2018 London Marathon#Women

On 23 March 2018, London Marathon Limited, the organisers of the event announced that the Queen would formally start the race by "step[ping] onto a special podium in front of the Round Tower in the grounds of Windsor Castle to push the start button at 10:00 a.m." The formality marked the anniversary of the 1908 Olympic Marathon, which was started at the same venue by the then Princess Mary, who is The Queen's grandmother. It marked the third time a member of the royal family has started the race, held annually since 1981.{{Cite web|url=https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/en-gb/news-media/latest-news/item/her-majesty-the-queen-to-start-the-2018-london-marathon-from-windsor-castle/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329120949/https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/en-gb/news-media/latest-news/item/her-majesty-the-queen-to-start-the-2018-london-marathon-from-windsor-castle/|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 March 2018|title=Her Majesty The Queen to start the 2018 London Marathon from Windsor Castle|date=23 March 2018|accessdate=28 March 2018}}

With hot weather forecast, the organisers told racers to lower their performance goals and reconsider fancy dress which could lead to overheating. Extra water and cooling showers were added along the route.{{cite news|title=London Marathon runners told: don't wear fancy dress in the hot weather|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/london-marathon-runners-fancy-dress-hot-weather/|accessdate=23 April 2018|work=iNews|date=19 April 2018}}{{cite news|title=Fancy-dress wearers warned for marathon|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/athletics/story/_/id/23243030/london-marathon-organisers-warn-athletes-fancy-dress-ahead-soaring-temp|accessdate=23 April 2018|publisher=ESPN|date=19 April 2018}} On race day, the temperature at St James's Park was recorded as {{convert|24.1|C}}, making this the hottest London Marathon ever.

One runner, 29-year-old Masterchef semi-finalist and professional chef Matt Campbell, died after collapsing during the race.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/23/masterchef-contestant-dies-collapsing-london-marathon/|title=MasterChef contestant Matt Campbell dies after collapsing during London Marathon|first=Camilla|last=Turner|date=23 April 2018|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London}}

The men's elite race saw the second-ever entry into a competitive marathon by British runner Mo Farah, who, despite a mix-up at a water station, managed to finish third in a new British record. The race winner, Eliud Kipchoge, was on pace for a world record, but slowed in the final stages, finishing with a time of 2:04:17.{{cite news|title=London Marathon 2018: Mo Farah finishes third as Eliud Kipchoge wins|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/43855468|accessdate=23 April 2018|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 April 2018}}

Both Mary Keitany and Tirunesh Dibaba went into the women's elite race aiming to set a new world record for a women's marathon with male pacemakers. Keitany led on a world-record pace for much of the race, but faded in the final few miles to eventually finish fifth. Dibaba also struggled as the race progressed and failed to finish. The race winner was Vivian Cheruiyot in a time of 2:18:31.{{cite news|title=London Marathon 2018: Kenya's Vivian Cheruiyot wins but Paula Radcliffe keeps world record|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/43855299|accessdate=23 April 2018|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 April 2018}}

David Weir won the men's wheelchair event for a record extending eighth time, while Commonwealth Champion Madison de Rozario claimed a surprise first win in London in the women's event.{{cite news |title=London Marathon 2018: David Weir wins eighth London Marathon men's wheelchair title |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/disability-sport/43855459 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=22 December 2018}}

{{reflist}}

;Results

• [http://results-2018.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/2018/?pid=leaderboard Virgin Money London Marathon 2018 Tracking and Results]. London Marathon. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
• [https://trackandfieldnews.com/article/london-marathon-kipchoge-cheruiyot-handle-heat-best/ London Marathon – Kipchoge & Cheruiyot Handle Heat Best]. Track and Field News (2018-04-22). Retrieved 2020-05-03.

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website|http://www.virginlondonmarathon.com}}

{{2018 in athletics}}

{{London Marathon}}

{{Footer London Marathon Champions Men}}

{{Footer London Marathon Champions Women}}

{{Footer London Marathon Champions Wheelchair Men}}

{{Footer London Marathon Champions Wheelchair Women}}

2018

London Marathon

London Marathon

London Marathon