Highlights London Marathon

Tufa of Ethiopian, heading for victory. One of the greatest pieces

of running we have ever seen. Shoulders burning, fingertips

pushing. The London Marathon belongs to Eliud Kipchoge. After 26 miles.

Sites to behold every single year. Hello and welcome to highlights of

the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon. It is the 36th time this

iconic event has weaved its way through London. And over 35,000

people were at the start line this morning and for one of them are

place in history awaits. -- a place in history. Taking part is really

more important than winning. They are going to finish together.

Radcliffe storming home. I have been doing my exercises,

weightlifting, salsa dancing. It's nice to have a challenge. There is a

physical side to it, believing you can do it. I want to make sure that

kids have a voice. This is my daughter. I know that it will be

helping young people. Raising as much money as we can, that's it. The

best in the world are here but he is the champion. The biggest win of her

career. Just look at him go, this is really

special. Every single year it is. We will be catching up with the masses

later in the programme but first let's go back to earlier in the day

and the elite races. First up was the wheelchair athletes. Let's join

Steve Cram, Brendan Foster, world record holder Paula Radcliffe, Tanni

Grey-Thompson and Rob Walker. COMMENTATOR: Here is the line-up for

the men's race. It is going to be so difficult for David Weir to make it

a magnificent seven, not impossible will stop Josh George is the

defending champion. -- not impossible. The sixth time

Paralympic champion. They will all be out to stop him making history

here. Speaking of history makers Tatyana McFadden is going for four

in a row in London. Although her winning streak was brought to an end

by Tashi -- Toshida recently. This is without doubt one of the most

eagerly anticipated wheelchair races we have had in the 36 year history

of the virgin London Marathon. Dave Weir has it all to do, finishing

fourth in Boston last week. Although that was his first outing on that

course. You need to push Boston four or five times to give yourself a

chance of winning. Meanwhile, here are the rest of the IPC athletics

World Cup event athletes. We have a mixture of visually impaired and arm

amputees. Many of these athletes running with guides. They run in

sync. It's the epitome of teamwork. It's a great feature of the London

Marathon now. That we have another tune Divas of the leading Paralympic

athletes to compete on the same course as the able-bodied athletes.

They don't have too many chances to run in front of such huge crowds.

Ideal conditions really for Marathon running, particularly for the

elites. It is cool but not much breeze, the sun is trying to come

through. 78 degrees. Perfect. The elite women as you can see there,

some of the British names who will be trying to make their way into the

Olympic team, more on that when they get going. A big day of course for

the international field but a massive day for the British athletes

as well. The London Marathon, the elite women race, gets underway in

20s Eksteen, an Olympic year. Great champions are here. -- in 2016. They

will want to make their mark and perhaps guarantee Olympic selection

as well as complete a great London Marathon on this pretty fine Sunday

morning. This is a particularly good one, as you mentioned, it's an

Olympic year, the British athletes in the second group with a pacemaker

are aiming for a race between them, and I think the first three will

have every chance of being selected for the Olympics. It will be a

competitive race. Similarly the Ethiopian and Kenyan athletes are

also looking for Olympic selection, so there are other Julie two races.

-- so there are virtually two races. Going to the front in this

fascinating men's wheelchair race. It was the big four for quite a

while and then they decided to slow down. You can tell even if you are

not an expert in wheelchair racing just how steadily they are taking

this action. This is one of the early iconic landmarks, Cutty Sark.

The British women are already around a minute or so behind the leaders.

It's not particularly warm today. It is very good conditions for quick

running. As long as the wind does not pick up in the later stages. We

are expecting a little breeze but nothing too bad. Keitany is starting

to force things. The others are spread out. The cadence has picked

up a little. Kiplagat, Mergia and pad Asa -- pad

Tower Bridge is the next major target. It is a magnificent sight.

You know when you get to Tower Bridge that the race is really about

to begin. You have knocked off the first 12 and a half and this is

where the training pays dividends. Marcel Hug has gone to the front.

