Today, as more than 40,000 runners took to the streets of the city, the London Marathon began with a moving homage to the Queen.
This morning, the national anthem was performed movingly at the start line in Greenwich Park before 42,000 elite and amateur runners started the arduous 26.2-mile race through London.
Hundreds of thousands of fans are lining the streets to offer their support, cheering on those participating today with smiles and grimaces on their faces.
Many of those participating will be doing so for charity, often with inspiring personal motivations for why they are subjecting their bodies to extreme stress after spending months, and perhaps years, training for the major event.
The capital’s famous sights, such as Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, the London Eye, Westminster, and, of course, Buckingham Palace on the home straight, will be visible to racers as they go through the fans.
Giant sunflowers, Minions, and even Big Ben’s Elizabeth Tower are just a few of the now-famous fancy dress outfits that some runners will wear as they compete. These costumes are sure to catch notice as they navigate the route.
Those who do want to participate in the event in unusual attire may be a bit pleased to realize that the running conditions are a little cooler than usual.
In the last several years, the event has been shifted back to October from its customary April date because of the COVID-19 epidemic.
This will be the last fall event, and participants can expect mostly cloudy skies with a few sunny breaks in the middle of the day and highs of 18C.
British Olympian Mo Farah, who is very well-liked, will not, however, be among those taking advantage of the ideal running conditions due to a hip problem.
Despite a nationwide rail strike that shut down the network yesterday and had an effect on early this morning’s trains into the capital, those who make it their will have done so.
The elite women’s race and wheelchair races started at 9 a.m., but the mass start and men’s elite group didn’t start until 9.40 a.m.
A brass band performed the national song before they began as an homage to Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away at Balmoral Castle last month at the age of 96.
Leah Williamson, Ellen White, and Jill Scott, the England Lionesses, led the throng of people and the top men in their departure after the poignant homage.
According to the Met Office’s prediction for London, the day will begin gloomy but clear up around noon before becoming more overcast later in the day and into the evening. The mid-afternoon maximum temperature is fixed at 18C.
The organization’s radar, however, seems to indicate that there may be some showers passing over London between 8am and 11am.
The expected wind speed from the north-west will be six miles per hour, which shouldn’t be too windy to affect a participant’s pace.
The Met Office predicts a “cloudy morning with possible bursts of rain, particularly over southern parts” on its website.
According to the circumstances, “rain will gradually clear during the afternoon, most locations will become drier and brighter, and some sunny spells will appear,” it was stated. A cold morning, but afternoon temperatures could increase.
The majority of the country’s rainy weather, according to the Met Office’s forecast, will be restricted to the south, while conditions elsewhere will be sunnier.
‘Outbreaks of rain will move eastward this morning throughout southern England and the far south of Wales, clearing by afternoon,’ the forecast said. Most other areas are dry with sunny periods, although northern Scotland is windy and showery.
The UK will see clear sky and mild breezes tonight, which might make it feel cool and cause fog patches to form in some areas. Later that night, clouds and heavier winds will move in from the far northwest.
When the fog patches dissipate tomorrow, the most of the nation will continue to be dry and sunny, while the Met Office issues a warning that “a little light rain possible in the extreme south.”
Additionally, “severe rain and gales forming throughout Northern Ireland and western Scotland,” the statement said.