FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The 40th Race makes history as more than 36,000 participants finish
The 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon will live long in the memory as a
race that united elite athletes, everyday heroes and millions of supporters
around the world in a celebration of running, fundraising and inspiring
community spirit.
The 40th Race in the London Marathon's vibrant history epitomised the
spirit of the million-plus extraordinary finishers over the years, and the
friends and families who have supported them through training and at the
race itself.
Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the Virgin Money London Marathon, said: "We
are delighted and incredibly proud to have held this event during a
worldwide pandemic. We have inspired tens of thousands of people around the
world to take part in their own challenge, their own 26.2 miles, and to do
it their way.
"The spirit of the London Marathon is about bringing people together. We
couldn't get them together in reality, but we have brought them together as
a community.
"The individual stories and achievements have been incredible, and we
believe The 40th Race will live long in the memory. It truly has been a
beacon of light in the darkness."
While the elite races were taking place on a closed-loop biosecure course
in St James's Park, runners across the UK and round the world took part in
the virtual Virgin Money London Marathon – many with the aim of raising
much-needed funds for their chosen charities.
To date, more than 36,000 runners have logged their completion time making
the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon the biggest virtual marathon in
history and runners have until Sunday 11 October to complete the process.
It was a day of so many highlights, from Shura Kitata taking Eliud
Kipchoge's crown in the elite men's race, to participants up and down the
UK braving Storm Alex, to thousands taking the London Marathon to their
communities in countries from Chile to China and Singapore to Sweden.
One of the charity fundraisers was first-time marathon runner Jasmine
Barnett, who completed her virtual 26.2 miles with her husband Ashley while
on holiday in Devon. "This was not only my first marathon but also my
first-ever running event… we took it very steady," she said.
Jasmine was due to run the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon, but was
unable to take part after being diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia
shortly before the race. Now cancer-free, she has been fundraising for the
charity Leukaemia Care.
"We started just after midnight because we were too excited to sleep!" said
Jasmine.
Brigid Kosgei, who defended her title in the elite women's race, captured
this sense of excitement and hope for the future when she was asked to sum
up her feelings about the event:
"Everyone in the world was looking to see how this would go. Yesterday
everyone was a winner.
"Let's hope next year we will be running together again and the pandemic
will be over."
The ballot for the 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon is now open and will
remain open until 17:00 BST on Friday 9 October to give everyone who wants
to enter the chance to do so. For more details of the ballot process, visit
virginmoneylondonmarathon.com. The 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon will
take place on Sunday 3 October 2021. We hope to see you there!
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