London marathon 2020 start time, route map and how to watch today
LONDON MARATHON runners will take part in a very different race this year, as organisers have altered the start time, route map and spectator rules in the face of COVID-19. Express.co.uk has compiled a full guide for the event today.
London Marathon: 2020 race changed to elite-athlete only event
London marathon competitors traditionally take to the streets of the UK capital city in a close-knit throng for hours on end. Thousands of spectators also take to the streets, making the race a potential breeding ground for COVID-19. As such, organisers have adapted a new-look event to reduce the risk of spreading infection.
What is the London Marathon 2020 start time?
Racers have already taken to the streets today, as the race started at 7.15am.
Due to the nature of the event, however, only the elite runners started straight away.
The three elite groups kick off at different times, however, starting with women and ending with wheelchair competitors, and each lasts roughly three hours.
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London Marathon 2020 runners take to the circuit at the following times:
- Elite women: 7:15am
- Elite men: 10:15am
- Elite wheelchair: 1:10pm
To avoid crowding, all the non-elite competitors will take part in a virtual race.
What is the London Marathon 2020 route?
Elite runners will weave their way through a closed-off St James' Park this year.
Each will complete 19.6 routes of a 1.34 mile route within the area, starting from the Mall and passing through Horse Guards Parade, onto Birdcage Walk and then back to the steps of Buckingham Palace.
Every non-elite runner will take part in a virtual race on ground closer to their home.
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Organisers have asked the wider population to carry out their own race due to logistics.
They initially toyed with holding a race with sophisticated contact-tracking technology, but this proved unworkable.
Instead, they have opted to trust runners with conducting the route themselves via an app.
Runners need only log in to the event app and cover 26.2 miles on foot within 24 hours, taking breaks if needed.
How to watch the London Marathon 2020 live
While organisers have stripped back this year's race, both BBC One and BBC Two will provide coverage this year.
But naturally, cameras will focus on the elite participants only, at the following times:
- Elite women: 7am to 10am, BBC Two
- Elite men: 10am to 1pm, BBC One
- Elite wheelchair: 1pm to 3pm, BBC Two
Those hoping to keep track of every other runner will have to do so via the event's in-house app.