22/04/2012 London Marathon

Welcome to London, to Buckingham Palace, to the mile, the most

famous address in London and the scene of some of the nation's

greatest celebrations. And here is where we started to dream of what

the London Olympics might be like and where we hope we will see gold

and glory in July. It is where we have seen some of the finest

marathon performances ever. Today it is where we will see the world's

best distance runners try to win the race and booked their places

for the Olympic Games. It is worth 35,000 runners of all ages, shapes

and sizes can compete in the same race as the world's best to

challenge themselves, to raise money, to achieve the magical goal

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 56 seconds

of 26 miles, 385 yards. This is the Good morning and welcome to

Blackheath. It is a cold morning in South East London with a threat of

rain it later in the day, but that will not dampen the spirits of

those taking part because this is one of the most inspirational days

in sport. The London Marathon is an immense challenge, physically,

mentally and emotionally. Here are some of the athletes and the

stories we will be following. Today is all about courage and commitment,

but these two rugby league favourites require endurance as

well. We will hear the latest on their epic journey from Palace --

Paris to the Mall. It is also about making an impression. Can one of

the British women competing today claim that final place in Team GB?

It is about making a difference. Jane Tomlinson did just that,

inspiring millions and raising millions. 10 years on from her

first London Marathon, her husband and daughter continued fund-raising

to keep her memory and legacy alive. The elite racers promise more fast

times and thrilling finishes, with Olympic selection still an issue

for many, a including Mary Keitany, last year's impressive winner. Her

competition includes a strong Kenyan Quartet, featuring Florence

Kiplagat. David Weir became the first man to win five titles. Today

he could equal Tanni Grey- Thompson's 6 London victories, but

he will have to do it the hard way against the strongest field ever

assembled. There is talent galore in the men's rays also. After

smashing the course record, Emmanuel Mutai is back to defend

his title, up against Patrick Makau who erase Haile Gebrselassie's

world record last year. It promises to be an intense battle at the

front and an immense struggle further down the field as once

again many well-known faces take up the challenge alongside those

raising money for charity and others overcoming adversity.

Prepare to be touched, moved and inspired by their stories today. We

have all that to look forward to. 2012 is very special and that is

reflected in the Virgin London Marathon. In the Diamond Jubilee

yet the royal presence will be at the finish line today. Prince Harry

will be presenting the prizes. At the start, 95 days and so will the

London Olympics, they will be sent on their way by an Olympian, a very

special athlete indeed. She was the first British woman to win an

athletics British medal and she is 92 years young, having won her

first in 1936. Dorothy Tyler, it is lovely to meet you. You were just

16, what was your first impression of the Olympics in Berlin? You come

upon it suddenly. Suddenly there is this great big plays with lots of

people with walking around and flags like mad, especially in

Germany with a swastika on. You get into its hands know where you are.

Of course, the men had an Olympic Village, you might say, which the

women were not allowed in. We were taken off in buses to a freezing

house, it was called that because it was a woman's PE college.

have got wonderful memories. I am writing a book. It is a good place

to mention the boat. You jump in the conventional way and you are

very much against the Fosbury flop. Yes, I told them not to do that.

Even now in the over 80s you have been a golf champion three times?

Yes, three times. When I competed you were not allowed to put your

head over first because it weighs more than the rest of your body. An

American athlete cleared the world record, but her head went over

first and they took it away from her. I see. Congratulations and it

is lovely to see you and to have the honour of sending them on their

way. Dorothy knows what it means to win an Olympic medal, but even

taking part in the Games is something to be immensely proud of

and that is the target for many of the British runners today.

Just one golden ticket remains. Paula Radcliffe secured her place

for 2012, so too has Mara Yamauchi. Today's rays will be deciding who

fills that treasured final spot. Jo Pavey put her marker down with a

time of 2 hours 28 minutes and 24 seconds last year, well inside the

Olympic qualifying standard of two hours and 31. Today she watches and

waits hoping none of her British rivals better that time and steal

her thunder. I am Liz Yelling. former Commonwealth Games bronze

medallist and now a 37-year-old mother is bidding for her third

victory in the marathon. If experience counts, she could have

the last shirt on selection. I have got the pedigree, but I have not

shown it in the last three years. am Louise Damen. Louise made her

debut last year and was the second finisher in exactly two-and-a-half

hours. A teacher and self coached athlete, she needs no educating in

the task at hand. We have to run better than we have ever run before

and that makes it relatively simple. You have got to give it your best.

Claire Hallissey. She is based in the United States where she sliced

seven minutes of her personal best in Chicago last October to achieve

the Olympic qualifying standard. It has been done before and cheap fix

the template. We are all aware of what Jo Pavey has done and we will

be trying to do better than her time, and it is going to be a

strong race. Scott Overall has his Olympic tickets courtesy of an

amazing run in Berlin last year. Two places remain open. He will be

pace-setting today for the likes of Benedict Whitby who came 11th in

Berlin but he missed out on the Olympic qualifying time. It is

tough. Not many British people have run under 2.12. Lee Merrien has

warned that the Great Britain vest with pride. His 40th place finish

in London last year means he took almost two minutes of his personal

best and it offers some encouragement of now making the

Olympic cut. When you run the London Marathon in an Olympic year,

it makes it even more special. is a very important day and we wish

them well. I am here at the start and I will be talking to some of

the celebrities. But down at the start, deep into Greenwich Park is

Jonathan Edwards. Who have you got with you?

Very appropriately I am in the bandstand. I have got James, Jeremy

and Clare beside me. Tell me about the charity you are running for?

Inspired does work with people with spinal cord injuries. We are hoping

to raise �10,000 today. Tell me about the cello. We have all been

cellists since childhood and we decided it would be fun to do

extreme things with them, a bit like the extreme mile, but a more

musical version. It is the first time you have done a marathon?

the first time. Have you been training with them? Yes, we have.

And you finishing quote will be? Wonderful, don't they want to make

it hard on themselves. More from Jonathan a bit later on. If you

know someone who is running today, and you want to send them a message,

you can text us on the usual number, or you can tweet us. We will be

running some of those messages later on in the day after the elite

racers have finished. The first is the women's race, which is off at 9

o'clock and Colin Jackson has been over there to meet some of those

taking part. Yes, indeed. I am standing outside

the elite women's tent and this is where all the action will take

place. The best marathon runners in the world assembled here. I am

interested in talking to one young lady. She has represented Scotland

at 10,000 metres and 5000 metres, but this will be her marathon debut.

There has been a lot said about her and there is a lot at stake because

the third spots for the Olympic Games is up for grabs. Her name is

Freya Murray. How are you feeling? Nervous, but excited. You have come

to this competition in good shape. You have run a personal best.

that was a good stepping stone to theirs, so we are hoping today will

go well. You are not the only person up for that third place?

definitely not, there will be a good bunch going for us, so it

should be a good race. The British as well those in front as well.

wish you all the best indeed and I will be looking out for you. Thank

you. The London Marathon has grown into one of the world's truly

iconic races. Open to all ages and abilities with people sharing the

tarmac with their running he raised. It does not matter how fast you are

or how experienced you are, everyone is nervously awaiting the

start. What an exciting day this is, the colour, the costumes and the

camaraderie. As you can see it is a lovely, bright, sunny start, which

is great for the runners, but it is very cold, I can tell you that.

There is a chance of showers later on this morning and getting heavier

this afternoon. Now for the course and this is what the runners can

look forward to. It is relatively flat and fast. There are three

starting points at Blackheath and when the race gets under way they

head east into Charlton and Woolwich for the first three miles.

Then it they turn west through Greenwich before reaching the Cutty

Sark. The cause of this year is returning to pass by this famous

landmark that has been restored after the fire of five years ago.

The runners stay south of the river as they head towards Tower Bridge.

The bridge is a boost for tired legs as it signals the halfway

point is not far away. After crossing the River Thames the

course turns east along The Highway and on to Docklands. After a tour

around the Isle of Dogs the next major landmark is Canary Wharf, the

19 mile mark. From there they head back towards St Katharine's Dock

and the Tower of London and Castle and prison founded in 1066. Now

there is just four miles to go through the City of London and

alongside the banks of the River Thames until they reached Big Ben

and Parliament Square. Just one mile remains as they pass by the

most famous site of all, Buckingham Palace, followed by the most

welcome sight of all, the finish Excitement and amazement can

describe our commentators after being locked away in Television

Centre. They have a mobile comentribox. I can speak to Brendan

Foster. This is quite a change? is unbelievable, Sue. I've seen 817,

819 runners cross the finishing line. In all 32 running events I've

commentated on. For the first time ever, I'll see a human being in the

London Marathon. I'll see the finish line of the London Marathon.

