THE 2001 FLORA LONDON MARATHON

The Flora London Marathon Race Profile

The many elements within the Flora London Marathon make its appeal universal - the races within the main race cater for the world’s fastest runners, Britain’s club runners, international runners of all abilities, wheelchair racers, running football enthusiasts, aspiring marathon runners and fun runners dedicated to charity fundraising.

The Elite Races - the Flora London Marathon has a world-wide reputation for putting together a highly competitive international field, both male and female. Each year the quality of the elite races ensures that London attracts big name athletes for the following year.

Close behind the elite athletes are many of Britain’s top club runners competing in the UK Athletics and Amateur Athletic Association of England Championships.

The Flora London Wheelchair Marathon - is a race organised by the Flora London Marathon in close collaboration with a Flora London Wheelchair Marathon committee and is open to disabled athletes. Some of the world’s best wheelchair athletes travel to London to compete.

The Mass Race - involves tens of thousands of people of mixed running abilities taking to the Capital’s streets to take up the Marathon Challenge.    The mass field is characterised by the array of fancy dress runners who place their emphasis on having fun and getting round the 26.2 miles rather than clocking a good time.  It is the fun runners who make the miles count for charity by collecting sponsorship in return for their efforts.  Their commitment has resulted in the Flora London Marathon becoming the number one annual charity fundraising event in Britain - £24 million was raised by runners in 2000.

The Flora London Marathon has a dedicated charity for the 2001 Race - The Multiple Sclerosis Society. The charity will benefit from the high profile provided by official status and from receiving a number of guaranteed entries for people to run on its behalf in order to help raise funds to support its work.

The adidas Mini London Marathon - is run over the last 2.65 miles of the Marathon course and involves age category races for children of 11-17.  This race has taken place since 1986 and involved representatives from 33 London  Boroughs.  Additionally, in 1998 teams from selected cities nationwide were introduced, thus involving young people from all over the UK. The event proved very popular and in 2001 with the introduction of a new sponsor - adidas - the regional teams will be invited from Counties based on their performances at the English Schools Cross Country Championships held in 2000. These county teams are: Bedfordshire, Cumbria, Durham, Greater Manchester, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Northumberland, West Midlands and West Yorkshire. In addition a Welsh and Scottish team will also be invited.

The adidas Mini London Marathon starts at the junction of Southwark Bridge and Upper Thames Street and finishes in The Mall. More than 2,000 children will take part.

Any person aged 11-17 who lives or goes to school in a London Borough is eligible to apply, although many of these Borough’s do hold trials.  All entry enquiries should be directed straight to the Borough representatives.

The adidas Mini London Wheelchair Marathon – sets off from Victoria Embankment and finishes in The Mall.  This race is open to youngsters between 11 – 17 years from London Boroughs as well as invited individuals from throughout the UK, who normally use a wheelchair for porting activities.

The Flora London Marathon Football Challenge  - will take place for the sixth year in 2001.  The race involves representatives from Britain’s major football clubs from the Premiership, Nationwide divisions and the Scottish Premiership.  Runners are all closely affiliated with their club and include club chairmen, club physios, ex-players and stalwart fans, each dressed in club strip competing against their rival clubs.  A trophy is presented to the first runner from each league to cross the line and for the first woman in the challenge to finish.

On Course Entertainment – on course entertainment is organised to entertain runners all the way along the Flora London Marathon course.  This will include around 55 pubs along the route, which will team up with charities to provide entertainment and refreshment for the crowds, as well as encouragement to the runners.  Schools and community groups will help to decorate the streets and add to the spirit of the occasion and bands and street entertainers will add their special touch.  All in all, a unique occasion and atmosphere will help keep the runners on the move, and also continue to make the Flora London Marathon the longest street party in the world.

Millions are involved in Race Day - without actually running. Crowds nearing 1/2 million line the course, 5 million tune in to watch the race live on BBC TV in the comfort of their homes, and millions see pictures from the race on TV in 143 other countries.   Others tune into their radios to listen to live commentary on the Race, both home and abroad. It is truly an international event for everybody.