Dave Weir is in third. Dave Weir is a very tactical race. They are

always watching to see where he is so they are obviously fairly

concerned about the sprint finish. The climb over Tower Bridge is

deeper than you think. They are all looking in a great position right

now. Just before the elite men and the masses started there was time

for reflection, 35 years ago on the 29th of March 1981 the vision of two

men came into being as over 6000 runners were accepted to take part

in the first London Marathon. Chris Brasher died 13 years ago and sadly

this year the London Marathon's second co-founder John Disley passed

away in February aged 87. His wife and children were special guests

today and started the early races. Respects were paid to John, a

pioneer of mass participation in sport.

There are some of the names going through for the British men, as per

the British women. A big day. Olympic selection at stake. Callum

Hawkins already has the qualifying time. In a year when the millionth

finisher will cross the line it is apt that this most powerful and

greatest of human races begins with a start which is out of this world.

It's a huge honour to be asked to be the official starter of the 2016

London Marathon. Go! We have liftoff! Liftoff for the

London Marathon 2016. The elites are on their way from the blue start,

cheered by those in the grandstands. And I'm sure by everybody watching

around the world and indeed in space. Tim Peake will be setting off

on his own quest to complete this most traditional of distances. And

in a weekend where we celebrate the 400th birthday of Shakespeare, his

words are pretty apt, now bid me run and I will strive with things

impossible. Let's have a closer look at exactly where they are heading,

we are waiting patiently at the finish for them. The 26 miles which

has become very familiar to a lot of them, for some they have never been

here before, making their debut. People come from around the world.

As I say, they come together at around three miles through the

quickest part of the course and then heading towards Cutty Sark where big

crowds will be gathered at around six miles, always a popular place.

Through Rotherhithe, eight, nine, ten miles, and then they will see

Tower Bridge in the distance as halfway approaches. Across Tower

Bridge, big crowds, and then they had out towards Canary Wharf as they

get through the halfway point. 15 miles, and then through one or two

of the twisting and turning parts of the course and then they start the

long run for home. Back towards the tower, and then along the embankment

for the last two or three miles, some of the great sights of London

ahead of them, you can see Big Ben from a long way down the embankment

and then Buckingham Palace and into the mall, passing in front of us.

250 metres or so to the finish line. Meanwhile, making her way around the

course steadily and honing in hopefully on a fourth consecutive

title, Tatyana McFadden, closely followed. A great race developing.

Her race is going very well indeed. Disappointment for the double silver

medallist Shelly Woods who brings her race to a premature end around

Tower Bridge, that is a sad end to the aspirations Shelly Woods for a

third London title. You never know, when a puncture or flat tyre will

cause you problems. The elite women in the sunshine. The pace has been

up and down, very fast through miles four, five, six, seven, that sort of

period but it has now settled down into a steady pace, some of the

athletes looking around, Sumgong checking who is in the group. Has

ever leading things, and not much has changed over the past three or

four miles. They looked for a while as though Keitany meant business

today but for whatever reason she has backed off. I'm intrigued as to

what the reason may have been, she looked as though she was running

really well, really full of running, and then she settled back, nothing

too serious but she may have decided that today was a day where she wants

to concentrate just on winning. So, from a pack of leading elite women,

to our loan leader, Tatyana McFadden, going for four in a row,

every year she has won that title she has broken her own course

record. Tatyana McFadden has the race under control at the moment.

