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On this day – 35 years ago – First London Marathon
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29
03
2016

The Course of the first London Marathon 1981 ©Horst Milde

On this day – 35 years ago – First London Marathon

By GRR 0

1981: The first London Marathon was staged.

Britain's Joyce Smith won the women's race in 2:29:57, while the men's title was shared by American Dick Beardsley and Norwegian Inge Simonsen 2:11:57, who crossed the line hand in hand.

Horst Milde

1981 race report

The men’s race

A fitting finish
It wasn’t the first marathon to be held in London, but it was the biggest. Conditions were warm and humid and the race was an unqualified success, won in the true spirit of the event by American Dick Beardsley and Inge Simonsen from Norway who ran through the finish line holding hands in 2:11:48. British Olympian Trevor Wright was more than a minute behind in 3rd place.

The women’s race

Smith dips under 2:30
Joyce Smith won the women’s race in 2:29:57 (the first time she had finished under 2:30:00) some 9 minutes ahead of her nearest rival, Gillian Drake. Then little known Veronique Marot was 9th in 2:46:51.

Source: Virgin Money London Marathon

 

author: GRR