Rekindle The Heroics Of Greek Legend By Running The London Marathon

In 490BC, the invading Persians fought a bloody battle against the Athenians at the town of Marathon in Greece. Legend has it that the people of Athens were waiting anxiously for news from the battlefield when a lone foot soldier called Pheidippides, who had run the 24 miles from Marathon to Athens, arrived with news that the Persians had been defeated.

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The London Marathon: The History of the Greatest Race on Earth
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The courage and the craziness of the characters who for 25 years have run the streets of London, have turned this race into the greatest marathon in the world. The London Marathon is a testament to their endeavour, and to the spirit that leads them each spring to tackle their own suburban Everest. This is their story.
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When the first modern Olympic Games took place in Athens in 1896, the legend was revived and the marathon race was born. When the Olympics were hosted in London in 1908, the marathon’s distance was extended to 26 miles so that it could be run from Windsor Castle to the White City Stadium, with an additional 385 yards being added so that the race could finish in front of the royal viewing box!

26.2 miles is now the official marathon distance and since 1981 London has been host to one of the world’s greatest marathon events with 46,500 running every year.

Twice that number apply to run the London Marathon, with the majority of entries being decided via a ballot system. Which means a lot of disappointed people.

However, every year places are reserved for charities who offer them to runners who were unsuccessful in the main ballot system and who are willing to help raise money for them. It’s a great way to guarantee your place at the start line and you will be raising money for a good cause.

The next London Marathon takes place on the 23rd of April 2006. Each year the organisers nominate one or two official charities and they usually have a significant number of these guaranteed places available. The charities chosen for 2006 are The Stroke Association (telephone 020 7566 0300) and The Anthony Nolan Trust (telephone 01865 875757).

Dozens of other charities have guaranteed race places too and a complete list can be found on the Real Runner website.

For more information on the 2006 London Marathon, visit the official website.

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