Well, things really warming up in terms of the British women's race as

well for these Olympic sports, but it's warming up, and they are

slowing down, they have let go of the pacemaker, these five women

locked together, Partridge, Samuels and Charlotte Purdue altogether, and

this has already become a tactical race. It is so important to be in a

winning position, the first of two, you don't want to risk too much

early on, you don't want to risk going out too hard and seeing if you

can hang on, you want to conserve some energy, these women are really

looking at each other and this will be at huge test of nerve. They are

gearing up for a huge charge at the finish line. The big three are going

for it here. They have all won before, but who will take the title

in 2016? David Weir tries to come wide on the outside but Marcel Hug

is holding it at the moment. Marcel Hug looks as though he's in the

driving seat here, firmly in second. David Weir finishing in third, still

on the hunt for that elusive seventh title. Marcel Hug copied and

followed every move, and when the moment came to strike, nobody, not

even the great Dave Weir, could respond. Hug has taken the title, as

he did two years ago. That is a very, very important stepping stone

on the wrote to Rio, for the man from Switzerland. Fantastic race for

him. When it came to the sprint finish, he looked like he had a lot

left in him. A beautiful race from Marcel Hug, it will give him so much

confidence going to Rio and the rest of the road racing season. In the

men's race, they've gone through ten kilometres in an incredibly quick

time. 28.37. That's incredible, to be honest. That is sub two hours and

one minute pace, which is incredibly fast. You can see the damage it has

done to the field, which is strung out behind them. For the page they

are running out, still a fairly large group. I think it's incredibly

too quick. So, very interesting in the Elite Women's race, because

Tatyana McFadden doesn't have it all her own way. Manuela Schar is on the

back wheel of McFadden. Now we find out what the American has got, it is

wheel to wheel, shoulder to shoulder, Schar is trying to come

around the outside and she is closing. The question is being asked

about McFadden starts to respond. She is the world's greatest

wheelchair racer but this year they've started to make her really

work for these titles. Digging in, gritting her teeth and now she looks

up and rear lies is that the daylight is there between her and

Manuela Schar. McFadden makes it four in a row, but that was the

hardest one we've seen her win so far. Credit to Switzerland's Manuela

Schar for coming back into the race. Schar is looking tired, this is her

third marathon of the season. She looks amazing. She has a massive

schedule ahead of her in Rio, she's going to be racing every disc is on

the track and relay, so she needs to be on the best shape she can be two

racing every distance. Susan doesn't have the qualifying time so far,

drifting off the back of the pack. Four athletes are pulling away, and

Susan Partridge is having a bad time. Let's go back to the front of

the mens rea is because it looks like things maybe breaking up. There

was a water station and Kipchoge has taken the chance. Incredibly fast

paced. World record pace, for the marathon. If the second half has

been like it has been in other events, in the second half they come

back quicker but I can't believe they are going to do that today.

Now, here we have the three together, it is between these three.

2.31, the qualifying time. Sonia Samuels in the yellow, Ally Dixon on

the far side, both have the qualifying time and if they finish

in the top two they are guaranteed selection. Charlotte Purdue doesn't

have that qualifying time, this is her first marathon time and she has

slipped out of the qualifying time which is going to be an issue for

her. She is running very well, but at the moment, that 2.31, this is a

pace which is a bit outside that. Callum Hawkins, judging it well. I

think he's the one we thought would be the man today. Johnny Haynes went

off hard. Callum has the qualifying time, if he finishes in the top two

British athletes, he is guaranteed election for Rio. He looks strong,

he looks like he's just this well to this point. We've watched this place

taking its toll on some big names. Kenenisa Bekele has gone, but so has

Wilson Kipsang. He's just dropped off this little group. Welcomer

drama in the men's race, but in the women's race a few minutes ago, this

happened -- well, drama. Water stations, Paula talks about them,

get yourself set up. Look at that, Sumgong, taking down the prerace

favourite, Keitany. Sumgong banged her head there. They were going

along so easily and serenely. These things happen, of course, but

normally it is to do with cutting across it other. It looks like

Sumgong was looking at her watch, she grabbed her drink. She has

responded better than the other two. Actually she has got herself back to

the group. So, too far, Kiplagat, Dibaba. Kiplagat is looking around

looking for Keitany, and she is 50 metres behind that group. Sumgong

has done brilliantly to get it back. She's done really well considering

how hard she hit her head when she went down. You don't want to see

anybody falling in a race, but she took down two other runners. I think

that for Mary Keitany, her race may be pretty much over. Well, we'll

keep track of what's going on there. These two locked together, Kipchoge

and Biwott, the winner of the New York Marathon. Kipchoge has only

been beaten in a marathon once, in Berlin, when Kipsang broke the world

record which was subsequently broken by Kimetto. Those two are not to be

seen today. The pace has dropped but it is still quick, 4.44, on the 19th

mile. It's turning out to be a great day at the London Marathon, all

sorts happening in all sections of the races. Look at this in the

women's elite race at the front, Sumgong, despite falling and banging

her head rather heavily on the road, she has got up and got to the front

and she is forcing the pace on the Embankment. Three women, so much

going on. We want to try and follow the British race as well. Callum

Hawkins has moved into the top British place, moving ahead of

Tewelde. Hawkins is judging his effort really well. The 23-year-old

is looking strong and good. Down to two in the men and two in the women.

