London Marathon – in pictures

It's Sunday morning in Blackheath, where almost 37,000 men and women have gathered, ready to run themselves ragged through the streets of London Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

The vital last-minute preparations include, a) stretching Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

b) putting the finishing touches to ludicrous costumes Photograph: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

c) downing some much-needed fluid Photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

and d) naturally, some light relief Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Curiously, a number of the entrants in this year's marathon seem to be reliving the war era. A spitfire here ... Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

... and a gas mask there Photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Twenty six and a bit miles lie between the competitors and one of these prized medals Photograph: Warren Little/Getty Images

And they're off - the elite athletes, that is Photograph: Anthony Devlin/PA

Followed soon enough by the plucky masses Photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Apparently Flora aren't sponsoring the marathon this year. Wonder who is? Photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Plenty of hot air balloons will be floating over the course, sizing up the sheer scale of the challenge Photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Needless to say, the impending Royal wedding is a theme that dozens of runners and supporters have made the most of. This lady has been up all night with the Pritt stick and balsa wood Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Here they are, the happy couple Photograph: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

The gruelling demands of the marathon soon kick in. Won't be long before the running turns to jogging and the jogging turns to limping Photograph: Anthony Devlin/PA

Over Tower Bridge they go Photograph: Peter Cziborra/Action Images

And past the old clock in Parliament Square Photograph: Tom Dulat/Getty Images

Helpers dispense water to those in need Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters

Kenya's Emmanuel Mutai leads the men's elite group in the closing stages and is heartily cheered on by some young supporters Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters

Britain's Jo Pavey emerges from a tunnel looking slightly pained as she nears the finish Photograph: Christopher Lee/Getty Images

Mutai wins the men's race in a course record time of 2hr 4min and 38sec Photograph: Lee Mills/Action Images

And his compatriot Mary Keitany follows suit in the women's race, winning in a time of 2hr 19min and 17sec – the fourth fastest women's marathon ever Photograph: Jonathan Brady/EPA

USA's Amanda McGrory pips Great Britain's Shelly Woods in the women's wheelchair race Photograph: JONATHAN BRADY/EPA

But there is joy for one Brit at least, as David Weir wins the men's wheelchair event Photograph: Jonathan Brady/EPA

China's Zhu Xiaolin lets it all out after finishing the women's race, to the apparent disgust of the runner behind Photograph: Lee Mills/Action Images

While these exhausted runners deservedly put their feet up after a punishing day Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images

It's all too much for this chap ... and for anyone within eye-shot of him, too Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA