The London Marathon route can be very crowded for spectators. Over 500,000 people turn out to watch this annual race as it winds its way through London.

Part serious athletic competition, part club and fun run, the London Marathon has the distinction of being the most successful in terms of raising money for charity. In fact, the London Marathon is now the largest annual fund-raising event in the world, bringing in millions of pounds each year for their official charity, Oxfam. The London Marathon's current sponsor is Virgin Money.

Journalist and former Olympic athlete Chris Brasher and Welsh athlete John Disley are credited with getting the London Marathon off the ground in 1979. After taking part in the New York Marathon, Brasher wondered if such a festival could be put on in London. The answer was of course, yes, and in 1981 the first London Marathon was held.

Over 20,000 people applied that first year, and only 6,747 were accepted. Since then, the field has grown to over 36,000 competitors per year, and nearly a million people have run in the London Marathon over the years.

There is a small group of about 20 men called the "Ever Presents" who have run in every marathon since 1981.

The London Marathon is a standard marathon length of 42.195 kilometres or 26 miles, 385 yards. It is a largely flat race course and thus conducive to fierce competition, fast times and unpredictable finishes.

For spectators, the parks where the runners start are off limits, so your best bet for watching the start of the race is to go to Mile 1 and walk back towards the starting area.

There are several good areas to see the runners along the route. The first is at Mile 11 at Bermondsey, Mile 18 at Canary Wharf, Mile 25 at the Embankment and finally Mile 26.2 which is the finish area at The Mall.

The London Marathon route makes it easy and fun to see history in the making.

If you've got any queries and would like to speak to the Virgin London Marathon organisers, please call their helpline on 020 7902 0200

Photo courtesy: Julian Mason

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