The damage is Dhading to show. Tufa, a bit of daylight opening up and she

is responding to pick up wet Sumgong because she knows that if Sumgong

gets too big a gap then she won't be able to close it -- to keep up with

Sumgong. It has been a dramatic day already in this London Marathon and

we've already seen a world best for the 30 kilometres, one hour, 27.30,

which is 30 seconds in side the old world record. The sun is shining on

Jemima Sumgong. No Mary Keitany, who fell with Sumgong. Note Florence

Kiplagat -- no. It was all left to Sumgong, from the hills of Kenya,

working so hard. She tripped up and banged her head very heavily, she

got up and caught up with the leaders, getting to the front and

forged on, getting into the lead and now she's running for victory. Big

crowds in the home straight cheering Jemima Sumgong of Kenya, who wins

the 2016 London Marathon. Just inside two hours and 23. Last year's

winner crosses the line in second place, a great defence for her. It

looks like Florence Kiplagat is in third place. What a great, great

story for Jemima Sumgong. -- Brave story. 20-year-old Callum Hawkins,

heading towards the first British man home but also a personal best.

Running quickly, and guaranteeing a spot in the Rio team. He is the

fourth fastest Scottish marathon manner ever after Hutton, Fraser

Klein and the great Jim Oliver, who will be watching this one and

cheering on Callum Hawkins, a young Scotsman running with aggression in

the marathon. Great to see. Look at this, the first two British athletes

crossing the line here today, guaranteeing their selection for

Rio. What a dream come true that will be for Ally Dixon. 37 years of

age, the last chance perhaps to go to an Olympic Games and she has

cemented that decision here with a performance. It has been hard and

tough and I think there is a smile, yes, well done! Great performance

from her, great performance from sunnier behind her as well. The two

of them being cheered home by this big crowd. -- from Sonia. They are

going to Rio, congratulations. The hard day and the longest trial

anybody has to run, but they've done it. Kipchoge has kicked away from

Biwott, pushing on, despite the fast pace, despite the record being

insights. He, of course, is using his very good marathon tactical

brain to think he isn't leading this. Biwott is a great athlete but

he is spent. Charlotte Purdue, the third British athlete. That's an

interesting because technically, she is a debutante, and that's a pretty

good first race over the marathon distance for Charlotte Purdue.

Interesting one for the selectors, young talent, perhaps a future at

the event, will they take her? Look how good he looks, look how severe

the years, how strong and quickly is. Elliott Kipchoge, the winner

here in London last year -- quickly he is. He was a winner when he was

just 18 years old. And here, in 2016, he is heading for one of the

fastest marathons of all time. Just missing the world record, but for

Eliud Kipchoge, just outside two hours and three minutes, one of the

greatest races in history. Kipchoge wins the London Marathon, he can't

believe it. He is less than ten seconds off the world record. I'm

not sure that he realised it, look at his face, he is shaking his head.

Goodness me, that was a chance. Kipchoge has just become the second

fastest of all time. Look at Biwott, he is still coming in, tired, but

look at his time. Biwott runs a personal best in second place, under

two hours four, joining the elite club. What a race, in 2016, the

London Marathon has done it again. And look at this, what a return to

form for Kenenisa Bekele. A smile on his face, it was too crick in the

early stages, especially on the way back from injury, but Kenenisa

Bekele crossing the line in two hours and six minutes, very

respectable -- too crick. To do it off as little training as he has

done it shows you how great he is -- too quick. I can remember watching

Callum Wilson doing cross-country in Scotland, it is great to see him

coming to such prominence, he's going to Rio and the Olympic Games.

