London will be celebrating its rich sporting history and heritage with the launch of the “Original Marathon” – a recreation of the iconic first-ever 26.2 mile marathon from the London 1908 Olympic Games. The event will take place on either Saturday 16 March or Saturday 20 April 2024, and will allow runners to experience the legacy of marathon running and connect with the pioneering athletes of over a century ago.
75 places are available for the challenge, with participants running the exact route of the 1908 race, past the original waymarking sign in Eton (still on a wall from 115 years ago) and the actual finish line location. Along the way, runners will also be able to immerse themselves in the rich sporting history and heritage of London.
Brian Carlin, Chief Executive Officer of charity partner Aspire said: “Aspire is delighted to be involved in such an exciting project. We are a charity that seeks out interesting endurance events and the Original Marathon is a unique and fascinating challenge to raise money for people paralysed by a spinal cord injury.”
Original Marathon is not a race, and the event is not closed road. Runners will depart in paced groups, with a run/pace guide to follow, and will be awarded a recreation of the 1908 medal when they cross the finish line.
Registration for the Original Marathon is now open at OriginalMarathon.com, welcoming individuals from around the globe to be part of this historic experience. Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner, a running ‘geek’ or a first-time participant, join us on either 16 March or 20 April 2024 for an event that celebrates the history, heritage and legend of the marathon.
