Press Release - London Marathon - 9/22/22

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

           England's Lionesses to start 2022 TCS London Marathon    

       European champions Leah Williamson, Ellen White and Jill Scott 
                    will officially start the 2022 event             

Three Lionesses from England's all conquering 2022 European 
Championship-winning squad will be the official starters of the 2022 TCS 
London Marathon on Sunday 2 October.

Captain Leah Williamson will be joined by England's record goal scorer 
Ellen White and Jill Scott, the second most capped player in English 
football history, who also holds a place in the London Marathon record 
books.

Williamson said: "It is a fantastic honour for the Lionesses to be asked to 
be the official starters for the 2022 TCS London Marathon. We had a 
once-in-a lifetime experience winning the Euros this summer with incredible 
support and I'm sure everyone taking part in this year's TCS London 
Marathon will also have a day they will never forget."

Before her decorated professional football career, Scott was a talented 
runner and won the under-15 girls race in the 2001 Mini London Marathon, an 
event that has also been won by the likes of Sir Mo Farah and David Weir.

For the first time in the event's history, this year's TCS Mini London 
Marathon will be held on Saturday 1 October, the day before the TCS London 
Marathon, as part of a landmark move to get more children to take part and 
to inspire activity.

Scott said: "This will bring back some special memories for me too. I won 
the Mini Marathon back in 2001 before I decided to focus on my football and 
crossing the line first on The Mall was an amazing feeling. Part of the joy 
of our success this summer was hearing how it inspired young people to get 
out and play football or any sport and the Mini London Marathon has exactly 
the same power."

England won the 2022 European Championship by beating Germany 2-1 in the 
final at Wembley. It was the first time since 1966 that an England football 
team had won a major championship.

Following the win, Scott officially announced her retirement from 
professional football after an 18-year career that saw her win 161 England 
caps, scoring 27 goals. White also retired at the same time, leaving the 
game as the England women's team all-time record goalscorer with 52 goals. 
She played in three World Cups and represented Great Britain at two Olympic 
Games.

Captain Williamson has won 37 international caps and has also represented 
Great Britain at the 2020 Olympic Games. She is also the captain of Arsenal 
FC.

Williamson, White and Scott will be the official starters of the wheelchair 
races, the elite women's race and the elite men and masses at the 2022 TCS 
London Marathon on Sunday 2 October.

Previous starters include Her Majesty The Queen, the Duke and Duchess of 
Cambridge with Prince Harry, Sir Andy Murray, Sir Steve Redgrave and double 
Olympic champions Helen Glover and Heather Stanning.

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