It is remarkable for me. You see, they are so easily pleased. Enjoy

your day. They have a wonderful view of the finish, The Mall and

Buckingham Palace. There's another famous landmark in London which

features once again on the course. The Cutty Sark first laufrplged in

1869 carrying tea from India to London. It was moved from dry dock

to Greenwich where it the was put on dry dock. There was a plan to

raise the vessel three metres to relieve pressure on the hull but

then, disaster. Fire ripped through the vessel in May 2 ,000 7. The

damage was extensive. But Cutty Sark structure was amazingly still

in tact. Restoration began again using much of the ship's original

timbers. Five years on, this much- loved ship has reached its new

elevated position where it will sit in a sea of glass overlooking the

Thames towards the city of London. It opens again for visitors later

this week. That is one of the landmarks facing

these two today. They are from St Helens, Steve Prescott and Paul

Sculthorpe. We mentioned this incredible eight-day endurance

challenge. How are you feeling? Pretty tired, Sue. But we're here

and in it to win it. You have some Jiri problems. I can smell the

linament. An all-over body massage this morning. An incredible journey.

We started with the Paris marathon last Sunday. We cycled the day

after and the day after that. We rowed the channel yesterday. We got

permission in galeforce four winds over the channel. The ten-foot

waves. We got there with the help of ex-team-mates. We got there last

night. We got back to our hotel at about 9.00 last night. Paul, you

hadn't even run a marathon. And you're doing two in one week?

made me marathon debut in Paris last Sunday. It was a tough one but

we've had a fabulous week for two gate causes. Really looking forward

to today. Steve's done two before. Looking forward to it. Let's

mention the foundation. The reason you're running. Take us back to

2006 when you were training to run and tell us what happened. I was in

2006 I was diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer and begin

months to live. I'm here now, five, six years later, running marathons

and doing endurance events. You take each day as it comes. Keep

going and get on with life. He's an inspiration, Paul? He is. When I

was asked to do this, how could I refuse. The man's an inspiration.

hope you raise lots and lots of money. See you at the finish

whatever time it is. competitive streak in both of us,

we'll give it a good go today. There are many reasons people run

the London Marathon. A moving day today for jez and Johnny. Jez's

brother was killed last year. They were at his funeral a year ago

today. Je skrbgs, you were with him. What happened? Gareth and I had

devised a challenge where we would run and cycle from Belfast to

London. Do four marathons and cycle 400 miles in eight days for our

friend John Irwin who died in 2010. On the stpourt day in North Wales

Gareth was killed as we were cycling along the roads. He was

buried ayear ago on this day. The idea was to raise as much money for

a wonderful cause. It was just tragic it ended in that way. Today

is about trying to complete it. Johnny, you did run the marathon

course the day before the marathon? Jez ran it last year. This year, we

decided to finish the challenge. The four-day challenge started in

Wales. Cycled 125 miles on Thursday. Ran a marathon in Bristol on Friday.

My first ever marathon. Cycled 125 miles from Bristol to London

yesterday. Haven't had much sleep. All the best for today. Our

thoughts and all the viewers watching are are with you. Thank

you very much. Our just giving page is just giving.com any support

would appreciated by us and our charity as well. Thank you, guys.

I'm sure they'll get tremendous support. We wish them well. For the

first six miles they are in Greenwich. Heading towards

Greenwich Park, the oldest of the Royal Parks dating back to 1433. It

will be a major part of the Olympic Games featuring all the eeqes Iain

eevpbts and the modern pentathlon. It will be a very exciting summer

of sport. -- equestrian. An exciting day for these two. Sophie

Raworth and Eddie Nesteer. You finished last year, Sophie. You

have some unfinished business. What happened at 24hiels? Last year, I

was -- 24 miles. I wasn't feeling great. It was very hot. I thought

my heart was going extremely fast then woke up with a temperatures of

106 on oxygen, stuffing my clothes with ice packs. I had a collapse.

St John Ambulance looked after me for two-and-a-half hours. Got me

back on my feet. Were going to put me on a bus. I said no, I ran to

the end and finished in six hours, 22 minutes. If I don't shave a bit

off that today, I'm giving up! Eddie, you were training for this

marathon in 2007 and found a lump? Found a lump at the top of my right

thigh. Found out it was Hodge kipbs lymphoma. Unfinished business. Five

years on, in remission. What better way to celebrate in an Olympic year

than to finish it. Five years is a significant time. Anyone who's had

cancer knows five years is significant. You are at risk of

developing it again and then it goes back to normal. I've ignored

the ping beard. But I can't. You've been running weekly chal epbs s?

I'm on BBC London. Listeners have helped and encourage me to raise

money. I was offered money if I had an Arsenal skafrpb but I couldn't

find one! -- an Arsenal scarf. Sophie, what time are you doing it

in? My mother's watching. She's appalled you're running. We

certainly wish Sophie and Eddie well. We'll speak to them at the

end. The first of the elite races gets underway at 9.00. Phil Jones

can take us through the main contenders.

Leading Kenya's formidable challenge is Katya Virshilas who

Mary Keitany who saw her smash the world best for the half Mara thon.

Florence Kiplagat became the 11th woman in history to break the

magical two hours 20 mark beating Paula Radcliffe into the bargain.

Already a cross-country and world marathon runner London glory

beckons. Edna Kiplagat is world marathon champion, she was third in

London last year. Kabir Hussain has emerged as a strong contender after

joining the sub two hours 20 club in January when she was edged into

second place by Ethiopia's Medessa. The European challenge is led today

by Irina Mikitenko. Twice London Marathon winner in 2008 and 2000.

She was second last year behind Kiplagat but ahead of Paula

Radcliffe. There's always something special about your first London

Marathon. What is it like? atmosphere is fantastic. Very happy

to be part of it. I hope I can complete the 26 miles. You're

running with a purpose? I am. I'm a book publisher as well as an

amateur runner. Tomorrow is world book night. I'm running the

marathon for world book night and the book trade charity. Tomorrow,

hundreds of thousands of books will be begin out all over the UK by

20,000 passionate readers who have the same passion as the people

running today. You're giving out books on the way? I'll give out the

25 books we're difficult ing away tomorrow. I'm ending with Things

Fall Apart for the last mile! seen a few people fall apart in the

last mile. Good luck. Hope you enjoy it. I'm giving you the first

of the novels to be give en away. Cormac McConnell's On The Road.

Thank you, enjoy. We're ready for our first race. It is the women's

race. Off at 9.00. We can hand over to our commentaters. Brendan Foster

is joined by Paul Dickenson, Steve Cram and Tanni Grey-Thompson.

Good morning. What a great day in prospect. The women just about

prospect. The women just about ready to start. We've seen Mary

The Kenyans trying to cement their chances of being in the Olympics

later in the year. That's something which the British athletes are also

looking to do. The main contenders for the British spot, Claire

Hallissey, Freya Murray. All the big names, a fantastic line-up for

this year's events. Let's introduce you to a few of the main contenders.

Jessica Augusto from Portugal. Already selected for their team.

Former European cross-country Former European cross-country

champion. Snl. She's 42 years of age. Constantina Dita needs to run

32. 7 today to be able to be back here in August to defend that title.

Great North Run winner and sub 2.20 in January, that might not yet be

good enough to make the Kenyan team. She's back here in London to try to

give herself the best chance possible for Olympic selection.

Next to her, her team-mate, the world champion sorry Berlin

marathon champion, Florence Kiplagat. She beat Irina Mikitenko

and Paula Radcliffe. Ejegayehu Dibaba, 1 last year in Chicago.

We'll see shortly about her fitness. Former two-time winner of the

London marathon, Irina Mikitenko. Wasn't able to run in Beijing.

Hopes to be in the Olympics this time round. Edna Kiplagat. Won the

world title in Degu. Tsegaye Kebede, the Ethopians here in force as well.

Former Berlin winner, Priscah Jeptoo. Silver Medalist in Degu.

Pre-race favourite. World record holder of the half marathon record,

Mary Keitany. The elite women, the first, as ever, to set us on our

way, 45-minutes ahead of the main race. The road clear ahead of them.

The chance to win here in London. But, for many, the chance to

hopefully gain Olympic selection as well. Wonderful weather conditions.

The sun's shining. It's chilly. It is about to get a little warmer.

