Last year's London Marathon was particularly hard for Graham Sturge from Bedfordshire.

He lost his dad to cancer the evening before he was due to race. Graham carried on regardless and has decided to come back again this year.

Speaking on BBC One earlier, he said: "This is amazing. Twelve months on it's an amazing feeling.

"It puts all the demons to bed. He's always with me when I run. It's the reason for having the balloons on me. He's got seven grandchildren so at the end I'll be sending seven balloons up to grandad."

Graham will be finishing soon, in a time of around five hours. Look out for him on the finish cam!

Image source, .

Steven Doggett: Hard to think that just a few years ago we were sitting in a hospital room wondering if our mum would make it through her life threatening heart condition. But four years after being rushed into intensive care she’s running her first London Marathon for The British Heart Foundation.

One man who knows how to win a marathon around the streets of London is David Weir.

Earlier the Briton won his eighth London Marathon by successfully defending the title he won a year ago.

That took him two clear of Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson at the top of the all-time list for London Marathon wheelchair wins.

Weir retired from track racing last year - after falling out with British Athletics after Rio 2016- but still competes on the road.

"After Rio I think last year was a really weird year for me, both mentally and physically," he said.

"I didn't really celebrate the seventh win in London, but having that time away and thinking about what I want to do, it helped me fall back in love with the sport again.

Coming back this year has been good and I feel strong.

"I feel refreshed and motivated to do the rest of the marathons now."

Read the full report here.

If you're watching the live stream of the finish line right now, you'll see former Commonwealth middleweight boxer Michael Watson handing out medals.

Watson spent 40 days in a coma and had six brain operations after collapsing in the 12th round of a fight with Chris Eubank in September 1991.

The Londoner remarkably completed the marathon in 2003, crossing the finish line six days and more than two hours after most of his fellow competitors

Lizzie Rosewell has been through the battlefields to get to the start line today.

To make the centenary of the First World War, the former Army Officer has already run 14 marathons in the past two weeks, from Paris to London via the Western Front of WWI. She is raising money for The Soldiers' Charity.

It looks like she's on for a five-hour finish. Keep going, Lizzie!

Image source, Twitter @Lizzierunning

Sally Goodger: Well done to all our London Marathon runners today, raising vital funds for Shaw Education Trust. You're all superstars!!

Kyle Lloyd: Well done everyone you're doing brilliant

Dylan Lee: Congrats Alan of School of Rock who’s just completed the London Marathon at a time of 04:08!

Tom Gayle
BBC Get Inspired reporter at the finish line

Here's Dom dishing out the medals...

Image source, BBC Sport

...and some of the finishers can now finally top up the tan in the finish area...

Image source, BBC Sport

Scenes.

Brace yourselves for one of the greatest headlines ever written on BBC Sport...

A couple from Clifton are running today for a very special reason.

Adam and Alex Mason are raising money for The Children’s Society, the charity which Adam was adopted through as a baby.

Soon after race day, the husband and wife will find out if their dream to become adoptive parents themselves will turn into a reality.

Speaking about their motivation to run the marathon, Alex said: “Last year Adam took the London Marathon journey by himself, and I stood on the side lines cheering him on.

"This year we wanted to make that journey together, although I am not a natural runner and he might have to drag me over the finish line!"

Image source, The Children's Society

Here's how the para-athletes finished in the world marathon world cup race earlier today.

A soldier from Cambridgeshire is attempting to set a new world record for the fastest marathon in a suit of armour.

Sgt Paul Beddows has been training for the London Marathon since late 2017, wearing a suit of armour that weighs 4st 7lb (30kg).

He says he is quietly confident that he will be able to break the current record of six hours 46 minutes and 59 seconds.

He crossed the halfway point at 04:08:53.

BBC newsreader Sophie Raworth has crossed the finish line in her seventh London Marathon.

She prepared for today by the running 150 miles across the Sahara desert. Seriously.

"It felt really tough, it was really hot, it felt as hot as the Sahara and I am well placed to say that," she has just told Gabby Logan on BBC Two.

"A lot of people were walking, there were a lot of medics, people were struggling.

"I was 20 minutes slower but I've got my medal and that's what counts."

Charlotte: Watching the finish line cameras. Everyone is so impressive! Well done.

If you're watching at home and you want to try and spot a friend or family member, click on the finish-line link at the top of this page.

There are four static cameras capturing everyone as they filter over the line.

*waves*

Image source, .

We've already seen some fab costumes, as we do each year!

But this could be top of the lot...Owen Willis, 49, is dressed as a 5ft-wide poppy.

He is attempting to gain the world record for the "fastest marathon dressed as a three-dimensional plant (male)".

The father-of-three from Scarborough needs to reach the finish line in under five hours to beat the existing record. Read his full story here.

Image source, Owen Willis

Have you been inspired to put those trainers on and go out for a run?

It can be scary to start, especially if you've never really been a runner before.

But you can take it at your own pace and will be amazed at how quickly you improve!

This BBC Get Inspired guide will give you all the information you need to begin running.

Image source, Blazej Lyjak

Sue Strachan, who suffers from vascular dementia, spoke to Radzi on BBC Two at the halfway stage on Tower Bridge.

"It's amazing, the support from people along the way is fantastic. I have had a couple of wobbles but people from Alzheimer's Research gave me a kiss and said hello and I though that I have to do this, even if I have to walk at the end. I need to finish.

"I don't like it but running makes me feel good, with the type of dementia I have.

"You can live a good life with dementia and I know it's challenging for some people. But you can help them. Play music to them, show them photographs. They can understand you and they do know what's going on.

"Why shouldn't someone with dementia run the marathon? I hope more people will take up running. I started with Couch to 5k, and here I am now, halfway through the marathon."