Eddie Izzard has had to abandon his gruelling challenge to run a marathon each day for 27 days in South Africa due to "medical complications".

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It was only after 23 miles and 384 yards that the tears finally came. For more than a fortnight Claire Lomas had done a remarkable job of keeping it together, singularly focused on her goal of reaching the finishing line of the London marathon. But as she took her final step this afternoon, backed by the cheers of hundreds of supporters and a remarkable piece of engineering, there seemed little need to hold her emotions back any longer.

Hallissey's heroics in London give GB selectors a headache as Kenyans dominate podium places

Tens of thousands of fun runners and amateur athletes set off in bright sunshine as the 32nd London Marathon got under way today.

A million books, 25 titles, one big giveaway

Andy Murray blamed a misfiring return of serve after he suffered final heartbreak at the hands of Novak Djokovic, losing in straight sets at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami yesterday.

Lips locked at all times - including for bathroom breaks and meals - is the less than romantic challenge facing Thai couples trying for the kiss to blow away all kisses at a Valentine's Day marathon.

Argentina's David Nalbandian was fined $8,000 for throwing water at an Australian Open staff member following his controversial second round loss to John Isner on Wednesday.

Former stuntman Eddie Kidd has completed the London marathon after nearly two months.

The veteran warrior of the women's marathon was back in action on the streets of London yesterday. For the wounded Paula Radcliffe, it proved to be a losing battle. In the city where she forged her reputation as the finest female marathon runner of all time, making a winning debut in 2002 and clocking a stunning world record in 2003, the 37-year-old Briton was beaten not just by two domestic rivals but also by the latest injury blow to have struck her on the road to an Olympic marathon.

Paula Radcliffe hits the comeback trail on the streets of London today but the marathon world record holder is unlikely to be back in a Great Britain vest at the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, in August.

So great was his talent, so stunning was his Olympic marathon victory in Beijing less than three years ago, that since his death Sammy Wanjiru has been described as the greatest distance runner we have yet seen, and he has also been compared to figures from classical mythology.