© Copyright – 2020 – Athletics Illustrated
As the global race schedule has been pretty much 100 per cent cancelled for 2020, participants of all levels were getting it done on October 4 on their own terms.
For the 40th edition of the London Marathon, an elite race took place in St. James Park, over a 2.18K loop. Meanwhile, would-be London runners took to the streets, trails, treadmills and just about anywhere to get in a virtual version. Over 36,000 completed the distance. Each of them received a London Marathon medial for doing so.
People from 109 countries made history in the world’s largest event of its kind.
Runners in the UK ran in a storm with high winds and heavy rain to complete their own socially distanced 26.2 miles (42.195K) in the allotted 24-hour time frame.
The incentive was to raise funds for various charities.
“First-time marathon runner Jasmine Barnett (29), and her husband, Ashley, were on holiday in Devon for their virtual Virgin Money London Marathon. She said: “We started just after midnight because we were too excited to sleep. This was not only my first marathon but also my first-ever running event… we took it very steady.” Jasmine was due to run the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon but was unable to take part after being diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia shortly before the race. Now cancer-free, she has been fundraising for the charity Leukaemia Care.”
