London Marathon 2021

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    London Marathon hopeful Charlotte Purdue stopped running late at night in training after Sarah Everard tragedy

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    CHARLOTTE PURDUE refused to go running late at night or through empty parks in training for Sunday’s London Marathon.The safety of women on our streets has become a major talking point following the abduction and murder of Sarah Everard in March.
    Charlotte Purdue refused to train late at night after Sarah Everard’s murderCredit: PA
    Everard, 33, was kidnapped, raped and killed by policeman Wayne Couzens in MarchCredit: Reuters
    Everard, 33, was walking home alone at night when she was kidnapped, raped and killed by policeman Wayne Couzens.
    The serving Met Police officer was this week sentenced to life in prison for his hideous crimes.
    In recent days many women have revealed online their own near-escapes and encounters with dangerous men at night time.
    Purdue, Britain’s fourth fastest woman of all time over 26.2 miles, said: “I’ve been thinking of the Sarah Everard case a lot the last few days.
    “I personally only really run in well-populated places and in the day — not late at night or through empty parks.
    “I hadn’t thought about it much before this whole situation but I definitely have to a lot more now.
    “I run on the treadmill now when it’s dark and in winter because it’s a lot safer. In the day I do feel safe running outside by myself.

    “I’d say more streetlights, and CCTV cameras, stuff like that would help. People have to make their own decision on if they feel safe or where they run.”
    Purdue aims to use the 41st London Marathon — rescheduled from April — to show Team GB selectors were wrong to crush her Olympics dream.
    The 30-year-old ran her PB of 2:25:38 at the 2019 London Marathon but was snubbed for Tokyo — with Brits Stephanie Davis, Jess Piasecki and Steph Twell all flopping in Sapporo.
    It proved a very stressful time for Purdue, who was naturally left ‘gutted’, and she attempted in vain to appeal the decision.
    The Aldershot ace claims there were untruths told about her training and physical condition in the selection meeting, which she was keen to rectify on the record.
    And now seven months on, she feels let down by the lack of communication from UK Athletics about why she was ignored.
    ‘TOOK TIME TO GET OVER IT’
    Purdue said: “It has taken some time to get over what happened.
    “I was advised by the British Athletes Commission and they set me up with some legal advice.
    “When my appeal was unsuccessful, they advised me to write an open letter to UK Athletics boss Jo Coates about the whole situation.
    “I did receive a reply from her in March, a letter basically saying she acknowledged my points but I have had no communication since then.
    “The Olympics is such a big thing and I felt I did deserve a spot in the team. I feel like I could have run well in Tokyo.
    “I definitely haven’t forgotten about it but I just want to move on now and focus on Sunday.
    “The point to prove is more to myself that I’m back to my best rather than me proving anything to someone else.
    “It’s definitely tainted my desire. I’d obviously love to represent GB again but I definitely won’t forget about this whole year and situation.” More

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      London Marathon chaos over fuel crisis with fears runners could struggle to get there along with public transport plea

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      LONDON MARATHON runners have been told to take public transport this weekend due to the nationwide petrol crisis.On Sunday more than 40,000 people will take part in the first full marathon held since the start of the Covid pandemic.
      London Marathon runners have been advised to use public transportCredit: AFP
      Athletics chiefs are confident the 41st staging of the event – which is staged between Greenwich and Westminster – will not be impacted by millions of panic-stricken drivers heading to the fuel pumps to fill up their cars.
      Dozens of vehicles are used during the day of the London Marathon, including transporting elite runners to the start line and cameraman-carrying motorbikes that film the race for BBC TV.
      Yet while most people usually use trains on the day, race director Hugh Brasher has urged everyone involved to leave their cars at home.
      Brasher said: “So we believe that the vast majority of people get to our event using the train system. We do not have concerns at the moment.
      “We encourage and always have done for runners to be sustainable in how they travel.
      “People do have time at the moment to plan this and that people will be getting to the start on the trains.
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      “We’ve been working with Southeastern trains and the DLR to increase numbers of trains to get people to the ExCeL beforehand.
      “We actively encourage people to use the transport system to get to the start.
      “The three stations are Greenwich, Maze Hill and Blackheath, and also the DLR.
      “Those services have been the best way for people to get to the event in its history and will remain that way.
      London Marathon runners have been told to take measures due to the fuel crisisCredit: Getty
      “[The fuel crisis] was one of the things we discussed this morning in our calls but we believe we’re in a good place.”
      More than 40,000 runners will take to the streets of London and about 40,000 will cover 26.2 miles remotely on their own course, making it the biggest marathon race in history.
      Everyone will be expected to provide a lateral flow test before competing and London Marathon bosses reckon “about 96.5% of runners have been double vaccinated”.
      Though the 2022 race has already been pushed back to October – to ease any potential burden on the NHS after the winter period – the London Marathon is set to return to its original slot of April in 2023. More

