Yesterday's London Marathon marked 100 years since the official distance of 26.2 miles was set, at the London 1908 Olympic Games.
London 2012 Organising Committee Chair Sebastian Coe and British Olympic Association Chairman Colin Moynihan officially started the race, which was won for the third time by Kenyan Martin Lel.
British athlete David Weir also won the wheelchair race for the third time, with Irina Mikitenko taking top spot in the women's race.
Over 35,000 runners took part in one of the largest ever London Marathons to date, raising over £4 million for charity.
The Princess Royal, an International Olympic Committee member and President of the BOA, joined to present medals at the end of the race.
When London first hosted the Games in 1908, the Marathon length was set as the distance between the distance from Windsor Castle to the Royal Box in the Olympic Stadium - 26.2 miles.
The heroic efforts of Italian Dorando Pietri were also remembered yesterday. In 1908 he was first to finish, staggering across the line after collapsing five times and with a little help from well-meaning officials. He was disqualified and his gold medal taken away from him, but was later presented with a special Gold Cup by Princess Alexandra, who had started the race.
Read more about London's Olympic heritage
British athlete David Weir also won the wheelchair race for the third time, with Irina Mikitenko taking top spot in the women's race.
Over 35,000 runners took part in one of the largest ever London Marathons to date, raising over £4 million for charity.
The Princess Royal, an International Olympic Committee member and President of the BOA, joined to present medals at the end of the race.
When London first hosted the Games in 1908, the Marathon length was set as the distance between the distance from Windsor Castle to the Royal Box in the Olympic Stadium - 26.2 miles.
The heroic efforts of Italian Dorando Pietri were also remembered yesterday. In 1908 he was first to finish, staggering across the line after collapsing five times and with a little help from well-meaning officials. He was disqualified and his gold medal taken away from him, but was later presented with a special Gold Cup by Princess Alexandra, who had started the race.
Read more about London's Olympic heritage
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