London Marathon

The athletes huddle ahead of the start of the race Photograph: S Paston/Action

Kenya's Martin Lel, who won the men's race, and Felix Limo await the gun Photograph: T Hevezi/AP

Blind runner Dave Heeley, who runs attached by a wrist cord to guide Malcolm Carrcrosses, was bidding to become the third person to complete the Seven Magnificent Marathons challenge Photograph: Ian West/PA

And they're off! Photograph: S Paston/Action

A runner dressed as a chicken starts the London marathon Photograph: T Hevezi/AP

Ronan Keating, Floella Benjamin, James Cracknell and Ben Fogel await the start Photograph: G Cattermole/Getty

Six Masai warriors from Tanzania competed in the London Marathon in traditional dress to raise money to provide their dry village with water. One of the six, Isaya, 24, said: "The marathon (in London] is easy. There are no lions."
Ian West/PA

Runners swarm across Tower Bridge during the 28th London Marathon in London Photograph: A Rain/EPA

Runner number 187 jogs through the City of London
K Robertson/Getty Images

Men's winner Martin Lel leads as the elite men along the Victoria Embankment Photograph: G Fuller/PA

Two runners dressed as Batman and Robin, just an example of the 40,000 fund-raising runners in the London Marathon Photograph: T Hevezi/AP

Irina Mikitenko won the women's race in two hours 24 minutes 12 seconds Photograph: S Paston/Action

Leading British woman, Liz Yelling, clocked a lifetime best of 2hr 28min 31sec Photograph: S Paston/Action

A fun-runner walks along the embankment Photograph: S Paston/Action

David Weir accelerates towards the finish in the men's wheelchair race Photograph: G Fuller/PA

Winner Irina Mikitenko embraces second placed Svetlana Zakharova Photograph: H Blair/Getty

Martin Lel of Kenya crosses the line to win the men's event in 2 hrs 05 mins 16 secs
H Blair/Getty Images

A fun runner dressed as Tarzan Photograph: C Lee/Getty