SIREN B LARES London Marathon underway. The challenge never

changes. The world's best gathered once more. Perhaps one of the

greatest fields in terms of the women's race any of us have ever

seen. That's testimony to this event and to the rewards that lie

ahead. It is not just about today but about the Olympics as well. For

many, they will be wanting to really feel their way through these

first couple of miles. It is only when you start running, when all

the nerves start to disappear and you start to settle in and begin to

get an inkling of what might lie ahead for you in terms of your

performance today. Exciting race in see where it has come from, 1981.

And at that time only dozens of British woman had ever run in a

marathon. Since then, hundreds of thousands, about 300,000 British

women have run a marathon. I think how far it has come in those years

and how this event is a spectacular event. The weather this morning is

absolutely glorious. It is beautiful weather for distance

running and I am sure we are going to see a fantastic race today.

Already Liz Yelling of Great Britain is amongst the leaders in a

position to attack from. They are probably going fairly slowly

because that group is bunched together. Liz Yelling, like a lot

of others in this group today, have got London 2012 in mind. It will be

fascinating to see how the selection evolves over the next

couple of hours. The race director Dave Bedford has been talking about

possible world records. I still think Paula Radcliffe's record is

for another day because that Olympic selection is at the

forefront of most of these athletes' minds. I do not think you

are going to see anyone really pushing themselves too hard in the

early stages. They have asked for a good pace. There are different pace

groups. There are two pacemakers for the front of the race and there

is a pacemaker for the lead British athletes who are attempting to run

just inside 2.28. Jo Pavey ran 2.2 8.24 and that is their target. They

are hoping the main protagonists will go with the pacemakers. Claire

Hallissey is just alongside Liz Yelling. I can see Louise Damen in

that group as well. Just watch Ding Constantina Dita just at the back.

I do not think I have seen her wearing another strip a sense that

win in Beijing. There is Claire Hallissey, who has been training in

America at altitude. She is somebody who, over the last 12

months, has pushed herself. I suspect Liz is not writing her

chances quite as highly. She said she had a horrible experience and

she fell at Beijing. She is hoping to have another chance, but it is

going to be tough for her today. For the moment Paula Radcliffe is

sitting watching this event and looking to see who is going to be

the British athlete who joins her and Mara Yamauchi, who have already

been selected. Jo Pavey is watching this as well. Unless somebody runs

faster than she did, this time in London or in New York, then Jo

Pavey will be in the Olympic team. The selectors will meet tomorrow.

Today's race is crucial for that selection. The pacemakers look as

if they have got it a little confused because the British crew

are on the left-hand side of the picture. On the right can cite the

leading athletes are altogether. That two pacemakers are running

together, but they are supposed to be going at a different pace.

are right, they are going to be approaching the one mile mark and

they are slower than that. You saw Liz Yelling already having a look

at her watch. It is important to get its first few miles right, it

sets the tone for you. Especially the British women who are aiming

for an absolute time. The others are very much racing today. That is

spot on for the British women, 5.37. As we will be back with the women's

race on BBC One a little bit later. If you want to follow the races,

there is an option on the red I am joined by three super-fit

athletes, who have been very successful and they are all running

today and they are all smiling, which is great. James Cracknell,

you have run many marathons, but this year you are running for the

Children's Trust. They support people who have had a brain injury,

whether it is genetic or traumatic, and it affects everyone, including

the families. What they are going through is nothing, sorry what I am

going through is nothing compared to what they go through on a daily

basis. People are saying, are you running today questing Mike a

quizzical look. That is not a good confidence booster. Leon Taylor,

you are running for Sports Aid. I know that is close to your heart as

well. I ran for this the first and only time in 2009 and they support

the next generation of Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls. I am going to

do it for them dressed like this. Danny, you were going to run last

year and you had an injury, but you aback. I am back and it is my first

London Marathon. I and another team captain like Leon, and as an

athlete I cannot get beaten by somebody like this. James, I have

got to ask you about Greg Searle who has turned 40 and he is going

to row at the Olympics. You know the training involved, it is a

tough call. It is a tough call and we rode together at the under 18

world championships, so I can feel his pain at being 40. It is a big

call for him to come back, but that is what having the Olympics in this

country means to athletes and it will mean to everybody in the

country when the Olympics come. There is no real way of explaining

what it does to a host city when the Games come to town. In

Australia they were thinking it would be a disaster and they loved

it as a country and it changed the global perception of Australia.

is going to be a very exciting summer and I hope it is a very

exciting few hours for the three of you. I will see you at the finish.

For some people running 26 miles is not enough, they have to gild the

lily. You are going to be Morris dancing, why have you decided to do

that? It is something I am very passionate about. I have been doing

it since I was about 10 and it has got a bad impression in this

country and I want to show people it is not all old men with beer

bellies and it can be for a good cause and do good things.

flatmate refused to train with year. I attract order looks when I am out

on the streets dancing, so he wanted to avoid that kind of

attention. Show me what you are going to be doing for 26 miles and

I world join in. Very good. Have I got a future as a Morris dancer?

Yes. And a big finale? Yes. Good luck, you are very brave. No, you

do not have a future as a Morris dancer. We all remember Jane

Tomlinson, the cancer sufferer, who was an incredible fund raiser. Her

daughter and her husband's a running and it is 10 years on since

her first London Marathon. She came here hoping to raise �5,000 and you

are now at over 4 million. This day 10 years ago changed her life and

changed our lives as well. We would not be here today if it was not for

Jane. We wanted to celebrate today by doing a bit of a challenge

ourselves. You see your mother there and you were very young when

she was diagnosed. Yes, I was really young when she was first

diagnosed, but with her second diagnosis I was starting secondary

school and I remember training with her and the memories of the London

Marathon for the first year stuck with me and this is a great way to

remember her by. You have done this incredible eight State challenge,

you did the Paris Marathon and then you cycled back to London. How are

you feeling? I know you had a bit of an injury in Paris, but giving

up is not an option. We have all come down with flu-like symptoms

since Wednesday. We have all struggled. We should not be running

today, but there is no way we cannot, not without Jane's memory.

We wish you well and I know 5 million is the target. Good luck.

Back we go to find out what is will be used a late it -- later in

the year. They have been speeding up a little bit in the second mile.

The British women are in the second group. The leaders have started to

move away a little bit as would have been expected. It is important

the British women stick to their pace. There is Liz Yelling who I

thought would not do so well today, but the others are looking OK.

Louise Damen and Claire Hallissey, just at the back of the group. It

is important they do not get too carried away, the excitement of the

day, all the build-up you have had. They have been asked to run at a

pace which will bring them home in around 2.28. But they only have one

pacemaker and let's hope she does a good job. At the front of the main

race there are two pacemakers and they have been trying to coax the

field along. They have been a bit reluctant to get into this race.

This is much slower than you would normally expect, for all the

reasons you would expect. It is not just about fast Times today, it is

about coming back in August. It is about competition, Olympic

selection, gaining momentum, confidence for the rest of the year.

Dibaba is on the other side. All the world athletes are in there and

The wheelchair races start shortly at 9:20am. Last year, David Weir

became the first man to win five London Marathon titles. He is back

on a course he respects and has another record in his sight. It is

the biggest cheer of David Weir's live with the London Paralympics

looming large, today he could equal Tanni Grey-Thompson's record of six

wins in a race that has always been special for him. From the age of

eight I did a winning marathon and one that a few times, I think I

want it seven times and I was the first man to win the full marathon

and the junior race. It has been part of might live pretty much all

my life. The first senior win was a career landmark. 2002, I started

training, but I was struggling and I did not have the coach. Then I

knew Jenny Archer was coaching a few athletes and I picked up the

telephone and I knew her number of the by heart, and she said she

would come and help. I joined her in February and I had two months'

training, so I knew I had picked People assume I'll turn up and win

four gold medals. I know that's not going to happen. I'm just aiming

for one Gold Medal. If I get four, three or two, I will be really

happy. There's no guarantee of a happy ending today against the best

London Marathon team ever assembled. It is the best field I've ever

experienced. I knew what field I was coming to. It is Olympic year.

Everyone will be on top of their game. Everyone will cover

everything in training. I had to do that over the winter so I was in

the best shape going into this race. If I win this Sunday, to equal

Tanni, her record, will be fantastic for me. But, whatever

happens today, Weir's been begin the best, the birth of a son last

year. If I've had a bad day at training, I drive home, Maison's so

happy to see me. I just don't dwell on things anymore. He's a great

addition to my training plan. Another on the way as well. We had

our three-month scan yesterday. It is due at the end of the October. A

busy man. Another momentous year for you. Thank you.

