Remote racing and virtual cheers: London Marathon 2020 can be run anywhere in the world
London Marathon runners will receive medals if they complete the race remotely this year, organisers confirmed as they launched an app that will mimic cheering from spectators.
This year's marathon can be completed anywhere in the world. Its 45,000 registered participants can complete the 26.2 miles over any course of their choice, while elite runners will compete at an event around St James's Park in the capital.
Numbers will still be worn, a specially downloadable app will be created to provide race music and support, and runners from every continent will be given from 00.00am to 23.59pm on Sunday, October 4 to complete the distance.
Finishers will still receive a coveted medal and T-shirt, and all entrants will be offered the option of taking part on the normal London course in 2021, 2022 or 2023.
Entries for this year will also be reopened later this month by however many people chose not to run virtually, meaning the 45,000 capacity is still reached and charitable fundraising – which topped £66 million in 2019 – is maximised.
Hugh Brasher, the race director, called it a day of "sadness and certainty" but said the changes would provide an unprecedented accessibility to an event that attracted 450,000 entries this year.
"People can do it in a uniquely personal way," he said. "Yes, the experience will be different, but actually we really hope that it will be even more memorable, even more enduring and it will be the most inclusive London Marathon in history."
Around 750,000 supporters usually line the London Marathon route and, although Covid-secure plans for runners to socially distance over staggered starts had been created, the sheer number of associated people made holding a mass race impossible.
A new technology, using bluetooth and ultra wideband ranging, would have even allowed organisers to monitor every participant's distance from each other and trace any contacts if there were positive Covid-19 tests over the subsequent two weeks.
"The biggest challenges were not those involving participants but the multiple issues of managing spectators, ensuring the emergency services had access across London, the increased likelihood of a second spike that has led to the recent cancellation of spectator trials at major events and the ongoing concern about the pressure even a reduced size mass participation marathon might put on the NHS," said Mr Brasher.
The elite-only race will be staged without fans on a secure loop around St James’ Park that is just over two kilometres long, meaning the runners will have to complete 19.8 circuits before leaving for the usual finish up The Mall.
Eliud Kipchoge and Brigid Kosgei, the respective men's and women's world record holders, have been confirmed for the elite races as well as David Weir, who has won the wheelchair race eight times.
