletes rolling back the years today, including Liz McColgan (London Marathon winner 1996) and Zola Budd.

Image source, getty

Woody: The stories of the ordinary runners make me so emotional - such determination.

Running Angel: I’m a wreck watching these inspiring stories of why people are running the London Marathon.

Joe: I’m in pieces listening to everyone’s stories on the #bbcmarathon, external coverage. Good luck to all the runners today, tracking results for three friends online and willing you over that finish line!