London Marathon 2012 - in pictures

All of the participants in the London Marathon will be hoping to get their hands on one of these medals – only 26 and a bit miles before most of them will reach that goal. Easy Photograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

The men's elite athletes get under way Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

Followed soon enough by the fun-runners ... Photograph: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

There's Wellington Womble. Is he collecting rubbish along the way? He should be Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

The leading elite men run past the renovated Cutty Sark, a clipper ship which was built in 1869 Photograph: Tom Hevezi/AP

... while the fun-runners try to avoid the road-side temptations near the Royal Artillery Barracks Photograph: Warren Little/Getty Images

It's a sea of colour as the masses stream along the banks of the Thames Photograph: Warren King / Rex Features/Warren King / Rex Features

Great Britain's David Weir (wearing number 21) is well positioned in the men's wheelchair race Photograph: PA Wire/PA

Now that is a disturbing sight, even by London marathon standards Photograph: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Prince Harry is being interviewed at the finish line. Why's he not taking part? Photograph: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

It's a sunny old day out there – even the best of them are suffering Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

Great Britain's Claire Hallissey is tracked by a BCC camera crew as she emerges from a tunnel in the women's elite race Photograph: PA Wire/PA

The elite men, who've been in a tight pack thus far, must be wondering if or when one of them will make a move Photograph: Warren Little/Getty Images

Kenya's Wilson Kipsang (silhouetted) seizes the opportunity with seven miles remaining and darts clear ... looks like even the motorbike can't keep up Photograph: STEFAN WERMUTH/REUTERS

Kipsang crosses the line and narrowly misses the course record Photograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

His compatriot Mary Keitany follows suit by winning the women's elite race, to retain her title Photograph: Paul Harding/Action Images