Celebrities took to the streets as record numbers of people took part in the London Marathon on Sunday in what has been billed as its most inclusive year yet.
More than 50,000 people ran the 26.2 mile course through the capital on what was a bright, dry day with highs of 12C.
Runners of all ages attempted to complete the route for charity, passing the start line from 10am onwards, some in costume.
Among the famous faces taking part was comedian and TV presenter Romesh Ranganathan, who ran for suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably the day after starting his new Saturday morning show on BBC Radio 2.
Comedian Joel Dommett ran in the Piranha costume first worn by this year’s Masked Singer winner, McFly’s Danny Jones, while radio host Chris Evans and his wife Natasha, singer Tom Grennan and the actress Ruth Wilson, among others.
Celebrities took to the streets as record numbers of people took part in the London Marathon on Sunday in what has been billed as its most inclusive year yet (Harry Judd, left, and Ruth Wilson, right, seen on the line goal).
Former Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston completed his run in 5:21:50, with the actor, 60, racing to the aid of The Big Issue.
McFly’s Harry Judd said the atmosphere for runners at the London Marathon was “amazing”.
The pop star, 38, who ran for The Children’s Trust charity for children with brain injuries, finished in 3 hours, 23 minutes and 40 seconds, and told the BBC while running the marathon: “The atmosphere is incredible”.
“The crowd is in the thousands and many amazing runners have charities on their t-shirts.”
He said conditions were “pretty good.”
“I would say these are pretty good conditions for elite athletes, of which I am not one,” he said.
“It’s not too cold or too windy.”
Fellow singer Tom Grennan, 28, finished in 3:45:39 after applying to housing and homelessness charity Shelter.
The artist said after crossing the finish line: ‘What an experience! I can’t tell you how amazing that is.
The Masked Singer UK winner was revealed as Danny Jones during the series finale episode earlier this year, with the musician competing as Piranha.
‘There are so many people cheering you on, seeing so many people running for their charities.
‘What an incredible experience. I loved!’
Masked Singer UK host Joel Domett also took part in the race, with a final time of 5:19:19.
TV presenter Joel, 38, who hosts the singing competition, wore the Piranha costume that appeared on the show and was worn by the winner of the last series, McFly star Danny Jones.
Joel ran for the charity Shooting Star Children’s Hospice, of which he is a patron.
He wrote online before the race: ‘Shooting Star Children’s Hospices supports babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families across Surrey and west London.
‘Whether lives are measured in days, weeks, months or years, we are here to make every moment count. We support families from diagnosis to the end of life and through bereavement with a range of nursing, practical, emotional and medical care.’
Former Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston completed his run in 5:21:50, with the actor, 60, racing to the aid of The Big Issue.
He said: ‘I want to thank you all personally. Some people contribute incredible amounts of money and others contribute only what they can. Everything is the same. It is very emotional and what attracts the runners is the sponsorship. So thank you very much.’
Meanwhile, Ruth Wilson ran for the Alzheimer’s Research UK charity and completed her marathon in 4:54:26.
The actress, 42, ran almost 43 years to the day her father Nigel took part in the first London Marathon in 1981, completing her race in a remarkable 3 hours and 15 minutes.
Nigel now lives with Alzheimer’s disease and Ruth wanted to raise funds in his honor to support the search for a cure.
She said: “I’m so elated to have finished and to have helped raise such valuable funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK.” I suffered a leg injury around mile 20, so I had to limp the last six miles, but Dad was in my thoughts the entire time and motivated me to keep going. It was the perfect tribute for him. I think it will be some time until the excitement of crossing that finish line is equaled.
‘The crowd was electric and their encouragement and support really pushed me forward. “It is a day I will remember forever and it was all for the most incredible man and the most amazing cause.”
He added: “Research will help overcome dementia and Alzheimer’s Research UK will take us towards a cure.” If you can spare some money, consider making a donation. And many thanks to everyone who has donated so far; “It means a lot to me and my family.”
EastEnders actors Jamie Borthwick and Emma Barton ran the London Marathon in character in a story about a brain tumour.
Last year, the BBC One soap said goodbye to Lola Pearce-Brown, played by Danielle Harold, in heartbreaking scenes when she died following her diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme.
On Sunday, in a clip played on BBC One, the actors; Jamie, 29, who plays Lola’s husband, Jay Brown; and Emma, 46, who plays Honey Mitchell, said her characters would run the marathon in Lola’s honor.
Jamie said before the race: ‘Over the last 18 months we have seen a story where my wife Lola had developed a brain tumour.
“We tried to make it as real as possible and our lovely boss dropped the idea that maybe our characters would run the marathon.”
Emma added: “I think it’s a really clever idea that EastEnders have done to show what lots of people are doing up and down the country.”
‘And that’s raising money for charities or in memory of a loved one.
‘As Honey and Jay are running the London Marathon, we will be filmed live on the day of the London Marathon, which will then be broadcast on Monday 22nd April at 7.30pm This has never been done before in the history of the TV soaps.
Host JJ Chalmers spoke to the duo at the 12 mile point.
Jamie said: ‘It’s fantastic. So far we are struggling a bit. But will we achieve it? The crowd is great.”
He added: ‘Everyone has been great.
“It’s a big day and everyone is shouting and shouting and it’s brilliant.”
When asked if they were ready for their EastEnders scene, Emma said: “We just have to treat it like any other EastEnders scene, professionally, we’ll do it and then we can relax for the last half.”
The EastEnders London Marathon episode will air on Monday at 7.30pm on BBC One.