London Marathon finally returns to deliver British sport’s ultimate mass participation event

Sunday’s race is back after an 889-day gap due to Covid-19 and, as Jack Rathborn argues, it could be the most special version yet

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This weekend’s Virgin Money London Marathon is set to spark an outpouring of emotion in what is primed to become British sport’s most iconic mass participation event since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

More than 40,000 runners will weave their way through the capital on Sunday morning, while more than half a million will line the streets in support.

The noise will be inescapable, reverberating around each corner and inspiring joy at conquering personal milestones, though many runners will experience a tinge of sorrow as they harness this daunting challenge by way of a tribute to loved ones lost.