London Marathon: Virtual marathon, new route and prize money
THIS weekend a 100 athletes will take to the streets of London for the 40th annual Marathon.
Thousands of people will also be taking part in an online virtual race.
This year's race, usually takes place on Sunday April 26, will be the first ever autumn marathon.
Due to coronavirus, runners will be living in a 'biosecure bubble' in the lead up and wearing social distancing technology.
When is the London marathon?
The 2020 London marathon will take place on Sunday October 4.
Timings for the day are as follows:
- 07:15 – Elite Women's Race
- 10:15 – Elite Men's Race
- 13:10 – Wheelchair races
- 00:00-23:59 - Virtual mass participation race
What is this year's route?
The three elite races will take place on an enclosed looped course in St James’s Park in a secure biosphere.
The race will start on Horse Guards Road, and athletes will run 19 laps in total to reach the required marathon distance before finishing on the Mall.
For non-elite runners, the marathon distance can be covered where ever during the 24 hour period.
How will the virtual marathon work?
Any amateur runners participating in the virtual marathon will have 23 hours 59 minutes and 59 seconds (from 00:00 to 23:59:59 BST) to complete the 26.2 miles.
They can choose to run, jog or walk the event.
Using the London Marathon app, they will be able to log their 26.2 miles and complete the marathon.
Is Mo Farah running?
The British Olympic star Farah IS running - but as a pacemaker for sub 2-hour man Eliud Kipchoge, who will be wearing his controversial Nike shoes.
Four-time Olympic champion Farah will not finish though.
Kenenisa Bekele was also supposed to run, but the Ethiopian, 38, has withdrawn at the last minute.
What is the year's prize money?
This year's prize money will be cut in half due to the financial impact of Covid-19.
Last year organisers awarded £242,000 in prize money to elite athletes, with another £656,000 up for grabs in time bonuses.
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Despite the prize fund being cut in half, for the first time there will be a separate prize pool for the best performing British athletes.
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Speaking on the prize reduction, London Marathon’s head of elite athletes Spencer Barden said: "It wasn’t an easy decision, but what we’ve done this year is reduce the price structure for the international runners by almost 50% from previous years.
"However, we’ve also created a British-only place price structure this year, so the top three British athletes will have a prizes solely for them."