sponsored by Mars
The day is here that 22,000 people, the largest marathon field in history, have dreamed about and dreaded. By five o'clock this evening all of them, in some way, will be touched by the magic of the marathon.
They will have joined the ranks of an ever-increasing, but still exclusive band who have achieved a milestone in life they will never forget. BBC cameras cover the whole race live, from the start at Blackheath to the finish, 26 miles later, on Westminster Bridge.
DAVID COLEMAN
RON PICKERING and BRENDAN FOSTER commentate on the event, and BOB WILSON ARCHIE MACPHERSON and DAVID DAVIES talk to the competitors and their supporters.
(Further coverage at 12.40 pm)
• FEATURE: page 9