Call to runners to share your #ReasonToRun

The 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon will celebrate every runner who lines up at the famous Start Line on 23 April with its call to participants to share their #ReasonToRun on social media.

“We know every single runner has a unique #ReasonToRun the world’s greatest marathon,” said Hugh Brasher, Event Director. “Whether it’s to set a PB, to raise money for a cause, to remember a loved one, to break a Guinness World Record, to win, to remain an Ever Present, to qualify for Great Britain or just because it’s always been a dream to run the London Marathon – the reasons are endless and we would love to hear them.”

All runners are encouraged to share their story using #ReasonToRun @LondonMarathon.

A specially commissioned video booth will be located at different events over the coming months, giving runners from all over the UK the opportunity to tell their story by recording a short video or simply sharing their unique #ReasonToRun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Watch the video here to find out more.

Here are just some of the #ReasonToRun messages that have been shared so far:

Olympic ice dance champion Jayne Torvill says: “I watch the Virgin Money London Marathon on TV every year and have always dreamed of taking part. Now I aim to raise money and awareness for Variety, an amazing charity I am an ambassador for.”

Actor Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale in EastEnders, says: “I’m taking part in the Virgin Money London Marathon with my son for The Children’s Air Ambulance to highlight the difference in speed between land and air transfers.”

BBC sports presenter Mark Chapman says: “I’m running the Virgin Money London Marathon for the Christie Hospital, a remarkable place full of remarkable people who have been caring so well for a member of my family. I’ll never be able to thank them enough.”

Double Olympic rowing champion Helen Glover says: “I’m running because I want a fun but challenging focus after the pressure of the Rio Olympics and the chance to raise some money for the Brain and Spine Foundation.”

Good Morning Britain sports presenter Sean Fletcher says: “I’m running for Heads Together to help raise awareness for mental health issues among young people.”

BBC news presenter Sophie Raworth (handicap 11.1) says: “I run for my head, I run for my heart, I run because I can, I run because it’s empowering. I run because it makes me happy.”

BBC Radio 1 host Adele Roberts says: “I’m running in memory of my cousin Michael. The work Heads Together do in helping young people through difficult times is vital and I’m proud to support their incredible work.”

Gogglebox star Baasit Siddiqui says: “I am running to help raise money for Cash for Kids, a charity that helps very disadvantaged children.”

Highlights of the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon include:

·      Defending champion and Rio Olympic gold medallist Jemima Sumgong tops one of the strongest women’s fields ever assembled for a major city marathon that includes Kenya’s Mary Keitany aiming for a hat-trick of London wins and a total of four women who have run sub 2:20 and nine who have run faster than 2:22

·      Ethiopian legend Kenensia Bekele leads the elite men’s field which includes New York champion Stanley Biwott (Kenya) and Rio silver medallist Feyisa Lilesa (Ethiopia) and four other men who have run under 2:06

·      Jo Pavey (handicap -1.2) returns to the marathon distance in a quest to qualify for the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London alongside Alyson Dixon (handicap -0.4) , Charlotte Purdue (handicap -0.6) , Louise Damen (handicap 3.3) and Susan Partridge (handicap 1.9). The British men chasing a 2017 place include Tsegai Tewelde (handicap -2.1), Scott Overall (handicap -5.6) , Chris Thompson (handicap -6.7), Matthew Bond (handicap -4.9) and Robbie Simpson (handicap -5.1).