The TCS London Marathon 2022 is set to take place in the capital this Sunday, October 2.
First held in 1981, there have been some incredible sporting achievements over the years.
LondonWorld has rounded up the nine most memorable moments of the London Marathon.
1. First men’s marathon winners shared victory in 1981
What started as an idea in a pub in Richmond was made reality in 1981 when the first ever London Marathon was held. Inspired by the early days of the New York race, Norway’s Inge Simonsen and USA’s Dick Beardsley decided half a mile out to share the victory and clocked a time of 2:11:48. The picture of the two men crossing the finish line together would make waves around the world and prove an iconic opening moment for the event. | Getty Images
2. LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: London marathon champions Antonio Pinto of Portugal (L) and Joyce Chepchumba of Kenya toast to victory 23 April for Sunday's, 26 April, London marathon. Pinto a wine coinnoisseur bought a vineyard in Porto with his earnings from last years win. (Photo credit should read GERRY PENNY/AFP via Getty Images)
Joyce Chepchumba of Kenya made history in 1997 by becoming the first non-European winner of the women’s London Marathon. It might be hard to imagine now, but the first 16 winners of the London race were all from the same continent, with the tides most firmly switched now. After beating defending champion Liz McColgan by just one second, the Kenyan would go on to win the Chicago Marathon, the New York City Marathon and the Tokyo Marathon. | AFP via Getty Images
3. Her name might now be synonymous with this race, but it was her performance in the early 2000s that put Paula Radcliffe up there with the greats to compete in this event. Her stunning time of 2:15:25 would stand as a world record for some 16 years and remains the second fastest women’s marathon in history. The Brit also managed to go faster in the second half of the race, proving her dominance over the field that year.
Her name might now be synonymous with this race, but it was her performance in the early 2000s that put Paula Radcliffe up there with the greats to compete in this event. Her stunning time of 2:15:25 would stand as a world record for some 16 years and remains the second fastest women’s marathon in history. The Brit also managed to go faster in the second half of the race, proving her dominance over the field that year. | Getty Images
4. Radcliffe smashes world record in 2003 Her name might now be synonymous with this race, but it was her performance in the early 2000s that put Paula Radcliffe up there with the greats to compete in this event. Her stunning time of 2:15:25 would stand as a world record for some 16 years and remains the second fastest women’s marathon in history. The Brit also managed to go faster in the second half of the race, proving her dominance over the field that year.
The former professional goalkeeper is famed for his extreme charity challenges, inspired by his leukaemia battle. In 2002 he completed the London Marathon course while wearing a deep sea diving costume, which took him five days, eight hours, 29 minutes and 46 seconds. His suit and race number are now on display at the Greenwich National Maritime Museum. | Getty Images