Absolutely perfect conditions for the wheelchair marathon. Here's the

list of the main contenders in the list of the main contenders in the

men's race. Ernst van Dyk has too said this is

the most talented field ever assembled in any wheelchair

marathon he's ever ridden in. 39 years old now, the South African.

Heinz Frei and Marcel Hug, both from Switzerland will provide stiff

op significance. And Shelly Woods, two former champions in that field,

including Amanda McGrory, the defending London Marathon champion

from last year. Taking part in her first London

Marathon, from the United States, Royal Institute for Economic

Affairs, who won in Boston -- Shirley Riley. She was selected for

Shirley Riley. She was selected for the Paralympics.

. Choke Yasuoka, and Amanda McGrory, the defending champion has already

won in Paris this year. The first glimpse we've got of Shelly Woods.

Paralympic silver and Bronze Medalist. In Beijing. Great rival

of Shelley's is Sandra Graf of Switzerland. Another prolific

performer. As we move on to the men. The oldest man in the field, 54

years old, Heinz Frei of Switzerland. He's won the Berlin

marathon 19 times. There's the man I was telling you about before who

said in 20 years of racing, he's never seen a field of this quality.

Former winner Ernst van Dyk. Josh Cassidy of Canada. He holds the

world's best for the marathon. Going for a record sixth win here,

double Paralympic champion from Beijing from just down the road

David Weir. Coached by Jennie Archer, who has quite a few

athletes in this field. Another great rival of Weir's is Marcel Hug.

Very good on the track or the road. Tanni, conditions beautiful? The

road is dry and very little wind as well, as you can see from the lack

of movement of the balloons. We should see pretty fast tiefpls here

today? We should see some very quick times. Most of the contenders

have come from racing other big city marathons in Boston and Paris.

The only two exceptions to that are Dave Weir and Shelly Woods who've

come from a three-week training camp in Portugal. So are probably a

little fresher than other athletes in the field. David Weir will want

to stay in the leading group for as long as possible. A bit of a muted

start there for this wheelchair start there for this wheelchair

marathon. It really was a fantastic finish.

As they moved into The Mall last year. There were about four

athletes, I think it was Ernst van Dyk who crashed eventually. It was

David Weir who won in a sprint finish.

But, I think the worry was, when I spoke to Jennie Archer, last

weekend, she said they don't mind wind or cold conditions but rain is

something they don't want. They've been blessed with great weather

here today. That's Marcel Hug at the front. It will be very

interesting to see how much they'll force Dave to make decisions. In

Boston last week Josh Cassidy broke the pack up very early and put

three minutes on the rest of the field. It is really Dave's race to

win or lose. He needs to make tough decisions in the early part of the

is already starting to break up a little bit. Particularly for the

British women. Roundabout three- and-a-half miles at this point.

That's Liz Yelling, Liz Yelling we were not expecting to go quite so

well. There's a gap. This is where it will get interesting. There was

a pacemaker whose job it was, there you can see, pace four, she's

running with Claire Hallissey. She was a little further up. I'm not

sure the pacemaker's doing a good job here. Claire Hallissey would

prefer to be with Louise Damen and Murray, who are ahead of her now.

It was Louise Damen who thought the pacemaker was not doing a good job.

There shis. Louise has gone off a little quick in a couple of her

races and in Yokahama she didn't finish because it was very hot. You

get these first few miles out of the way behind the pacemaker.

Murray, this is her first marathon. You can bet Freya Murray would be

the first of the British athletes but it is unknown territory for her.

There's the lead group. In the lead group we've athletes being talked

about all round the world, how well they are running, how well they are

preparing. They are a little off the pace. Not sure they are too

worried. The Kenyan athletes, including last year's winner, Mary

Keitany, want to win and be selected for the Olympic Games. The

world champion's in there. Florence Kiplagat's in there. The Degu

champion's in there too. You can see they are keeping an eye on one

another. There's the leading group. The two Pacemakers are doing a

decent job. Ejegayehu Dibaba, Olympic Silver

Medalist. The sister of the great doupbl Olympic champion. -- double

Olympic champion. Priscah Jeptoo is in there too. All the athletes

featured before the race. This is an outstanding women's race.

There's Charlton Athletic football club. Doing pretty well recently.

Is that you leading into a bit of football at this early stage? You

know I'm not biting. You raiseded subject, I think it was you who

raiseded subject. Well done to Charlton, a great season for them.

As Brendan said, that group really has all the main people in. All the

big names you'd expect are in that group now. That third mile was 5:08.

It really takes three or four miles for the average times to settle

down. It is this fourth mile where I think they'll be for the rest of

the race. They've run a 5:18. That's the sort of pace, 2:18 :5

about right for this quality of field. Amazing how many women now

see that 2:20 mark, some of them have already broken it, others

looking to get under 2:20. It is really about racing today. When you

get such quality as you have here today, I'm sure it inhibits some of

these athletes. When leading a group like this you don't want to

run hard. There are so many athletes. Sometimes there is

strength in numbers in the group. I remember Mary Keitany, we saw her

last time, she won her last year. We won in New York. She set up a

world record pace. The second half of the New York marathon, she

really fell apart. Did really well to stay in third place in that,

Mary Keitany. Interestingly, she settled down today much more

conservatively. No more records for these athletes today but that

Olympic selection looms. This course in London, we're in The Mall

here, the start and finish of the Olympic Games marathon, Mary

A few last-minute preparations going on before the start. The men

and the masses, they get underway at 9 9.45. A few last minute

preparations. Those are the queues for the loos! Of course, the

official charity this year is the PB Team. Fitting on the Olympic

year because we're looking for to a GB Team this summer. It is a joint

campaign to raise money for breast and prostate cancer. Joining me

from is Amanda. You said once you don't even run for a bus and here

you are, running in a marathon? I've never run before in my life.

Most of my friends and family laugh when I said I was going to do this.

But I've caught the bug. I love it. I'm terrified of what's about to

happen but, yes, I've never run before in my life. I thought I had.

I thought I'd done a cross-country and it was a scene in Grange Hill I

shot when I was 13! That's how bad it is. Breast cancer is close to

your heart? I had breast cancer myself. About ten years ago, I was

told the prospects were not good for me. I'm lucky to be here. I

just am here because the service and care and support I got from

Breast Cancer Care, I want to be there for everyone else as well.

Hope you raise lots of money. Mark, prostate cancer is close to your

heart. Your father-in-law, bill, sadly lost his fight? Yes. I

support this challenge whenever I can. Cycling or running. I like

running so not much of an imposition. This is about the

maximum distance I really want to try. A wonderful day to it. If we

can draw attention to prostate cancer being treated early it will

make a huge difference for patients and families. You certainly draw

attention to yourselves. There are about 600 in your team. PB,

prostate and breast cancer is pink and Blue but also pants and bras.

That will draw attention? Yes, I draw the line at wearing my under

wear. This is tough enough. I will humiliate myself. There are over

nearly 800 runners. We have a lot. We were going for the biggest team.

There are quite a few. This was them earlier this year going

through a little training. It will draw some attention. Without a

doubt. I do the line at pants and bras. You have a very fast time,

Mark? Last time, taking it easy this year. I was going to put my

tag on David Weir's chair but he went without me. So I'll have to

run it now! Good luck. Hope you enjoy it and raise lots of money.

The lovely Hannah and Amy alongside me. Running for Blesma. What does

it stand for? It is the British limbless ex-servicemen's

association. You're an unusual member being a woman? I suppose I

am in the minority. I lost my leg in Iraq in 2007. Blfplt LESMA have

done a lot for me. I've been skiing with them. On all kinds of trips.

It is confidence-building and being around people who understand how

you feel. That's why I want to give something back and do something tor

them. First marathon. How are you feeling? I'm a tad nervous. I've

two legs with me. This one and a running blade and also a wheelchair

and a really good partner who's doing it with me. I'll get round.

Good luck. Amy, your brother Jack's being supported by BLESMA? He lost

three limbs in Afghan in 2009. He's been skydiving with BLESMA. They

contributed to a trip in South Africa. He hopes to ski with them

this year. Really boosts confidence. There's life after amputations. A

great charity. How much are you hoping to raise today? Into my

target was �5,000. I'm on �5,500. But I still need more money. That's

brilliant. Amy, Hannah, have a really good time. Good luck to you

both. this is the scene at the front, if

you like, of the British battle. It is Louise Damen who is leading

Freya Murray. They have just passed the reigning Olympic champion,

Constantina Dita. Those are the times of the lead group. They have

gone through the first five kilometres in 17.09, which is a tad

quicker than they might have wanted to. Louise is certainly running

with a lot of intent and the pacemaker who is meant to be

leading is a little bit distant from this group at the moment.