He is the best British athlete in the London Marathon in 2016, two

hours ten, 55, congratulations to Callum Hawkins. Tewelde in the blue,

is he guaranteed a spot? He is, because you only have to finish in

the top two. He is tired, he went off hard. Tewelde will be heading to

Rio, just ahead of Darren Hawkins -- Derek Hawkins, who has run a great

race, just didn't time it right. He will be inside the qualifying mark

so the question is whether the British selectors will look upon

this performance from the older Hawkins brother and say yes, that

was good enough? Well done to him, one minute inside the qualifying

mark. We could have two brothers going to the Olympic Games in the

marathon. The official result of the men's wheelchair race. Marcel Hug

had too much for Kurt Fearnley and David Weir, who only managed third

in his quest to go to Rio and the Olympics. He knows what he has to

beat. I always wanted well, it is an Olympic year as well. It would be

nice to win, obviously. It gives me a marker on what I need to do now

for the next couple of months before Rio. In the women's wheelchair race,

sadly Shelly Woods had to retire. As expected, Tatiana McFadden winning,

but only by one second. It was quite an exhausting race. I tried to play

to my strength and take the turns as best as possible. Really having

enough energy towards the end. Manuela is such a great and strong

competitor, I'm looking forward to the Olympic Games, it is going to be

tough. I have a lot more training to do and more focused, definitely.

Wonderful performance from Eliud Kipchoge, defending his title and

nearly breaking the world record. A new course record. Stanley Biwott

also within two hours and four minutes. Great return to form for

Kenenisa Bekele in third. Callum Hawkins was the first of the British

athletes, running a new personal best, cementing his place in the

team for Rio and he will be joined by Tewelde. Great performance from

him and Derek Hawkins, the next best was inside the qualifying time and

may yet be selected. The crowd was pushing me, it is a wonderful crowd.

It is. It is what pushes me. In fact in every kilometre, the crowd are

cheering you and you keep on moving. There you are, crossing the line,

the top British athlete on the plane to Rio. I was feeling good at

halfway, I put in quite a big effort but the last couple of miles,

especially coming up the finish, I was really hurting and trying to

hold on. Surprise winner of the women's race, Jemima Sumgong.

Winning despite falling. She got up and won ahead of last year's winner,

Tuva. -- Tigist Tufa. On the race to Rio, Dixon and Samuels cementing

their place. A great debut for Charlotte Purdue, just about one

minute behind those two and she may be picked by the selectors. The

plaster on your head tells us that it was a nasty fall. I feel great, I

feel good, although I have some bruises on my body. You looks very

strong in that last kilometre or so. When you both knew that you had

broken away and you had it in the bag, did it feel much easier? In a

way, it did, but my legs were killing me over the last two miles.

My quadriceps were cramped up but nobody said it was going to be easy.

Definitely worth it. A whole series of great races out on

this iconic course, Raymond Martin won the T 51/52 World Cup race. A

wheelchair athlete with less upper body mobility and flexibility than

David Weir and Marcel Hug. Hence he ran a separate race. A great athlete

from the United States. Our whole host of world class visually

impaired athletes. T11 slashed 12. -- T11

two Santos defended his title in the T13 visually impaired category.

Imagine the cheers he will get if he does the same in Rio in September.

Then we have the arm amputee race. This in the World Championship last

year over 1500 metres, stepping up to the marathon in fine style. Just

eight seconds outside the world record. The full list of the IPC

Marathon World Cup winners. Watch out for them in the Rio

Paralympics later on this year in September. A wonderful day of

racing. It has been a great opportunity for these Paralympic is

to compete on the packed streets of London on the worlds premier

marathon. A special part of London Marathon is

the mini marathon which sees over 1500 young athletes competing over

the last three miles of the course. Representing the 11 regions of

England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Record levels of

wheelchair participation. Tom Mortimer won the battle of the

sprint finishes in the under 17 boys. Prizes for best celebrations

went to Sabrina Sinha and Faye Ireland. I have worked really hard

and it has paid off. This is my hometown and it makes it more

special, especially the crowd, amazing. They were really supporting

us like the real Marathon, it is really supportive, getting that

atmosphere, even though it is the mini marathon people lost all

supporting us. Time to focus on the masses who every year raised

millions for charity and hopefully you can spot someone you know among

the 35,000 strong crowd, maybe that was your mum or maybe that is your

dad or that is the guy that you see at work everyday. You get the idea.

