London Marathon 2015: TV Coverage, Live Stream Schedule and Route Info
The 2015 edition of the London Marathon is already being heralded for the quality of the field, particularly in the men's race. Meanwhile, the women's event will be marked by Paula Radcliffe running this marathon for the final time.
Here's the schedule and viewing information for the race:
Date: Sunday, April 26
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Time: 8:30 a.m. BST / 3:30 a.m. (ET)
TV: BBC Two (From 8:30 a.m.) BBC One (From 10 a.m.)
Live Stream: BBCSport.co.uk (Web Updates).
Route Information
This marathon demands athletes complete a 26.2-mile run through England's capital city. Greenwich is the starting point, before runners traverse the edges of the Thames, cross Tower Bridge and head toward Canary Wharf.
Eventually, the runners will make their way beyond Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. After taking in the sights, the prospective winners will then bid to reach Westminster road The Mall first.
Preview
Here's how the day's events break down:
| Event | Start Time |
| The London Wheelchair Marathon for Men & Women | 9 a.m. (BST) / 4 a.m. (ET) |
| IPC Athletics Marathon World Cup | 9:05 a.m. (BST) / 4:05 a.m. (ET) |
| The Virgin Money London Marathon Elite Women | 9:20 a.m. (BST) / 4:20 a.m. (ET) |
| The Virgin Money London Marathon Elite Men | 10:10 a.m. (BST) / 5:10 a.m. (ET) |
| The Virgin Money London Marathon Mass | 10:10 a.m. (BST) / 5:10 a.m. (ET) |
The focus will be on Radcliffe as the women's world-record holder for marathons runs this race one final time. A persistent foot injury is set to cause the 41-year-old to call time on her famed career.
Guardian writer Sean Ingle has paid tribute to Radcliffe. He praised the resilience and work ethic that took her to the top of her field: "What made her so special? Not only genes and a Stakhanovite zeal for work, but a staggering tolerance of pain."
Ingle also cited decorated middle-distance runner Sebastian Coe emphasising the appeal Radcliffe lent her sport: “A generation of runners, male and female, have taken up the sport because of Paula Radcliffe.”
It's sure to be an emotional experience for Radcliffe and her fans. But she shouldn't expect her competitors to stand on ceremony.
A two-time London winner, Kenya's Mary Keitany is already targeting Radcliffe's world-record mark, according to the London Evening Standard's Giuseppe Muro. He indicated Radcliffe believes Keitany can best Radcliffe's global-leading 2:15.25 time.
It could well produce a strange mix of emotions for Radcliffe if she bows out on the same day her record falls.
As for the men's event, it is already being dubbed potentially the "greatest in history," per BBC Sport. The hype is focused on the clash between current world champion Wilson Kipsang and world-record holder Dennis Kimetto.
It's the first competitive meeting of this illustrious pair. Kipsang, who's predicting a fast, "more tactical" race, is expecting a "big challenge" from Kimetto. The duo have traded the world record during the last two years.
But BBC Radio 5 live athletics guru Mike Costello believes this event will be about more than just the headline pair: "But there are the top three of all time in the field and five of the fastest seven men in history - it's no wonder it's being called the greatest men's field in history."
Certainly, both Kimetto and Kipsang should be wary of Geoffrey Mutai. The Kenyan was a world champion back in 2011, but longs for success in London.
Mutai is determined to finally deliver in this event, per AFP's Steven Griffiths (h/t Yahoo! News). But Mutai's countryman Eliud Kipchoge aims to use his lifelong experience covering long distances to inspire a stunning debut in this race, per Jack Wilson of the Daily Express.
It's rare for any event in any sport to boast so many marquee talents competing against each other all at once. A field this star-studded is sure to produce a memorable race, both for the connoisseur, the neutrals and even just the mildly curious.
If the big names deliver, this year's elite men's event should serve as a great advert for the sport.
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