The Original Marathon in London, UK, is being pitched as… ‘an opportunity to run in the footsteps of legends in London’s newest, oldest marathon.’
With two event dates – on March 16, 2024 and/or April 20, 2024 – the Original Marathon is celebrating London’s sporting history and heritage with the re-creation of the first ever 26.2 mile marathon.
The marathon retraces the route of the first-ever 26.2 mile marathon. The now global standard marathon distance of 26 miles, 385 yards was first set at the London 1908 Olympic Games.
Participation Sport, the event organiser behind the rebooting of the London event note that… ‘The 1908 race had an amazing story, which captivated the world and included: a distance influenced by royalty, an exhausted runner, a controversial disqualification and a special cup awarded by the Queen.’
Original Marathon enables participants to run in the footsteps of the 1908 marathon route. Meanwhile, in keeping with the ethos of the Original Marathon only 75 places will be available for the challenge.
In 1908 only 28 of the 75 competitors finished (the organisers are hoping for a better success rate in 2024). Original Marathon is not a race, and the event is not closed road. Runners will depart in paced groups, with a run/pace guide to follow.
The 75 runners will take on a route that includes running past an original waymarking sign in Eton (still on a wall from 115 years ago), past Wembley stadium and finishing at the location of the actual 1908 finish line, which has been preserved in White City, London.
Participants are encouraged to run for the event’s charity partner, Aspire, which is a national UK charity that provides practical help to people who have been paralysed by spinal cord injury.
“Aspire is delighted to be involved in such an exciting project,” said Brian Carlin, Chief Executive Officer at Aspire. “We are a charity that seeks out interesting endurance events and the Original Marathon is a unique and fascinating challenge to raise money for people paralysed by a spinal cord injury.
www.originalmarathon.com
www.participationsport.com
