London Marathon to again take place in October next year

The 2022 London Marathon will again take place during early October, organisers have confirmed.

It will be the third successive year the event has been moved from its traditional April date.

In 2020, Shura Kitata won the men's elite race, ending Eliud Kipchoge's reign, while Brigid Kosgei defended her women's title.

But there were no crowds or fun runners because of the coronavirus pandemic, with the athletes racing laps of St James's Park rather than the traditional street route.

The 2021 London Marathon will take place on October 3, with up to 50,000 runners on the traditional course from Greenwich to The Mall.

Another 50,000 participants are set to complete the 26.2 miles on the course of their choice anywhere in the world over the day.

Event director of London Marathon Events Hugh Brasher said: "We are living in a hugely uncertain world – a world where different approaches to managing Covid-19 are being explored and executed.

"The London Marathon is an extraordinary and unique celebration of the family of humankind coming together.

"We believe that by moving the 2022 event to October we give ourselves the best chances of welcoming the world to the streets of London, enabling tens of millions to be raised for good causes and giving people the certainty that their hard work and training will allow them to experience the amazing crowds cheering them every step of the way, from Greenwich to Westminster.

"We are extremely grateful to the Mayor of London, the London boroughs of Greenwich, Lewisham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, the City of Westminster and the City of London, Transport for London, The Royal Parks, BBC TV and our many other partners for their support in confirming the October 2 date for 2022."

Brasher added: "For 39 years, the London Marathon has been a spring event and we will return to our traditional slot in the calendar in 2023 when the TCS London Marathon will take place on Sunday 23 April."