Keep an eye out. 36000 and more setting off on their

great journey. This year will be the year that the 1,000,000th finisher

will cross the finish line in the London Marathon. The blue start and

green start come together after around a mile, the redstart in

Greenwich mile, there they are on the right of your picture, they will

head on their path towards a meeting point in three miles when all of the

starts come together. There they are in Greenwich Park. It will take a

good few minutes for most of them to cross the line, but it all happens

incredibly smoothly. Organisation has ever, all of the planning

ensures that everybody will get their turn. Well, it's a site that

never fails to inspire our around the world, it's a very special year

for a special event. It certainly is and I've sat here 36 years in a row

and what a week it has been so far in London. We have at the Queen's

90th birthday celebrations, and the Shakespeare 400th anniversary

celebrations, and today, the biggest mass participation marathon in the

world celebrates its millionth finisher. What an occasion. Who

would have thought all those years ago when 6000 runners lined up in

Greenwich Park that we would be looking at an event where a million

people have taken part. If you think back to when they were watching the

first marathon in 1981, only a few hundred people in Britain had ever

had experience of running a marathon but nowadays people watching today

will see the colourful site, over 1 million of those people will have

experienced the modern phenomenon and that is the Marathon, the crowds

are excited at the start and the runners are hopefully not too

excited, they have two gauge it carefully and start slow, some of

them slowing down there, but I must say that these are great conditions

for distance running. They are very good conditions for distance

running, I great course and a great place to do it. So much buzz. They

are there at the start, but the whole way along the route they are

waiting for these runners to finish their journey today, to arrive at

the finish line a bit stronger. Where would you rather be? In the

fitness I'm in right now I would probably rather be sitting here but

I always want to be out running. In 36 years this has become a British

institution, it almost heralds spring time in Britain, the London

Marathon. This is what 40,000 people looks like, 40,000 people with the

same intention and the same idea, to get over the finish line. Think

about the hours of training they have undergone, to get here.

Millions of miles, millions of hours, thousands and thousands of

people doing it. If you're not inspired by this, then what would

inspire you? I'm wondering how Tim is getting on. Tim Peake, well, talk

about the loneliest long-distance runner, nobody could be more lonely,

but we are with him and he's watching pictures and he seems to be

going well. At around 70% body weight, that harness holds him onto

the treadmill. Paula thinks it is cheating, altitude training! Running

at 70% body weight is easy! You tell him. I'm not telling him. And he

doesn't need to worry about missing drinks! Big crowds now, not a bad

day for spectating if you are well wrapped up, perfect day for running

a marathon, temperature spot on. It will get up to ten or 11 degrees,

with a bit of breeze starting to pick up at the mall, and we are

expecting it to be in their faces a bit along the embankment but not too

much, to be there. It could cool down one or two people. They have

trained hard, most of them, for this. Some smiles, and at this point

they still have a way to go. One or two pained expressions as well. They

just had to knuckle down and enjoy the crowds. Easily the best costume

I've seen all day, who are you going to call? It's got to be Dave.

Without a doubt! Running for Macmillan. My brother-in-law has

cancer at the moment. However hard this is for me I can take this pack

off in a couple of hours but he can't do it with his. This is for

you, Graham. Fancy dress and all of the charities, and I guess the new

fad, wearing their name in large letters across their chest, so they

get a cheer from those here on the bridge on the pavements, and

overhead, they are finding all sorts of vantage points. You hear a lot of

music as you are coming over the bridge and watch out, you might see

Kenyan corner, a bunch of guys cheering for Kenya. I hope you are

having a good run out there! It is not a Kenyan corner. Love it. Tower

Bridge, a very iconic viewpoint in terms of the race and in London

generally. It is a favourite place despite Tate, people get a place

here very early. Look at the charity flags and a shout out to a bunch

running for hospice UK. Daniel, Robbie, David, Paul, Stuart, they

have raised over ?5 million. Well done. So many great causes. This is

my 130 of Marathon today! How are you feeling? -- 130th. I've raised

?15,000 for charity for vulnerable children and today it's my last one,

I'm retiring. 130! This is your victory lap? One lap of honour! I

have to get my friend! Keep going. A great reception so far, what has it

been like? It's been amazing. I'm trying to keep calm so I can

breathe. You are setting a good pace. Best of luck. You want to keep

going with me? You on your own! Don't forget this year the

1,000,000th finisher will cross the line, probably towards the back end

of the field and that's why we will find out in a couple of weeks when

the organisers and announce it will be. With us in them out, it is

starting to get busier here. -- the Mall. The roads are starting to fill

with so many people out watching this year as well, the weather has

been kind, bit of breeze on the embankment but keeping them cruel in

the latter stages. Thousands and thousands, tens of thousands out

there, cheering them on, right through the route and particularly

in the last few miles. Do not underestimate how much that helps.

