The 45th edition of the event will occur on the streets of the British capital next month
The TCS London Marathon has unveiled its World Athletics Heritage Plaque, exactly a month before the 45th edition of the event (March 27).
The plaque, which was presented at the organisation’s headquarters in central London, was awarded to the London Marathon for “its outstanding contribution to the sport of athletics”.
The World Athletics Heritage Plaque is a location-based recognition and is given for “an outstanding contribution to the worldwide history and development of the sport of track and field athletics and of out-of-stadia athletics disciplines such as cross country, mountain, road, trail and ultra-running, and race walking”.
The London Marathon was co-founded by Chris Brasher, who won 3000m steeplechase gold at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and helped pace Sir Roger Bannister to the first sub-four-minute mile and John Disley, who secured 3000m steeplechase bronze in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and later played a key role in the development of the course measurement.
Dick Beardsley and Inge Simonsen (Getty)
They were inspired to create the London Marathon following a visit to the New York City Marathon in 1979. More than four decades on, their founding aims, which included “to have fun and provide some happiness and sense of achievement in a troubled world”, are still at the forefront of the event.
The first London Marathon back in 1981 had fewer than 7000 finishers and this year it’s expected that more than 56,000 people will cross the iconic finish line on The Mall, which would be a new world record (New York holds the current mark with 55,646).
“If you think what the London Marathon has achieved over its 45 years, it’s changed the face of running,” said Nick Bitel, London Marathon Group CEO, who unveiled the plaque. “Back in 1981 it was somewhat unusual to see people running for pleasure and it was all about excellence and times. Now, through events like the London Marathon, running for your health and enjoyment is important.
“The London Marathon has always been really rooted in the communities that host it.”
Hear from London Marathon Group CEO Nick Bitel on the 45th edition of the event this April
Yesterday, the London Marathon unveiled their World Athletics Heritage Plaque, awarded for “its… pic.twitter.com/4nntk6PbI5
— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) March 28, 2025
“It’s not impossible [one million people could apply for the 2026 London Marathon]. We certainly didn’t expect 840,000 people to apply for this year’s event! That was up from 560,000 last year. It just shows how narrative driven the London Marathon is and the ability for stories to make a difference.
“Yes of course, we have fantastic athletes who have raced at the London Marathon, but ordinary runners tend to also have extraordinary stories. Some of the most watched clips from last year’s edition weren’t from the elite athletes but from those with an incredible journey that resonates with the general public. It’s about inspiring activity and thinking that this is for anyone.”
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