The London Marathon will provide personnel and equipment at no cost to 2012 officials to ensure that the 26.2 mile courses are the best designed in the world in terms of the route, athletes’ needs and in providing a visually stunning backdrop of the city.

 

Lamine Diack, the President of the IAAF, said: “This is very good news.

 

"The London Marathon run one of the best marathons every year, and their expertise will be a bonus to the London 2012 organisers.

 

"I look forward to watching the Olympic and Paralympic Marathons in London in 2012.”

Debbie Jevans, the London 2012 Director of Sport, said: “The London Marathon organisers have a vast wealth of expertise which will prove invaluable as we work to deliver the Marathon events in 2012.”

 

The London Marathon was founded in 1981 by Chris Brasher, the 1956 Olympic 3,000 metres steeplechase champion, and John Disley, the 1952 Olympic 3,000m steeplehcase bronze medallist, after they were inspired by running in the New York City Marathon.

 

It has grown from an event where 6,255 finished the race in the first year to one in which nearly 35,000 annually compete.

 

Its budget has also grown from £750,000 for the first year to one that now has a sponsorship deal with VIrgin Money worth nearly £20 million .

 

The race has also been the scene for four world records, including one by Britain's Paula Radcliffe in 2003.

Dave Bedford, the former world record holder for the 10,000m, who is now the race director of the London Marathon, said: “We are honoured to have been asked by LOCOG to help organise the Olympic and Paralympic Marathons.

 

"We look forward to working closely with LOCOG on the courses, which are ideal for both athletes and spectators.

 

"We are delighted to have been chosen to see this task through, particularly with our knowledge of the streets of London."

The London Marathon will assist 2012 in managing the events and the athletes and provide the equipment and facilities required such as feeding and misting stations, race vehicles and start facilities.

The London Marathon originally helped design the route in the Candidate File in the Bid phase.

 

The route is provisionally fixed to go through Central London passing many iconic locations before heading East towards the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.

 

Detailed feasibility work will now take place to confirm the exact route and all the required arrangements such as transport and crowd management.

 

Up to 100 elite men and women athletes will take place in the Marathon events in 2012.