Marafun’s back
Star-studded line-up as 40,000 runners pound London’s streets
A GALAXY of stars joined more than 40,000 runners to pound the streets for the London Marathon yesterday.
Celebrities including actor Stephen Mangan, DJ Chris Evans, McFly’s Harry Judd and BBC host Sophie Raworth took part in the gruelling 26.2-mile course.
Strictly Come Dancing contestant Tyler West, 26, was also at the starting line just hours after hitting the dance floor.
Show partner Dianne Busell praised the DJ, who was running for charity UK Youth, saying: “Absolutely amazing, well done.”
Raworth appeared to suffer a calf strain before clocking 3:52:36 while Evans and his wife Natasha Shishmanian celebrated with their medals after crossing the finish line.
Radio host Kate Lawler, 42, wearing an RSPCA vest, and former TOWIE star Mark Wright also joined the line-up.
They were joined by “Shrek” and “Buzz Lightyear”, with people in fancydress raising millions of pounds for charity.
Mangan ran for Marie Curie UK, while Judd took part for the Children’s Trust. A
man wore the colours of the Union Flag while Ukrainian refugee Viktoriia Kiose held aloft her war-torn country’s flag.
Anoosheh Ashoori, 68, who was released from prison in Iran alongside Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe in April, ran the marathon for Amnesty International UK.
Some 40,927 runners weaved their way from Blackheath, South East London, to the Mall near Buckingham Palace.
They were cheered on by hundreds of thousands of spectators lining the streets as boxer Anthony Joshua gave out drinks.
Runners also sang the national anthem in a stirring tribute to the late Queen.
Competitors were sent on their way by Euro 2022-winning Lionesses Leah Williamson, Ellen White and Jill Scott.
Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw, 23, became the youngest London Marathon champion in the women’s section.
And Kenya’s Amos Kipruto, 30, won the men’s race on his London debut.
It may have been a tough day for many runners but it’s certain that there will once again be no shortage of entrants next year.