Louise Damen running her third marathon. She ran last year in

London and ran really well in two hours and 30 minutes. Now she is

being joined by Jessica Augusta, as familiar figure and Freya Murray.

The Olympic champion Constantina Dita, but Freya Murray it running

very well. Can they run close to the 2.28 Mike that Jo Pavey is

sitting and resting on. She is watching this race back home. There

is the danger for the big race. There is all that talent. These

athletes running with fantastic support at the sight of the road,

which is a wonderful part of the London Marathon, that the people of

London turn out and they take it to their hearts and the athletes

respond for the crowds. The two pacemakers doing a good start. Mary

Keitany itching to get going, a tiny figure. Alongside her Florence

Kiplagat who won the Berlin Marathon. We are looking at real

running talent. Beautiful pictures and if you are watching on HD you

can pick out even more detail. It is a fantastic day again for the

London Marathon. Showers forecast later on, but not for the elite

athletes. Certainly there were men and probably the front of the men's

race will be finished before the sun disappears a little bit. In the

Greenwich area this is always aware we get the big crowds. 10

kilometres have gone in the race. The first big split for these women.

You can see the Times and that is not as quick as many would be

predicting. Problems with the water station. This is important and they

want to make sure they have got the right drinks on board. They are

labelled beforehand and they are sealed and stored and they get

placed on relevant tables and they should know exactly where their

particular drink is. That is why you will see them go back. They

will not just grab any drink. Shaji they will turn and go round one of

the iconic sites of the London Marathon. It is great to see the

Cutty Sark again. This is where the crowds will gather in the next half

hour to see the massed ranks. Edna Kiplagat had a problem finding her

a drink. She is at the back of that group. The pace is a bit up and

down. We have just had 5.25. They relied on the pacemakers keeping it

as steady as possible. These are two very good pacemakers, by the

way, in their own right they are very good athletes. There was a bit

of confusion. The bicycles are sent off, they do not have to go around

this loop. There is the African cross-country champion. She is an

outstanding athlete in her own right. She is a pacemaker and I

expect in a few years' time we will see her running in the race itself,

not just as a pacemaker. The crowds make for such a wonderful

atmosphere as they go around the Cutty Sark. They are being wrought

on and they will be buoyed by the atmosphere that London is already

demonstrating here today. It is a great day for London and the City

and it is a great state to show off the City. It looks resplendent in

all its glory with the sun shining. We saw a miserable forecast for us

last night, but it is not raining yet. Cutty Sark is looking

resplendent in the sunshine. Then all the way back across Greenwich

Park where people have been gathering pretty much since

daylight this morning and the redstart is where they will all set

off from in a few minutes. Inside the elite men's tent there are

countless numbers of talented athletes who have gone under 2.10.

We are going to talk to our British His debut was sensational. His name

is Scott Overall and he is here. Please, get up and join me. A you

cannot get down there? There was a day I would have joined you, but

not any more. You had a fantastic debut and have been selected, how

does that feel? It feels great to be selected and I can sit back and

relax, obviously keep training, but I do not have to raise another

marathon. What were your job be today? Today I'm hoping some of the

British guys can qualified in 2.12 and we are going to be helping them

to do that. We will set the pace and hopefully we can do a good job

and a couple of them it will get the qualifying time. The leaders of

the pack other Kenyans, they are here in abundance, what do you

think of them? Up front it will be a great race, there may even be a

world record, but it is important for me to ignore them and set our

own pace. All the best with that. The Kenyans have 150 athletes who

have qualified for the marathon itself in the Olympic Games. But

which three will make their Olympic team? It has to be one of the

toughest Olympic challenges, making Kenya's marathon team. They hint of

the enormity? Last year all top 20 sports and the world rankings were

held by Kenyans. For many of them it all began here in this billet,

8500 ft high. -- this village. is probably the most dramatic venue

for a press conference. This year could be the toughest ever. Their

success inspires future champions. Theories abound as to why this part

of Kenya in particular has produced so many world-class runners. The

diet, genetics, they have all been studied, but distance running is

Kenya's national sport. Then there is the Kenyan running philosophy

based on freedom and running as you feel, which sounds great, but no

one should underestimate the dedication and sheer hard work that

has contributed to their success. thought you go for a run, you go

out with your mates, it is all good, but to see the way they eat, sleep

and train, it was a big shock for me. One title always eluded the

Kenyans and will four years ago. is a new Olympic record, gold for

Kenya. Tragically Sammy died last year. The Olympic marathon has not

always been everyone's major target, but this year every Kenyon wants to

be in the team. Many have already staked their claim, but to date in

London past reputations will count for nothing. At top three finish is

the main target to become part of Kenyan folklore.

That is just one of the prizes on offer, the chance to represent

Kenya in the Olympic Games. For many others the first time

challenge of competing this wonderful marathon distance on this

particularly wonderful chorus is something they will all be getting

a bit nervous about. Now they are running to find their position.

There are three different starts. The redstart is where the vast

majority of them it will get under way. All of the big names have

lined up once again. Perhaps the best and most famous marathon of

them all. Patrick Macau is the world record holder. Wilson Kipsang

is the second fastest ever. Martin Great names wherever you look on

that start list. The British challenge, possibly two spots

possible. They will join Scott Vincent Kipruto knows he has to

have the race of his life here if he is to make the Kenyan team. It

is soaked up. He is hoping for a much better performance. Can Martin

Lel showed that he has got what it takes and become the first man to

win four London marathons? The two- times world champion, perhaps past

his best, 39 years, but already selected for Morocco. Lots of talk

about this man. He won his second world title last year, but can he

translate that into a fast run in London? The diminutive figure, a

brilliant performance in 2010. Just four seconds separated him up from

what would have been a brilliant world record in Frankfurt when he

won in October. Two Santos has won the New York Marathon on two

occasions. He was 4th last year. The man who came in at the front of

the field, setting that new course best. Patrick Macau was third in

that race, but he went on in September to run that startling

world record in Berlin. They will be as nervous as anybody else. They

know what lies ahead. More than 37,000 have registered over the

last few days to take their opportunity to line up in this

year's event. It is not a record number. What a great occasion once

more we have in store. The last few seconds are being counted down.

anywhere in the world is about to unfold once more. 2012 is here at

last and the London Marathon, one of our greatest sporting occasions,

is sent on its way. Ambitions, this common goal, to complete the

most traditional of athletic events, the marathon distance.

What a wonderful shot there as these 37,000 athletes set off.

Every one with a story to tell. When I look at it at this point,

and I see the Greenwich Park, the crowds gathering all round us, I'm

reminded of Patrick Collins's words, this is the best idea British sport

has ever had. He's not far wrong with that, is he? Great athletes at

the front. Great stories behind. London in all its glory and a queue

forming in Greenwich Park. But it is a pleasant queue. The tension in

there is unbelievable. Every single person who's running the marathon

is full of nervous energy. You could go to the start area and you

can feel the nervous tension. Some excited, some is a bit distraught.

But it is there and it is a feeling you can feel yourself. There,

Dorothy Tyler, who set them on their way, 92 years of age. There's

John Disley, one of the founders of the London that are money, he went

off to New York to see what the marathon there was like and set

upon the idea that London was big and bold enough and had a big

enough heart to stage an event like this. They are just relaxing there.

The athletes themselves are not relaxing. Three starts that finally

all converge together after about three or four miles of the course.

Depending on your ability, depending on who you're running for,

that's what determines which point you start. That red start is where

the vast majority of them begin. They have to be patient, of course,

all of them wearing transponders on their shoes which will give them an

exact time but it only starts once they cross that red line. They just

need to walk and be patient. It will take ten or 15 mins, perhaps,

for all of them to finally cross the line. As Brendan and I are

always slightly amazed by, there are some late comeers who have to

run for about a mile before starting the London Marathon

because they've slept in despite all the planning that most have put

in to today's performance. computer chip's on that feet will

give them an accurate time. When crossing the start line, they were

looking at their own running watches. The course is brilliantly

marked all the way along. They can see how fast they are going.

