2018 Virgin Money London Marathon Diary: Last minute news from London, from EME News

LONDON (GBR): Record numbers are expected to start the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday after more than 41,000 registered for the race over the last four days. When registration desks at the Virgin Money London Marathon Expo at ExCeL London closed at 17:00 on Saturday, a total of 41,469 accepted applicants had picked up their race packs. Around 41,000 are predicted to start the race, following last year’s record field of 40,048 meaning the 38th London Marathon is on track to become the biggest yet, in the year the event celebrates its unique spirit. The mass race will begin when Her Majesty The Queen steps onto a special podium in front of the Round Tower in the grounds of Windsor Castle to push the start button at 10:00.

LONDON (GBR): Callum Hawkins will be the official starter of the Mini London Marathon tomorrow, informs organisers. “It’s a real honour to be able to start the Mini London Marathon. The London Marathon is an incredible event. The numbers of people running and the huge crowds create such an amazing atmosphere, which I was lucky enough to experience when I ran a couple of years ago,” he said. Hawkins ran the Mini London Marathon three times, finishing third for Scotland in the boys’ under-12 race in 2005 and second in 2007.

LONDON (GBR): Not only will Kathrine Switzer officially start the elite women’s race, she will also be taking part in the London Marathon for the first time at the age of 71, informs organisers. “This is a dream for me. I’ve wanted to run this race ever since it started in 1981 and I’m delighted to be here in the 100th anniversary year of women earning the right to vote because there’s also a little history here about women’s equality in sports,” she said.