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      BBC face losing London Marathon TV coverage after 40 YEARS as race director holds talks with rival channels

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      THE BBC could lose the rights to broadcast the London Marathon after four decades of coverage.New contract terms have yet to be agreed for next year between marathon bosses and the TV channel, who have televised the event live since its inception in 1981.
      London Marathon race director Hugh Brasher is in talks over a new TV dealCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The existing deal was signed in 2018 but will expire after Sunday’s race along the streets of London.
      It comes after the corporation chose not to extend its £3million deal with UK Athletics for live track-and-field events.
      The BBC was also outbid by Channel 4 this month for shared coverage with Amazon Prime for the final of the US Open which saw qualifier Emma Raducanu crowned a major champion.
      Race director Hugh Brasher expects a decision to be made by the end of this year and he said: “This is one of the crown jewels of British sport.
      “There is the FA Cup, there is the Grand National, the Boat Race, Wimbledon tennis, and the London Marathon.
      “All the other events have been around for over 150 years. The London Marathon is 40 years.

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      “It’s incredible what we’ve become in that time, and we do not take that in any way lightly.
      “It is fair to say we are talking to other terrestrial broadcasters. It is likely an announcement will be made this year.
      “What has been proven is that it inspires people because it’s accessible to everybody. And the more that people can see that – that is why it is so important this event is seen on terrestrial TV.
      “We’ve had the most amazing partnership with the BBC. In 2020 the London Marathon was up for a BAFTA, eight-and-a-half hours of coverage from around the world.
      “We want that incredible coverage to continue. And it will continue. We have a duty as an organiser to make sure it does.”
      More than 40,000 runners will take to the streets of London and about 40,000 will cover 26.2miles remotely on their own course, making it the biggest marathon race in history.
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      Is the London Marathon going ahead in 2021?

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      THE London Marathon ballot is open and the event is planned to take place with a mighty 50,000 people on the streets of London.
      There is more than one way of getting involved in pounding the tarmac this year, but stay wary of how the Coronavirus crisis continues to unfold.

      Photos of the famous London Marathon finish along the Mall are hoped for in the autumnCredit: Reuters

      Runners love getting into fancy dress and running for hours on end for charitable causesCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Is the London Marathon going ahead in 2021?

      Yes, organisers are planning to have a 50,000-person London Marathon this year, despite the Coronavirus pandemic.
      They are planning for enough people to be vaccinated in time for the event to take place safely.
      Also 50,000 people are going to be able to apply for the virtual marathon.
      When is the London Marathon?
      The event is set to take place on Sunday, October 3.
      What is the Virtual London Marathon?
      The virtual event allows people to earn the same medal and t-shirt by completing 26.2 miles on October 3 on a route of their choice within the 24-hour window.

      Unsuccessful ballot applicants have a priority eight-day window to book a place in the virtual marathon with any remaining places made available to the general public from Tuesday February 16 on a first-come, first-served basis. More

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      London Marathon places revealed ahead of ‘biggest ever’ race with runners to find out if they’ll compete on Oct 3

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      THOUSANDS of London Marathon 2021 hopefuls will find out whether they have gained entry to this year’s race today.
      As many as 50,000 runners are expected to secure entry into the biggest 26.2 mile race in history on October 3.

      The 2021 London Marathon is set to welcome a record number of runners to the capitalCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠! 😉Some helpful instructions ahead of the 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon ballot results dropping on Monday…#LondonMarathon pic.twitter.com/3n3x7JsR9X
      — Virgin Money London Marathon (@LondonMarathon) February 5, 2021

      Those who have taken part in the ballot will learn their fate online for the first time as oppose to the usual method via post.
      There will also be 50,000 additional places available for the virtual marathon which will take place on the same day.
      The virtual marathon will give runners the opportunity to claim the same medal and t-shirt as those on the actual course by running 26.2 miles within a 24-hour time frame.
      The 2020 London Marathon was moved from April to October and only elite participants were able to take part due to the coronavirus pandemic.

      The impact of the pandemic has also meant this year’s London Marathon is key in raising money for struggling charities.
      Macmillan Cancer Support has been chosen as the event’s charity of the year and Claire Rowney, the charity’s executive director for fundraising, stressed the importance of the event.
      She told The Daily Echo: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on our income, at a time when people living with cancer need our support more than ever to help navigate through this anxious period.
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      “The vital funds raised through runners and supporters of this year’s event will help us continue to do whatever it takes to be there for everyone living with cancer.”
      Event director Hugh Brasher added: “We know there will be many people celebrating today but we also know there will be many more who, unfortunately, were unsuccessful in the ballot.
      “Unsuccessful runners can sign up to run for a charity or for our virtual Virgin Money London Marathon, which promises to be another amazing day in our history.”

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