There's feed stations. There's the opportunity to take your time if

you need to. Because the computer chips register their times, the

split times, all the way along, you can see the atmosphere at the start

isn't too anxious. They know as they shuffle towards the start here

in Greenwich Park, eventually they'll get the whole story of

their own event, their own race. It is the one you want to be. Straight

down there, a sharp left turn and not long after that, you'll be on

your way. You marvel at the patience of the British, the queues

Marathon. The red start is where the vast majority begin. The blue

start for the elite runners. They eventually converge as they head

through Woolwich. They turn back up towards the famous Cutty Sark just

after the 10 kilometre point. There where so many crowds will gather to

watch. Then wind their way along the southern side of the river

through Rother height. Now, they get their first glimpse of Tower

Bridge. Across there, turn ride. -- turn right. Through the halfway

point. They'll come back this way in a few miles time into Canary

Wharf. Winding through the new section of the course over the last

couple of years which was introduced. Then, they are starting

to head for home. Past the tower again. On to the Embankment. They

will be able to see Big Ben in the distance as they curve round the

river. When they get to Big Ben they take a right turn. Down Bird

Cage Walk to Buckingham Palace. The last 385 yards up to the finish

mini marathon very much a big part of the day. They start a long the

Embankment acouple of miles from the finish line here. Lots of

racers have come to take part in these events from all over the

country. We'll show you highlights of those later in the programme. A

good few stars have raced that in the past who are now hoping for a

place in the Olympics later this year. There you can see they are

still going through. That's the blue and green start. We can see

the red start over on the right- hand side, up in the distance there.

All this start paraphernalia will be dismantled. The organisation

really is remarkable. Yes, see you at the finish hopefully. Still in

the sunshine with a bit of luck. Wonderful conditions for the start

of the race. A little chilly early on. But many will have worn clothes

or bin liners to keep themselves warm and discarded that at the

beginning. Hopefully now, well on their way. Just 26 miles to go.

few minutes ago, the elite wheelchair athletes were passing

Cutty Sark and the six mile mark, the 10 kilometre point. Certainly a

big race going on. Cassidy's been sitting at the front. David Weir,

perfect position in third. The guys can push two or three miles per

hour quicker sitting behind. It looks like Josh is trying to pick

up the pace and drop a few guys off the back. That's a really big pack

at the moment, especially when we get to the Twisty parts of the

course later. David Weir has been in the right wearing the black in

the white hell met. In front from the start. Still in good shape.

4 Back at the front of the women's race, that group there just tightly

bunched. You can see these mile times. A quick through 7:15. And

through eight miles, slow, 5:76. We should mention there's been three

or four marathons in the last few weeks, Rotterdam, Paris, Boston and,

particularly with the Kenyan team, they had said people have this week

to run well and show that they should be picked. They've named six

people provings alley. That has to be whittled down to three. Really,

all those names in there, they are looking at each other, watching

each other and waiting for the point at which they want to try and

win this race. They have to come in the top two or three. That's what

everybody thinks here. So understandable they are all still

reluctant to go with a fast pace. There are the men's wheelchair

racers. The elite racers who are already overtaking the women. They

will be the next group of athletes to finish in The Mall after the

mini marathon runners. The pace has settled down. The Pacemakers have

been trying to edge them along. There's been some reluctance to go

at a break-neck pace. They are running about 2:22 pace at the

moment. I suggest when they get to the halfway pointed and the

Pacemakers drop out the speed will accelerate. It will be one of the

races where the second half of the race is faster than the first half.

Kabir Hussain is moving up there to join Mary Keitany, the great north

and London Marathon winner from last year and next to them, the

world champion from last year. A talented bunch there. They've had

this race in mind but also the Olympic Games in mind.

This is interesting, if you've been watching the early stages of the

British challenge, Claire Hallissey had set off the pace being set by

Louise Damen and Freya Murray and stuck with the pace maker. Those

two, the Pacemakers in the black and white, these two have joined

now Louise Damen and Freya Murray. Freya's always looked fairly

comfortable. She's moved with Damen. At one point, Hallissey was six

seconds down. She's rejoined them. All three of these British women

running about 2:27 pace. Maybe even a tad inside that. Inside the time

required if they are to run faster than Jo Pavey. It is who wins this

battle, who comes first out of this group of three. Brendan, you

mentioned Freya Murray, and as they approach ten miles now, this is

where they'll think about how they are feeling, how is this going,

have they got the pace right here. It is good to see the three of them

together. Just over 55 minutes for ten miles. Only one of those can

make the Olympic team. 2:7 is the pace they are running at. -- 2:27

is the time pace they are running at. Claire Hallissey has only run

two marathons. This is Freya Murray's first ever marathon. And

this is Louise Damen's third marathon. Last year's London is the

experience of Louise Damen. She's keen on these three to try and keep

going, to try and edge ahead. Freya Murray is much more experienced on

the shorter distances. She's really competitive at the shorter

distances. If this was a half marathon, I would say Freya Murray

would beat these two comfortably at this point. Can she last the

distance? That's what we'll find out. Freya Murray is coached by a

man who knows what it is like to win London. Steve Jones lives in

Colorado now. That's where Freya's been preparing for this race. He

said she's been really relaxed. He said sometimes she can get wound up

and nervous but she has been incredibly relaxed. She's prepared

well. Your first marathon, you never quite know what will happen.

A long way to go yet. So far so good for her. Claire Hallissey,

just happy to run at the back of that group at the moment. It is

good they've settled into this pace. Hopefully, the pacemaker can work

with these four, sorry with these three, and keep them on schedule

through the halfway point. I'm not sure the pacemaker will go much

further than that. It will be up to these three to race it in from

there. Back at the start, it will take

quite a few minutes for everyone to get across the start line. They've

come from all over the UK and all over the world. Well over 2000 have

travelled to London to take part in this year's London Marathon. As

many in fancy dress. Many trying to break various world records. Clare

Philips is running for the Cambridge cancer help centre. She's

attempting to run the quickest marathon dressed as a bottle of

beer. It is 4:36:19, by the way. Patience required. As well as fancy

dress, so many people, London is renowned for the amount of money

raised for charity. The vast majority of people, certainly in

this section, will be running for some good cause or another. We'll

bring you many of those stories through the course of the programme.

It is really what the London Marathon's about. It is what sets

it apart from many others in the world. London in particular raises

so much money. While climbing in chili ie she's

taken up another huge challenge. Eight marathons in eight days with

the help of her friend Anna. Their journey towards London began in

Paris. They aim to raise over �5,000 for Aspire and the Back up

Trust. Tony's kids suffered from asthma from an early age. Their

conditions has been life- threatening but they maintain a

positive outlook on life. Today's Tony wants to dribble a ball while

running the marathon in the fastest time.

In 2007, Simon Wilson's life was turned upside down after receiving

the devastating news his wife Lisa had leukaemia. Despite treatment,

Lisa passed away later that year. Winston's wish was to help support

Lisa, Simon and their two daughters. and we will be hearing from you

selves telling us who you are going to cheer on. It is a great day for

spectating as long as you are wrapped up. Many people take on the

challenge themselves off trying to see the marathon in as many

different places as they can. The toughest is trying to get over the

river to Canary Wharf. And what about the weather forecast? It is

meant to stay fine, it is getting a bit warmer, it is not bad at all.

The elite runners were worried about the breeze. They knew they

rain it was going to come, and it may well be into their faces in the

last bit of the race, but so far it is not in evidence. In Boston last

week they had a heatwave. The elite runners had to go slow. 16 minutes

they have been going and still they file through Greenwich Park. The

crowds and the atmosphere is still very much controlled and relaxed as

the athletes trust the organisation. A brilliant organisation they have

said over the years, one of the best organised events of any kind

in the world. The race director has really taken this race on a step

over the years. There is the lead group, there is Martin Lel in the

blue and red dress alongside the pacemakers. He is the most

successful ever London Marathon winner. He is back in shape and

good form. He will not give up this one without a good fight. There is

a race for the London Marathon title and then the toughest race of

all, to make the Kenyan team for the Olympic Games. Look how

difficult that is going to be, look how good these athletes are.

quick mention of the pace, they went through the first three miles

in exactly the same time as last year, so well done to the

pacemakers. This year it is a very interesting race for the two spots

available in the men's team. 20 kilometres gone and they are

approaching the halfway stage and David Weir is in the lead false

starts that is just ahead of Marcel Hug in the silver helmet behind him.

They are putting a little bit of a break here, aren't they? It is

interesting seeing David Weir, saying to Marcel Hug, unique to

take a bit of a League because we need to start splitting up the pack.

