Press Release - London Marathon - 9/11/20

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

           Famous faces ready to take on challenge of completing 
             the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon - Your Way

Stars from the world of sport and screen have taken up the challenge to run 
the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon their own way on Sunday 4 October.

As the Virgin Money London Marathon cannot take place in its usual format 
this year, runners were invited to complete The 40th Race - Your Way, with 
45,000 people around the globe taking up this unique opportunity.

Participants have 23 hours 59 minutes and 59 seconds to run, jog or walk 
the 26.2 mile distance on the course of their choice, anytime from 00:00 to 
23:59:59 BST on Sunday 4 October.

Among those taking part will be a host of famous names including BBC 
Breakfast's Louise Minchin and BBC News' Sophie Raworth, plus sports stars 
Shane Williams, Jamie Peacock and Stephen Warnock.

Journalist and broadcaster Deborah James, who hosts BBC's You, Me and the 
Big C podcast is planning to take on the challenge with friend, writer and 
fellow cancer patient Limitless Em (Emma Campbell) and a small group of 
friends and relatives.

Both Deborah and Emma have been receiving treatment at The Royal Marsden in 
London and are fundraising for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. They plan 
to finish their 26.2 miles on the steps of the hospital, raising awareness 
of the work it does.

The full list of famous faces preparing for Sunday 4 October includes:

- Rob Deering and Paul Tonkinson: Comedians and hosts of the popular 
Running Commentary podcast
- Chris Evans: Host of the The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio 
UK
- Deborah James: Journalist and broadcaster
- Hannah Macleod: 2016 Olympic gold medallist (hockey)
- Louise Minchin: BBC Breakfast presenter
- Chris Newton: Three-time Olympic medallist (cycling) and fastest 
celebrity London Marathon runner ever (2h 39m 27s)
- Ethan Payne (Behzinga): The YouTuber has more than 4 million subscribers 
and is a member of the Sidemen
- Jamie Peacock: Former England and Great Britain Rugby League 
international
- Sophie Raworth: BBC News presenter
- Stephen Warnock: Former England and Liverpool FC footballer
- Shane Williams: Former Wales and British Lions Rugby Union international

All runners will record their 26.2 miles on a new app, powered by TCS. 
Everyone who successfully completes the distance will earn the unique 40th 
Race finisher's medal and New Balance finisher T-shirt.

General entries are sold out but there are a limited number of charity 
places still available for the virtual Virgin Money London Marathon.

In addition to the virtual Virgin Money London Marathon, there will be 
three historic elite-only races (elite men, elite women and wheelchairs) 
taking place around St James's Park in central London on Sunday 4 October.

No spectators will be allowed to watch the races but there will be more 
than eight hours of live coverage on BBC television.

For more information on the elite races, click here.

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