THE LONDON MARATHON - A HISTORY

In November 1979, Chris Brasher took part in the New York City Marathon and afterwards, in a major article in The Observer, wrote:

“To believe this story, you must believe that the human race can be one joyous family, working together, laughing together, achieving the impossible.  Last Sunday, in one of the most trouble-stricken cities in the world, 11,532 men and women from 40 countries in the world, assisted by over a million black, white and yellow people, laughed and cheered and suffered during the greatest folk festival the world has seen...”.

The article ended:

“I wonder whether London could stage such a festival?  We have the course, a magnificent course.... but do we have the heart and hospitality to welcome the world?”

Donald Trelford, then the Editor of The Observer, and Chris Brasher met with the relevant authorities - the Greater London Council (GLC), the Police and the athletics’ governing bodies - early in 1980 and the London Marathon was born.

Later that year, Brasher travelled to America, where the ‘running boom’ of the late 1970’s had originated.  He witnessed the Boston Marathon, the world’s oldest, and revisited the New York City race.  He studied the races’ organisation and finances.

Upon his return, Brasher prepared a budget for the first London Marathon, showing expected expenditure of £75,000.  With the help of agents, he also found a sponsor, Gillette prepared to offer £50,000.

At a second meeting with the GLC, Police and athletics authorities, Brasher was given the go-ahead with one provision from GLC leader, Sir Horace Cutler, who told him: “You never ask the ratepayers to bail you out.  Not a penny from the ratepayers”.

Charitable status was established and, together with John Disley, a running contemporary and business partner, Brasher devised six aims for the London Marathon:

1. To improve the overall standard and status of British marathon running by providing a fast course and strong international competition.

2. To show to mankind that, on occasions, the Family of Man can be united.

3. To raise money for the provision of recreational facilities in London.

4. To help London tourism.

5. To prove that when it comes to organising major events, “Britain is Best”.

6. To have fun and provide some happiness and sense of achievement in a troubled world.  

Five months later, the first event was held on March 29 1981.  Some 20,000 people wanted to run; 7,747 were accepted.  There were 6,255 finishers, led home by the American Dick Beardsley and Norwegian Inge Simonsen, who staged a spectacular and fitting dead-heat, and Joyce Smith who broke the British record to win the women’s race.

The event was a huge success with the runners, the thousands of spectators who lined the course and the millions of viewers who followed the race on BBC TV.

The result was that the 1982 race received more than 90,000 applications from hopeful runners from all over the world.

Since this time the event has continued to grow in size, stature and popularity.  Since the first race in 1981 445,129 people have completed the London Marathon.  In 2000 33,379 participants finished the Flora London Marathon (31,648 completing the main Race).

Another aspect of the London Marathon which has developed over the years is its success as a charity fundraising event.  It is estimated that around £134 million has been raised for numerous charities over the years.  The amount raised by runners grows significantly each year and the total raised in 2000 positions the race as the UK's top British one day charity fundraising event.  

In addition to the runner’s charity fundraising success the London Marathon has a charitable side of its own - The London Marathon Charitable Trust.  Each year the London Marathon covenants the surplus made as a result of the race (and other events organised by London Marathon Limited) to the Charitable Trust.  The Trust then awards grants to London’s Boroughs and individual projects to fund and part-fund sports and recreational facilities in London.