News of the women is that Shelly Woods Diane Roy and the Japanese

were all together. It is now Marcel Hug, the long-time rival of David

Weir and the Briton is now in second place. That gives us a good

perspective of where people are on the course. You can see Tower

Bridge limit at the top right of the picture. The women's leaders

are not too far away from there. This is the battle, and I am going

to call it a battle, because I think it will end up as a real

scrap, and it is great to see Britain's runners tried to get that

spot. They have gone through quicker than we were expecting them

to. They are running just inside 2.27 and looking strong. Louise

Damen is the one who wants to push on. She said the one thing she has

to learn his pacing. She got it wrong perhaps the last year. She

said she had to learn to hold herself back. She said she respects

the event a little bit more now and she respects the pace. She is self

coached as well, and maybe she does not have people around to help her

and talked to work. At one point she looked as if she was a little

bit keen to push on, but now she has got the others for companies.

She has got an ungainly style, Louise Damen, but it is very

effective. There is Freya Murray. A little bit more compact. You do not

need to leave gaps open, you should let them know you are there. They

are running well with the pacemaker at the moment. Let's see how they

get to the halfway point. You can see in the background One of the

new sites on the London skyline, the Shard. If you have not been to

London in recent times, it is a spectacular building. Renzo Piano

is the man who designed this. When it is finished it will be the

tallest building in Western Europe and will stand just over 1000 ft

high. I do not know what they put on the top, a little sparkly thing

or a fairy or something? Probably the Olympic rings. It is a

spectacular building and dominates this part of London. The athletes

are approaching Tower Bridge now. That leading group is watching each

other and keeping close. They are approaching 12 miles. It is just

lifting a little here now. They are running around two hours and 21

pace. I would not be surprised if they start to think about picking

up the pace in the second half. Edna Kiplagat, the world champion.

Florence Kiplagat ran brilliantly to win the Berlin Marathon. Lucy

Karbuu is in that group. She might not be on the official selectors'

list at the moment, but if she wins this list -- race today, I would be

very surprised if they turned her down. They have got so much talent,

it is amazing how they changed the world of marathon running.

Ethiopians tend to go, who are the three Busters? But with each

marathon but conditions are so different and you have to take a

little bit of experience it you can. The Kenyans tried to select the six

preferred, but they have left the way open for somebody like Lucy

Karbuu to do a big performance on a day like today. Someone like her is

going to have to be up there with the others and really showed she is

worthy of the players. Most people around London Marathon headquarters

have been saying the top three Kenyans in the men and the women

are the ones who will go. Tower Bridge looming for the British

fight for that Olympic place that is available. Louise Damen is on

the right on the far side. Freya Murray is in the red. Claire

Hallissey and they are all with the pacemaker and they have been locked

together for the last few miles. These three are together and not

far away from the halfway point. They are going at a quicker pace

than they might have asked for, but it is a good pace and it is the

pace poll one of them, whoever is successful in that group, to give

them a chance of being inside 2.28. Tower Bridge and a fascinating race

for an extra place in the Olympic team. Claire Hallissey, Louise

Damen and Freya Murray with the pacemakers. You see the crowds on

the side of Tower Bridge giving them a bit raw. There are the three

Britons getting a really good cheer and really good support. We are

looking at a race that will be really interesting. Can they run

faster than 2.28? Which one of these three will come out on top?

Joe Perry is sitting at home watching this race and I would

think she will be a little bit nervous. Those times have been

pretty consistent for this group. They have been running around 2.27.

20 kilometres was spot on. The pacemaker is looking at her watch,

because she is realising her job should be done. She was asked to

get them to halfway and if she can keep ongoing, she will. But I

suspect these three are running strongly now, so she will feel she

moving through the gates. Someone is on his own. Just arriving.

Efficient organisation and they are still streaming through. That is

the red start. The watchers are clipped, the computer is

synchronised, and the Adventures unfold Fulstow. The lead

wheelchairs are into Canary Wharf now. David Weir is back in third

place at the moment, I think. Marcel Hug is at the front. In fact,

David Weir is at the front followed by Marcel Hug. It is still those

two. The lead men and Patrick Makau the first of the big names to push

alongside the pacemaker because he might think, this is not as fast as

I would like. We talked about tactics and some of them will want

to get rid of some of the other athletes. Patrick Makau is

reputedly in good shape. Everyone is saying, you have to pick the

world champion, but everyone is saying, you have to pick the quiz

that time. It is an intriguing race in prospect for this Kenyan

contingent. They know each other very well and know what each

other's strengths and weaknesses are, but it is about who has got it

on the day. They are approaching six miles. All that talent we have

talked about, just following the pacemakers. They are running quite

aggressively here today and the pacemakers are doing a very good

job. There are other British contenders. Ben Whitby is in that

group, Andy Jones is in that group, I can say it will stop this is the

second group. Lee Merrien is wearing No. 22. Others have quietly

prepared as well and they will be hoping this could be their day.

2.12 is the target for the British men. David Webb ran inside the top

20 in the world championships last year. The criteria is 2.12 or you

came in the top 20 if you want to get selected. Scott Overall has met

that criteria and David Webb has met that criteria. But David Webb

is not running. Lee Merrien and Ben Whitby have the chance to push

and-down. That pace is pretty quick and it is solid enough. If you

think about last year when Emmanuel Mutai ran quicker in the second

half of the race, then I think this is a good, solid place, certainly

in the 2.25 region. There is every prospect they could speed up in the

second half. The pacemakers keep looking at their watches. They all

look at each other and they say, are you going to go with them? No,

I do not fancy it, it is too early, and then they spread out in a line.

A lot of cat and mouse in these itself and that race for the

Olympic position, particularly for the Kenyan team, is most

significant of all today. Here they are, coming round Cutty Sark. Once

again, the sight of Cutty Sark warms the heart every year we watch

the London Marathon. The crowds are phenomenal. The atmosphere is

brilliant and the support is remarkable. They come out early.

They get a good position. It really is a good position here. From now,

there will be a procession. They are still going through the start

at Greenwich Park. Here they are six miles up the road. They are

already weavinging their way alongside the river until they get

to Tower Bridge. Look at that crowd, big as I've ever seen.

We keep talking about the Kenyans. They are cat and mouse. The

interesting and difficulty is somebody like Tsegaye Kebede who

needs to run fast here, he needs to get selected. He has three or four

Ethiopians who've run super-fast times, particularly in Dubai this

year. Kebede needs to fast time to get selected. He hopes that lead

group keeps pushing on. There's Lee Merrien and Benedict Whitby at the

front of the group. Lee Merrien running through there. I was

looking for Scott Overall who's supposed to be helping the British

athletes to qualify for this race. Can't see him in there. Hope he's

not down the road with the Kenyans. I saw Scott yesterday. He's

obviously got his thoughts on running in the Olympic Games. He

was having a little bit of physio treatment, not a scare or anything.

I don't think he would take any risk. I reckon if he got out there

and there was any issue... We saw him in a tent. But I'm saying if he

got out there running and for any reason he felt as though he had a

little twinge, the sensible thing would be not to run. It was great

he was volunteering to do a job here. I guess that means they will

have to do it themselves. As far as I can see, there isn't another

pacemaker in that group for for them. That is a great viewing spot.

You wouldn't get me up there! How did they get up there? I'm being

told in my ear they might not be real people. That can't be right.

Oh, they are! They've picked themselves one of the best spots in

town there today, I think. There's Patrick Makau, the word record

holder. His team-mate Emmanuel Mutai who ran faster in Boston. But

the Boston course is not ratifyable for world records. It is his run in

Berlin 2:07:38 which stands as the best in the word. On the left-hand

side of that lead group, Wilson Kipsang, the tall figure, who is a

bit of a late developer, Kipsang, one of the Kenyans who pushed his

name to the form not long after Makau had to world record. Just

four seconds off it in Frankfurt. Superb talent in this group here.

This is a sad sight, really, to see Liz Yelling struggling across Tower

Bridge. Liz had a quick chat with her yesterday, didn't seem

particularly confident. I think she knew preparations hadn't gone quite

so well. Her husband Martin, who's running in the main race, who

coaches her, will be disappointed to know house Liz is progressing.

I'm sure she'll try to keep going but her dream of representing Great

Britain in the Olympic Games has disappeared here today. She has

been one of our great distance runners over the years, Liz. Same

club, started pretty much at the Sam time Aspall la Radcliffe.

