Search icon

World of Sport

02nd Oct 2022

London Marathon runner sprints at start to outpace professional athletes

April Curtin

London Marathon runner

That guy is going to be paying for it.

Footage circulating online shows a London Marathon runner absolutely going for it at the start of the race, outpacing some of the world’s best pros.

While a big chunk of the 42,000 people taking part in this year’s event will be trying to pace themselves ahead of the 26.2-mile stint, one runner went completely against the usual method.

London Marathon runner sprints at start to outpace professional athletes.

As soon as runners got the green light – or big buzzer – to go ahead, the man could be seen speeding off far in front of the rest of them.

Remarking on the man’s speedy work, one BBC commentator said: “The grand spectacle of thousands coming together in the pursuit of a common goal. Or the ones who look for a little bit of individual glory, like that man at the front there.”

Also commentating on BBC, three-time winner of the London Marathon Paula Radcliffe, who used to be the fastest female marathoner of all time, said: “That guy is going to be paying for it”.

England women’s team footballers Leah Williamson, Ellen White and Jill Scott were invited to mark the start of the iconic event on Sunday. The buzzer sounded at 8.50 am for the wheelchair races, at 9 am for the women’s elite race, and at 10 am for the elite men and everyone else participating.

The route started in Greenwich and will see runners take a 42km journey across the capital, ending at The Mall.

Amongst a small selection of famous faces taking part this year is TV star Mark Wright, who had to pull out last year due to injury. Sir Mo Farah was due to participate but had to pull out only earlier this week – also as a result of injury.

It is the third time the London Marathon has been held in October, after being moved because of the pandemic. The event will return to its traditional spring-time slot in 2023.

Related links.