If you are watching these images and you feel inspired, but you are a bit

intimidated by 26.2 miles, don't be, because as you can see, it really is

a case of all shapes and sizes, all ages and abilities. Every thousand

mile journey starts with a single step. There are so many guides

online, if you can't even run for the bus it doesn't matter, walk five

minutes, jog five minutes, repeat. Little bit by little bit you can

start jogging, you can do a 5k, 10k, even if you're sat at home and you

think you could never do this, you are not right, please go online and

have a look at the guides, anybody, and I do mean anybody, can run a

marathon if they really, really want to. With enough training and enough

belief. And these people are clear evidence of that statement. Please

come and join. This is a brilliant event. Come and be part of it, even

if it's going to take you seven hours next year, come and join

London's number one party. That is a great outfit today! Tell me, you've

got to be doing this for a good cause. I did it for Cancer Research

UK. How has it been? Great support? It is so hot in here I can't even

see breed so I will be happy when I see Buckingham Palace. Where are you

from? I'm originally from Australia. Your first London Marathon? It is my

fifth but next year I will do it without the costume! Well done, you

are not far from home. The atmosphere is amazing and the

support is wonderful, it's just mind blowing. You are you running for? I

am running for Beat to support eating disorders. And I'm running

for the primary school where I am the head teacher. Keep it going!

Kelly Holmes approaching the finish line in a very quick time, 3.1 one.

Who could be surprised that she looks so good? The double Olympic

champion. I can see you have got yourselves a wonderful contraption,

what has it been like for 13 miles? It has been heavy and it's all about

the pushing and pulling, running at different speeds. It's tough. We

know how cool running as works but you have to be in sync? -- runnings.

It's all about the charity. They are not listening so you can say who the

dead weight is! It's those three at the back! Just don't tell them. You

are doing a great job. Keep it up. Dame Kelly Holmes how did it feel?

It was amazing. I was in a daze and I zoned out, it is so weird. So much

music and everything. At nine miles I had purple rain going on. And then

I could hear the crowd. I was almost switching off and then at mile 19 my

legs were thinking, uh-oh, this is it. My hips are just thinking,...

You came down the Mall and you almost did the entire thing on your

toes, you were bouncing. I look in pain there!

It was hard! I wish he was here, there was a guy called Ben who

helped me the entire way. He was telling me to slow down and the

beginning and without that two and look, I got a medal! Tim Peake, a

long run, but he has got the fastest marathon in orbit, we hours, 35

minutes. -- three hours. Over 30,000 people will finish, making up that

wonderful one in a million. There are people watching this marathon,

in three hours 40, this is a very good time, there will be people

watching this who will be part of the one in a million group. When you

think of the first ever marathon, only a couple of hundred people

watched when we had recorded highlights on the BBC, only a couple

of hundred people had experienced running a marathon. As these

pictures go around the world to 100 countries, a million people will be

saying that they've done it before. Well, do it again.

# Though nothing will drive them away

We can be heroes, just for one day

Tell us why it is so important you are running? Sadly Polly lost her

son Harry to an undiagnosed heart condition so we are raising money

for as many people as we can, youngsters, to be screened, so it

doesn't happen again. Massive love to Debbie and her family. There is a

smile on your face. My ankle is hurting but I will keep it going.

Take care. Missed the hand! Dave, your partner in crime Jonathan

Pearce isn't with you, but you are still flying the flag. Yeah for the

Lilly foundation, nearly nine years since we lost our daughter Lily, to

Michael congealed disease -- mitochondrial disease. We have

raised 9 million, helping a lot of families, who are getting genetic

answers for their condition and it has been incredible. Unfortunately,

Jonathan isn't here. Last year I ran with Iwan Thomas. I'm on my own, but

it is going well. Not far from the four hour mark, those coming into

the mall now, you will see them struggling over the last half a

mile. It's amazing how they are getting helped, runners giving up

their times to help those struggling over the line. Look, on the way to a

record number of finishers in the 36 running of the London Marathon.

