London Marathon 2015

More than 38,000 people have taken part in the London Marathon last Sunday. Since the first time that it took place, on 29 March 1981, around £716 million have been collected.

From Greenwich to Buckingham Palace, the runners went over 26.2 mile (42.2km). This event was instituted to commemorate the Greek soldier Pheidippides who, in 490 BC, run 25 miles (40 km) from the battlefield near Marathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory over Persia. In the present, this would be the same distance as the length of the Victoria line, twice.

And this year runners not only participated in the race to raise money. Some of them also made of it the most important day of their lifes.

London Marathon

Photo: The Telegraph / GETTY IMAGES

The Polytechnic Marathon, also known as Poly, was the oldest regular marathon in Europe. It was held in London from 1909 to 1996.  

Inspired by the New York Marathon, the Olympic champion Chris Brasher and the athlete John Disley founded the current London Marathon. Its first edition was celebrated on 29th of March, 1981.

Nowadays it's not just a sport event. The Virgin London Marathon is one of the World Marathon Majors. Giving back, in 2012 it was the largest marathon with 37,227 runners finishing the race and more than 900,000 people have completed it since it was organized for the first time. But it's not only sport and fun because this competition has raised more than £500m for charity so far.