The UK’s spring sporting event – the “London Marathon” – lets you take in iconic landmarks along the route

▲ The “London Marathon” draws tens of thousands of participants every year!(Photo / fromthe London Marathon fan page , the same below)

Travel Centre / Comprehensive Report

As one of the UK’s major spring events, the 34th edition of the “London Marathon” has long been ranked among the world’s top six marathons. In recent years, over 30,000 participants have joined this sporting extravaganza, making it one of the most attended marathons globally.

Due to the large number of participants, the London Marathon sets up three starting points. Runners set off from Greenwich Park in the southeast, as well as from Blackheath and Woolwich, all heading toward the finish line at Buckingham Palace. Along the way, they pass through key financial hubs such as “Canary Wharf,” as well as famous sights including “Tower Bridge,” “St. Paul’s Cathedral,” “the Tower of London,” Western Europe’s tallest building “The Shard,” the “London Eye” Ferris wheel, and the “Houses of Parliament.” With every step, runners take in London’s most iconic landmarks.

▲ Some participants, simply there to take part, also dress up in various costumes, becoming one of the event’s eye-catching highlights.

Although completing a marathon is a lifelong dream for many, some are just happy to participate, often wearing elaborate outfits to attract attention. Last year’s London Marathon featured a variety of unique costumes, including giant penguins, London double-decker buses, Superman, and snails. These not only livened up the atmosphere but also became alternative crowd favorites.

In addition, the “London Marathon” is a major event for both locals and tourists. Every year, millions line the route to watch the race, with many families turning out to cheer on the runners. The BBC also provides live coverage, turning the event into a massive street party.

With growing global recognition, many charities have begun using the marathon as a fundraising platform. Since 1981, the London Marathon has raised over £600 million for charitable causes, setting a Guinness World Record for the highest annual charitable fundraising total. Moreover, as sponsors have changed over time, Virgin and financial firm Virgin Money signed a new five-year contract on April 22, 2013, renaming the event the “Virgin Money London Marathon.” This year’s race concluded in mid-April, with the 35th edition scheduled for April 26, 2015. (News source: Central News Agency)

%When running the “London Marathon,” you can also see many of London’s iconic sights along the way.%