On 29 March 1981, just over 7,000 – mostly male – runners set off on the 26.2-mile route from Greenwich Park to Constitution Hill. See how the Guardian reported events ...
Christopher Brasher, director of the first London Marathon, describes the planning behind the 1981 event ...
In March 1981 the very first London Marathon was held, with just over 7,000 running the race. Today over 40,000 take part, making it one of the biggest and much loved events in the sporting calendar.
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