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March 27, 2012, 10:30 am -- /EPR NETWORK/ -- With just a month to go until the Virgin London Marathon, which takes place on Sunday 22nd April 2012, sports commentators will be paying special attention to the famous 26.2 mile race which takes on a special significance as Olympic hopefuls aim to achieve qualifying times which will put them in the running for the Olympic marathons in August.
One of the biggest events in the sporting calendar, the London marathon attracts 30,000 runners who are cheered on by many more thousands of spectators and for anyone travelling from outside London for the event the website LondonTown.com offers a comprehensive choice of hotels in London all along the marathon route which starts at Greenwich and Blackheath and finishes at The Mall outside Buckingham Palace.
Defending the men's title will be last year's winner Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai whose biggest challenge comes from world record holder and fellow countryman Patrick Makau. Kenyan runners won all six World Marathon Majors races last year and they're looking equally strong for the London marathon with double world champion Abel Kirui and Frankfurt champion Wilson Kipsang, three-times London champion Martin Lel, and Vincent Kipruto, the world silver medallist in Daegu, joining Mutai and Makau.
In the women's race, Britain's hopes will be pinned on Paula Radcliffe who will take on Kenyan Mary Keitany, last year's Virgin London Marathon champion and one of the favourites for gold this summer.
For Team GB, the 29-year-old Londoner Scott Overall, whose Berlin performance was the best run by a British man at a major marathon since Jon Brown was fourth at the 2004 Olympics, will be pacemaker for British men hoping to gain Olympic qualifying times.
Alongside the serious athletes are keen amateurs and those raising money for charity. Over half a billion a record £51.8 million was raised for good causes at last year's race, the largest annual fundraising event in the world. This year's official charities are the Prostate Cancer Charity and Breast Cancer Care with many more charities represented.
The route, which passes through Surrey Quays, Tooley Street and Canary Wharf takes in many of London 's spectacular sights including the Tower Of London, Tower Bridge and Parliament Square to finish on The Mall by the Queen's London home, Buckingham Palace.
For information about how you can run and raise money for charity go to www.virginlondonmarathon.com. For further information on all events happening in London in 2012 go to LondonTown.com where previews of all the sporting action, theatre and art exhibitions, tours and family days out are listed along with useful information on restaurant and hotel reservations, whether you prefer to book online or over the phone.
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About LondonTown.com
Londontown.com is the number one Internet site for London. With over 16 years of experience assisting visitors to the capital, they pride themselves on their customer service and editorial independence – no advertising or paid for content is allowed. The LondonTown.com team assist in finding cheap London hotels, sightseeing tours, ticket information and events. Trusted and with a loyal following, LondonTown.com is a very reliable source of recommendations and advise on what to do in London. http://www.LondonTown.com
