Running the
London Marathon may require a little more energy than you're prepared to expend on a Sunday morning, so how about going along to watch instead? Enjoy the carnival atmosphere, cheer on the participants and see central London without traffic. How refreshing!
Besides the competitive runners, there'll be lots of fun runners too - you know the type: dressed up as Darth Vader or running in only a pair of large Y-fronts and flip-flops.
Charities benefit enormously from the run - last year the marathon raised nearly £50m for a wide range of good causes, and this year organisers are hoping to do even better.
Every year the marathon has its fair share of inspiring and courageous stories. Major
Phil Packer, for example, was serving with the Royal Military Police in Iraq when he sustained terrible injuries in 2008. Doctors said he would never walk again. Last year he did the London Marathon on crutches and finished in 13 days. This year he hopes to finish in just 26 hours, raising money for 26 charities in the process. The wheelchair marathon is also a part of the big day, open to elite disable athletes.
Plenty of celebrities will also be having a go - last year saw, among others, Gordon Ramsay, Katie Price and cyclist Chris Boardman donning their running shoes (yes, Chris was running, not cycling).
See the official website for information on the
route so you can choose the best spots to watch it from before you go.
The run starts at 9am in Greenwich Park and finishes close to Buckingham Palace.
