Six runners, known as the 'Ever Presents', have completed every London Marathon since the race was first launched in March 1981. The six runners have a combined age of 465, according to multiple reports. The 'Ever Presents' club was formed in 1996 after their 15th consecutive race, originally with 42 members. The London Marathon guaranteed them a place every year, but only six remain due to ill-health and injury. The six include Mac Speake (84), Bill O'Connor (80), David Walker (80), Jeff Aston (78), Mike Peace (76), and Chris Finill (67). According to Daily Mirror - UK News, Chris Finill described how in the early days, when marathon running was not very fashionable, people thought they were bonkers, but now it has become a bucket list ambition. The 1981 London Marathon attracted 7,000 runners, with only 300 women taking part; today, 49% of runners are women.
The 2025 London Marathon is expected to see around 57,000 finishers, according to multiple reports. All four defending champions are returning for the elite races: Sabastian Sawe, Tigst Assefa, Marcel Hug, and Catherine Debrunner. Sir Mo Farah and Ellie Kildunne have the honour of officially starting the event. The course begins at Greenwich Park and ends on The Mall, with a total elevation gain of 246 feet. Last year, Tigst Assefa ran a world record for a women-only field in 2:15:50, and Sabastian Sawe won the men's race in 2:02:27. The official cut-off time to complete the course is eight hours after the last runner starts at 11:30, and The Mall closes at 19:30, when the finish line moves to St James's Park.
In the early days, when marathon running wasn’t very fashionable, people thought you were bonkers and couldn’t understand why you would want to run 26 miles. But nowadays it's become such a bucket list ambition that people really understand why you want to do the 46th and 47th and keep going to the 50th.
David Walker, one of the 'Ever Presents', is nursing a suspected fractured rib and will run the 2025 marathon virtually from home. According to Daily Mirror - UK News, David Walker described how last year he had recurring calf and hamstring strain so made the decision to run from home, and was a bit wobbly at the end. The oldest athlete in the 2025 London Marathon is 88-year-old Harry Newton. According to The Guardian - Main UK, Harry Newton described how he started running at age 57 after a talk from a Mars confectionery representative about raising funds for charity. He has completed 31 marathons, including 21 at London, and his personal best at London is 3:52:30, set when he was 70. During lockdown, he ran a marathon by jogging 461 times around his garden. According to The Guardian - Main UK, Harry Newton described how his wife tells him he is daft but has been a terrific supporter. He also described how a doctor warned him his knee might not stand up to a marathon, but he had sponsorship riding on it so gave it a go. His first marathon was slow, taking five hours and 10 minutes by running and walking, and he hurt all over for about a month afterwards.
There is speculation that the London Marathon will become a two-day event in 2027. Organisers are discussing holding a two-day event, according to multiple reports. Event director Hugh Brasher says a two-day event could allow 100,000 finishers and raise over £130m for charity. However, it remains unclear whether the marathon will officially become a two-day event.
Last year I had recurring calf and hamstring strain so made the decision to run from home. I was a bit wobbly at the end and needed my walking poles so they will be t
The weather forecast for the 2025 London Marathon is mostly sunny with highs up to 19°C, according to multiple reports. The UV level is moderate, and sunscreen is advised. Wind is forecast to blow east to west, the direction of the majority of the course. Oak pollen levels are expected to be high on Sunday, which may affect runners with allergies. The exact number of finishers for the 2025 London Marathon is not yet known, and it is unclear how many of the six 'Ever Presents' will actually finish this year.
Don’t try to run too quickly, and keep a steady pace. And make sure your bowels are empty.
She always tells me I’m daft, and she wishes I wasn’t doing it, but she’s been a terrific supporter.
There was a chap from Mars confectionery who spoke to us about the London Marathon. He said if anybody would like to raise some funds for the Grocers’ charity, I might be able to get you an entry form.
When you’re on the farm, you tend to live the life of a farmer. And similarly as a grocer, you also work long hours. So I wasn’t a runner at all before that.
He said to me 'although it’s not unusual for a man of your age, there is some wear and tear in that knee, and I do not see it standing up to any marathon'. But I had a couple of thousands of pounds sponsorship riding on it, so I thought I would give it a go.
That first one was slow, but I got round in five hours and 10 minutes by running and walking. Although I hurt all over for about a month afterwards.
That was when we weren’t allowed to go out much. So I thought the answer was to run around the garden. I strode it out to about 110 yards. And I just kept going round in circles until my watch told me I’d done enough. I think it was 461 times.