London Marathon gets underway with poignant tribute to the Queen as 40,000 runners hit the streets

The London Marathon has got underway with a poignant tribute to the Queen today as more than 40,000 runners hit the streets of the capital.

There was a moving rendition of the national anthem at the start line in Greenwich Park this morning, before 42,000 elite and amateur runners began the gruelling 26.2-mile course through London.

After the tribute the elite men and the mass group were set on their way by England Lionesses Leah Williamson, Ellen White and Jill Scott.

Smiles and grimaces will be common on the faces of those taking part today, cheered on by hundreds of thousands spectators who are lining the streets to show their support. 

Many of those taking part will be doing so for charity, often with moving personal stories behind why they are putting their bodies through the wringer having spent months, and sometimes years, preparing for the big event.

As competitors make their way past the crowds they will also see the iconic landmarks of the capital, including Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, the London Eye, Westminster and of course, Buckingham Palace on the home straight.

Equally iconic are the now-famous fancy dress costumes that some runners will don as they take part, with giant sunflowers, Minions and even Big Ben’s Elizabeth Tower all set to draw attention as they make their way around the course.

For those who do decide to wear something exotic, they will perhaps be a little relieved to find running conditions slightly cooler than normal for the event. Traditionally the race has taken place in April, but for the last couple of years it has been moved back to October due to the Covid pandemic. 

This will be the last time it is held in the autumn, and those taking part will see mainly overcast conditions, with some sunny spells towards the middle of the day and highs of 18C.

However, Britain’s Mo Farah will not be among these enjoying the perfect running conditions, as the hugely popular Olympian has been ruled out of the men’s elite race by a hip injury.

Runners arrive in Greenwich Park ahead of the start of the London Marathon today. Fancy dress, such as this man dressed as a sunflower, will be a common sight in the city today

This person will be running dressed as a Minion for the Stroke Association in today’s event. Around 42,000 people are expected to take part in the race

Before the men’s elite race and the mass start, there was a moving tribute to Queen Elizabeth II as a brass band played the national anthem

Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei and Japan’s Reia Iwade in action at the start of the women’s elite race at this morning’s London Marathon

London Marathon participant Simon Phillips will wear a Big Ben costume during the race in aid of Alzheimer’s Research UK in memory of his father, Robert, who died with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016

The route will take runners east out of Greenwich Park before turning west and into central London past iconic landmarks in the capital

Lionesses Jill Scott (left), Ellen White (centre) and Leah Williamson (right) pushed the klaxon to officially start the London Marathon this morning

This runner will take on the 26.2-mile course while dressed as a tree as he runs in support of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity

Those who make it into the capital will have done so despite a national rail strike which brought the network to a halt yesterday and impacted on services into the capital early this morning.

While wheelchair races and the women’s elite race were underway by 9am, the mass start and men’s elite group were held until 9.40am. 

Before they got underway a brass band played the national anthem in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who died at the age of 96 at Balmoral Castle last month.

Even with no Mo Farah, the field for the men’s elite race still includes six people who have run under two hours and four minutes. 

Long-distance legend Kenenisa Bekele is taking part and has the fastest time, although the Ethiopian has had injury troubles and will have a tough task to beat the favourite, Kenyan Amos Kipruto.

In the women’s race Yalemzerf Yehualaw from Ethiopia is the clear favourite after the withdrawal of world record holder Brigid Kosgei. However, last year’ winner Joyciline Jepkosgei will be keen to beat the odds and retain her crown.

The Met Office’s forecast for London predicts a cloudy start to the day, with the sun breaking through the clouds around midday, although it will become more overcast later into the afternoon and evening. The maximum temperature is set to be 18C in the mid-afternoon.

However, the organisation’s radar seems to suggest the possibility of some showers moving through London between 8am and 11am.

Wind speeds are forecast to reach six miles per hour from the north west, which shouldn’t be gusty enough to impact a participant’s pace.

On its website the Met Office says it will be a ‘cloudy morning with some outbreaks of rain, especially across southern areas’.

It added the conditions would see ‘rain gradually clearing into the afternoon, with most places becoming drier and brighter, with some sunny spells developing. A cool start, but temperatures should recover into the afternoon.’

The Met Office is predicting that most of the wet weather will be confined to the south of the country, with brighter conditions elsewhere.

Runners arrive for the London Marathon this morning. They will be among the 42,000 people set to take part in the 26.2-mile race today

British Olympian Mo Farah had been due to run the elite men’s race, but has been forced to pull out of the competition due to a hip injury

Pictured: A finish Area information sign is seen at Horse Guards Parade during the preparations for the 2022 London Marathon

Around 42,000 runners are set to take part in the event, which is one of the biggest in the capital’s calendar. Pictured: Participants walk thought Blackheath before the start of the marathon today

There are set to be highs of 18C this afternoon. Pictured: Runners rest their legs in Blackheath this morning ahead of today’s race

It said: ‘Outbreaks of rain will move eastwards across southern England and the far south of Wales this morning, clearing by afternoon. Most other parts dry with sunny spells, but breezy and showery for northern Scotland.’

There will be clear skies and light winds across the UK tonight, meaning it could feel chilly and fog patches could develop in some places. Cloud will roll in along with stronger winds in the far northwest later in the night.

And tomorrow will see most of the country remain dry and bright once fog patches clear, although the Met Office warns ‘a little light rain possible in the far south’.

It added there will be ‘heavy rain and gales developing across Northern Ireland and western Scotland.’