She'll be wishing her compat reotsz all the best here -- Paula

Radcliffe. Everyone was talking about Claire Hallissey, Louise

Damen and Freya Murray and the three of them locked in battle as

they have been for the last few miles. This is great to see, three

women really having a go here. Attacking this obviously difficult

distance. The inexperience we know that's in this group here. But

they've set out here with real intent. They haven't been

frightened about the task ahead or Bached about running a particular

time. No shying away from it. They've set out at this 2:27 pace.

They've been maintaining that. At the moment, the three of them are

looking good. This is a great race. Louise Damen want s to egg them on,

keep the pace going. Freya Murray looks comfortable in second place.

On the other side, Claire Hallissey running strongly. The three of them

together, we are seeing a terrific struggle here. The pace is strong.

Around about 2 :27, 2:28. There's the lead group, there's Mary

Keitany. The last two miles have been really, really quick. The

pacemaker still going. One of the Pacemakers is still going.

Eventually, Mary Keitany, Edna Kiplagat, Florence Kiplagat in

there too, that group's now down to seven athletes. I'm just going to

give you an update on what we were talking about. Scott Overall is in

that group somewhere. He's certainly disguised. His

transponder's in that group if he's not! His time's come up on the

computer. The British men and the British women certainly doing their

part today. We'll follow that story all the way through. Here at the

front of the women, they are all still there, as Brendan said. This

will start, somebody will start to want to think about breaking away

fairly soon, I'm sure. The men, it's been a better pace

being set. Certainly a steadier pace. They haven't been frightened

to push the Pacemakers on a little bit. That last mile, 4:59, tends to

be a slowish mile through mile eight. Wouldn't have expected them

to drop off quite as much as that. If the men drift towards five

minutes, that's slow. If they are in the 4:45. 4:50, that's about

right. Last year's winner, man who's run faster on this course

than anyone else, Emmanuel Mutai, he now decides it is time to go

with the Pacemakers. The world champion Abel Kirui just behind him.

Now you can sense there's some work being put in. Bit of a gap

beginning to open. Pressure beginning to tell in the ninth mile

here. Emmanuel Mutai really looks as though he wants to get on terms

with them. Abel Kirui just doing enough there, just behind them.

There you can see Ben Whitby in the blue. Lee Merrien, a bit of a star

in Guernsey, Lee Merrien,. They have their fingers crossed. I was

there four weeks ago, Lee was in Kenya at the time. He's been

training 120 hours a week pry pairing well. He says he's as

prepared as well as he can be for the challenge here today. For these,

it is about the clock. For the women, it is about winning in that

little race. For here, they know if they run under 2:12 they have a

great chance of being selected. Certainly for two of them. Ben

Whitby is a policeman in London. He's had a year off work.

Apparently he has to go back to work on Monday. I hope they might

give him another day off to recover. You would have thought he'd said

Tuesday. He'll be pretty stiff- legged on Monday! That group, that

British group running competitively as they run through the eight-mile

point. Scott Westcott there is failing way

off the back. Many countries have sent their athletes to London to

try to qualify, the Australians no different. We're having a chat

through all the various tasks ahead of various people. The UK Athletics

standard is not an IAAF standard for the Olympics. Various countries

are aiming for slower times, if you like. Some wheelchair athletes

going through there. Mary Keitany look comfortable to me. Aberu

Kebede looks -- cab cab looks like and relaxed -- Kapuu.

They need fast times if they are to push themselves forward. For the

Kenyans, it is about coming in the top three in a good performance.

Let's have a look at where we are. I saw two men in Newcastle shirts

in the distance, Brendan, behind them. A little early on a Sunday

morning for them! They are having a great year. London looking

respendent. The world watching today. All eyes, of course, once we

get to July 27th, the dome on the right-hand side will be one of the

venues. Canary Wharf, the area they are heading into now, is an area

that used to be an area which the runners didn't enjoy quite so much.

It was quite quiet. There are good crowds gathering these days. It is

easy to get across if you've been at the start from Greenwich. A good

place where you can see the runners pass on a couple of occasions. The

Olympic marathon doesn't quite head out this way but it has always been

an important part of London Marathon. It is often the bit where

one or two people start to struggle. One of the Ethiopians looks like

she's going through a difficult patch here. Tsegaye Kebede in the

leading group -- Kebede in the leading group. Mary Keitany. Lucy

Kapuu on the outside. What a fascinating race this is. Priscah

Jeptoo, Silver Medalist. You have the word champion sand the world

champion Silver Medalist, Berlin champion, Mary Keitany, last year's

winner. She's in there. You've Lucy Kapuu, last year's Great North Run

winner and one Ethiopian in that group, abeer ewe kebed a. At the

moment, you'd favour one of the Kenyans. But Kebede is in there

amongst them. The pacemaker doing a terrific job. She's a class runner

in her own right. Chep chep chep, the of a db Chepkirui. The gaps are

opening. Florence Kiplagat is in there. Irina Mikitenko is a long

way down there. All the talent we expected to be here is here. On top

of that, we are getting a good race for the British athlete to go in

the Olympic Games joining Paula Radcliffe in a few months' time on

a slightly different course in this magnificent city. It looks at its

very best today. Imagine what it will look like in August when the

Olympic Games is here. Some of these athletes will be here. But

only a few. The Pacemakers doing a goat job in the men's race. They

are really accelerating, moving along. We've athletes who've run

here before. And quickly. Last year's champion, Emmanuel Mutai,

glancing over his shoulder. He sees the world champion. He sees

London's most successful runner at the back of the group, oh, no, he's

just dropped away from that group, Martin Lel, there was a lot of talk

about Martin Lel. I can't quite see him in that group. I think he's

just dropped off the back of the group. No, I can see him in the

blue and red vest on the inside. The athlete who's won this race

three thiepls times and been second in the British race. Scott Overall

is setting the pace, but unfortunately, Ben Whitby and Lee

Merrien are running slower, about 30 seconds down and he is

maintaining so far anyway, I think if Swindon was to keep going at

this pace, it would be a big surprise. Great traditions, Mark

order, who ran brilliantly and make the team for the World Championship,

the Commonwealth Games, where he won a bronze medal. The leading

British at which at the moment. He is not wearing an elite number, 997.

I reckon there are 20 seconds behind. There you can see, I

suspect that group will contain Whitby and Marion. -- Merrien.

Scott Overall's task was to run 2.12. That is what he has been

doing. There he is. He is walking, there. Is he waiting for Lee

Merrien? Is he saying, what is going on? He has given them a round

of applause. Lee Merrien is within that group. But they need to speed

up. They have got to get past next Swinburn. Scott Overall, his job is

done and he is probably wondering what went wrong because they did

not go with the pace that he was setting. This was a little while

ago when Canary Wharf, Shelly Woods of Great Britain has amassed a big

lead. Over everybody else. It will once ago she was locked together

with the American, Amanda McGrory, who eventually went on to win it.

But Shelly Woods is riding well. She has one minute ahead of her

nearest challenger. She is not doing a tactical race, she is

getting her head down and concentrating on exactly what

genies to do and this is the best that is the best you have ever seen

there, because, if she can keep up this pace it will be a perfect

dress-rehearsal for the Paralympic Games in 125 days' time. She

finished 4th in Beijing four years ago. Going absolutely superbly.

Those chasing are about a minute and a half back, so surely, she is

going to go and win the title once more. Back at one of the great

landmarks. Over the meridian line through Greenwich Park. Itself it

will be a venue in less than 100 days' time, and the masses

beginning to come through, each of them with their story to tell, each

of them with a story to tell about their the 26 mile race. Conditions

still beautiful, it is going to get worse later on, but so far, so good.

Everybody, by now, knows that this great landmark reopens to the

public in four days time. Whatever else is happening in London, the

Olympic Games, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, very soon.

And there are those chasing Shelly Woods, being led by a Tsushida of

Japan. And then Diane Roy of Canada. Then one of the male racers.

Certainly, Diane Roy, going well. But it is Shelly Woods who is out

where things start to happen in the race. We have only one pacemaker

left. It is starting to pick up a little bit, still a row and the

2.21 Mark. You can see there, the team mile mark. And the two

Kiplagats, Kebede, all still there. This is the first time we have seen

Louise Damen pushing it. Through 17 miles, still running a good pace,

and Claire Hallasey settling in third. Now for the first time

making an effort to try and break Louise Damen, who looks like she is

having a problem, and Clare Murray, who was looking comfortable is now

losing those few yards. This is the crucial point of the race for

selection for the Great Britain team go stop clear how the sea is

making the move, making the effort. -- Clare Hallasey. She is