Press Release - Boston Marathon - 4/16/18

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                  Winners of first London Marathon named as 
                        Spirit of London award winners

16/04/2018

The three iconic winners of the first London Marathon in 1981 have been 
named as the latest Spirit of London award winners.

Dick Beardsley (USA) and Inge Simonsen (Norway) were famously the joint 
winners of the inaugural men's race at the London Marathon when they 
crossed the line holding hands after neither was unable to shake off the 
other over the previous 26 miles of the race.

Joyce Smith was the first British winner of the London Marathon when she 
won the women's race in 1981, aged 43. She returned the following year to 
win for a second successive time, aged 44 years and 195 days. She remains 
the oldest woman to win the race.

The 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon will celebrate the unique spirit of 
the world's greatest marathon, showcasing the extraordinary stories of its 
runners, champions, volunteers and supporters through the Spirit of London 
campaign.

On Race Day last year, millions of people around the world were moved by 
the sight of Swansea Harrier Matthew Rees helping David Wyeth down The Mall 
to the Finish Line. That moment encapsulated the unique spirit of the 
London Marathon and inspired our theme for 2018.

Up to 26 people will be presented with the special commemorative coin at an 
awards ceremony in May.

The coin shows Dick Beardsley (USA) and Inge Simonsen (NOR), the joint 
winners of the first London Marathon who crossed the Finish Line hand in 
hand. The coin is engraved with one of the London Marathon's founding 
pillars, created by Chris Brasher and John Disley: To have fun and provide 
some happiness and a sense of achievement in a troubled world. The reverse 
of the coin shows the trophy awarded to Dorando Pietri after the 1908 
Olympic Marathon.

Visit our Spirit of London page for a full list of award winners so far.

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