After more than two years of disruption because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the London marathon is officially back.

More than 40,000 runners will take to the iconic 26.2 mile route from Greenwich to The Mall this morning.

Last year’s race had to be held virtually, with participants running the distance on their own chosen route, but the capital will once again see thousands pounding its pavements today.

Like many aspects of life, the race is almost back to normal – but not quite.

It is having to be held in October rather than spring and there are as many people continuing to run it virtually as there are on the course.

There will also be no volunteers on hand to hang medals round the necks of finishers either.

Large groups will not wait at the start line together and instead participants will set off in more than 40 waves across a 90-minute period with no official pacers this year.

Participants are being encouraged to wear a bottle belt so they can carry a drink to further reduce touchpoints on the day, and have been asked to invite just one supporter to reduce crowds along the route.

Those running in central London will have to be able to show a negative lateral flow test for Covid-19.

In a message to participants, event director Hugh Brasher, whose father Chris Brasher co-founded the race, said the event would show ‘the true spirit of the London Marathon at its very best’.

He said: ‘Back in 1981, one of the founding aims of the London Marathon was ‘to have fun and provide some happiness and a sense of achievement in a troubled world’.

‘Forty years on, those words have never been more appropriate.’

London Marathon participants have raised more than £1 billion for good causes during the past 40 years and Mr Brasher said it ‘will be one of the greatest days of the year for charity fundraising in times that have been incredibly difficult’.

Lucy Harvey, from Poole, Dorset, who turned 18 on Saturday, will be the youngest runner, while Koichi Kitabatake, 87, from Japan, is due to be the oldest.

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