Fantastic crowds on the route, fantastic atmosphere. Springtime in

this country, the sun has shown, even though the weather forecasters

said it was going to snow today! Not much sign of snow, but signs of a

wonderful atmosphere in London. This is the best marathon in the world,

the finest organisation too. Michael Britt L and the rest of the team,

David Redford, they must be very happy indeed, Emma Thompson, who

looks after the course, fantastic effort. And there it is, in all its

glory. Running towards the Embankment. I think we've seen the

finest marathon performance in history. Eliud Kipchoge, in a race,

a little bit too quick in the early stages. These people, some of them

have done the same, touring too quickly early, but we've seen the

finest organisation and marathon in history, in every sense. A record

number of runners. Amazing how long the last few miles can feel if the

wheels are coming off. Robbie three quarters of the people running have

their names on their T-shirts -- probably. Even though you may not

take much motivation from hearing your name from eight stranger, you

would think, but it really does help -- a stranger. So many people have

names and nicknames. It gives the crowd something to cheer for because

when you get eight smile back from a runner, if you are spectating, you

feel that you have really helped in a difficult moment -- eight smile.

-- a smile. I know you have a special delivery for me. I'm so glad

that I kept this clean and dry for you. Thank you for the brilliant

coverage. I'm running for the Haven again, they do fantastic work, if

you want to go online, the Hereford Haven. A huge and you. From my

postman colleagues in Hereford, the Haven, we have raised over ?18,000

this year. Helping to beat breast cancer. I feel honoured and humbled

and the highlight is coming here to meet you! Great to see you, keep

running. I think it is more like hobbling, but thank you so much!

Brilliant, thanks, Mike. Rupert, many people think of Bagpuss as one

of their favourite characters but are you starting to hate him? I have

one or two issues, yes! I am feeling hot and he has been banging on my

hips the entire way. Why did you choose to carry him? I didn't

choose, it was chosen. I have I run a lot of marathons and I have

to give something back. # "Break My Stride" - Matthew Wilder

#. # Ain't nothin' gonna

break my stride # Oh-no, oh-no, I got

to keep on moving # Ain't nothin' gonna

break my stride # Ain't nothin' gonna break my

stride # Oh-no, oh-no, I got

to keep on moving # Ain't nothin' gonna

break my stride For most people, one marathon would

be enough, but for Ben Smith, this is one of his 401. He won't finish

until October. He ran yesterday and he will run one tomorrow but this is

a special day for Ben Smith. Congratulations, and he doesn't even

run slowly, does he? Just over four hours today. You are a hero.

Incredible, the atmosphere is amazing but the crowd is there all

the time. I'm just making sure I get through and cross the finish line.

You know it isn't far to go now. I'm grateful you stopped me now, I can

have a break! You kept moving, which is the important thing. Definitely.

Honestly, the support has been incredible, the atmosphere is

amazing. So many good charities. You see the back of their T-shirts and

why they are doing it, inspiring, so I'm determined to finish. You will,

well done. The legendary Ken. Yeah! I've done everyone and I'm looking

forward to the next one. You are an inspiration to so many people. Over

the last 36 years, what has been the biggest change? So much better

organised. At first, we had buses to put our things in but now it is

beautifully done. The entire race is magnificent. You already talking

about 2017, but let's concentrate on the next 13 miles! I'm going to do

it! Still they come in their thousands. The latest world record,

the fastest marathon dressed as a tack, that was Ian Rule, and he is

still running! Ordinary people doing extraordinary things and that will

always be the highlight of the London Marathon. For me, it is being

proud to be British, and being proud to be part of the London Marathon

and all of its great history. Showing it in its best light.

Without doubt it is the greatest day in London every year, such a sense

of warmth, and such a great place to come and run 26.2 miles, for the

first time, the 10th time, whatever speed, a brilliant day. Well, we are

nearly out of time but if you are motivated to get active, you can

visit the Get Active page on the BBC website and find out about getting

running in your area. Plenty more athletics coming up on the BBC.

But that's it for the 2016 London Marathon. We've had some incredibly

exciting races including a near miss of a world record for Eliud Kipchoge

in the men's race. British athletes claiming spaces for Rio and

thousands of incredibly inspiring athletes, raising millions of pounds

for charity as well. From all of us, this year, goodbye.