When was the first London Marathon? A look back at the first race through the city
Here’s everything you need to know about the first-ever London Marathon.
Today, the streets of London are buzzing with energy, laughter, nerves, and a whole lot of running shoes pounding the pavement. That’s right, it’s London Marathon day! And while thousands lace up for the challenge, it’s worth remembering that this incredible event has quite the story behind it.
The very first London Marathon took place on Sunday, 29 March 1981, inspired by the electric atmosphere of the New York City Marathon. Olympic champion Chris Brasher and fellow athlete John Disley dreamt of bringing that same magic to London — and they did just that.
Back then, around 20,000 hopefuls applied, with 7,747 lucky runners getting the nod. When race day came, about 7,055 crossed the start line, and a heroic 6,255 finished the full 26.2 miles. Talk about determination!
The men's race ended with a heartwarming moment: American Dick Beardsley and Norwegian Inge Simonsen chose to cross the finish line hand-in-hand, clocking the same winning time of 2:11:48. Meanwhile, Britain’s own Joyce Smith smashed it in the women's race, winning with a time of 2:29:57. Legends, the lot of them.
Fast forward to today, and the London Marathon has grown into one of the world’s biggest and most beloved running events. It’s not just about the elites chasing records — it’s about everyday heroes running for causes close to their hearts, wearing costumes, and proving that spirit and determination are what really matter.
So if you're out and about in London today, give those runners a cheer (extra points if you bring a witty sign)! After all, you're witnessing history in motion, just like they did back in 1981.
Happy marathon day, London!