Tower Bridge in London, England

© Remedios/iStock/Getty Image

Lace up, London!. London Marathon

The London Marathon isn't just a race—it is a celebration of endurance, charity and the city itself. Today, over 56,000 runners take on the challenge, making 2025 the biggest edition yet. Since its debut in 1981, the event has been drawing elite athletes, charity fundraisers and first-time runners alike. The London Marathon is one of the world's seven major marathons, known for its fast course and huge crowds. British distance legend Paula Radcliffe set the women's world record here in 2003, clocking 2:15:25—a time that remained unbeaten for 16 years. This year, the demand is unreal—840,000+ hopefuls entered the ballot. That's a record-smashing number, with 49% of UK applicants being women and a significant rise in young runners.

The route captures the essence of the city, covering 26.2 miles of historic streets lined with electric crowds. Runners start in Greenwich, push through Canary Wharf and race past the Tower of London before the final stretch along the Thames. The halfway point at Tower Bridge, featured in today's image, isn't just a landmark—it's where legs grow heavy, but the cheers grow louder. Whether you're running, cheering or watching from home, this day marks another milestone in this legendary event.