BBC TV, Radio and Online coverage

Runners pass in the shadow of the Canary Wharf tower

Click here for BBC coverage times

The BBC brings extended live coverage of the world's most prestigious road running event - The Flora London Marathon.

This year the event celebrates its 21st birthday - and the BBC is guaranteeing viewers more live coverage than ever before of the UK's biggest annual fundraising event.

As more than 30,000 runners prepare to conquer the 26.2 mile course through the streets of London, BBC Sport will be there every step of the way on TV, radio and - for the first time - online.

Antonio Pinto comes home a winner in 2000

They will capture all the fun, excitement and spectacle that makes the London Marathon, so unique.

Sue Barker hosts BBC One's live coverage, which starts at 0845 and continues throughout the morning uninterrupted until 1400.

Sunday Grandstand will report on the day and highlights can be seen on BBC Two at 1840.

Brendan Foster, Paul Dickenson and Steve Cram provide the commentary for the elite races, wheelchair races, and one of the most important elements in the London Marathon - the "fun" run - with tales of courage, sheer determination and on some occasions, wild eccentricity!

Keeping pace with the elite front runners are motorbike reporters Richard Nerurkar and Peter Elliot.

Hazel Irvine, Jane Hoffen and Christina Boxer, will be on the streets to talk to some of the "fun" runners, many of whom raise huge amounts of money for charity - a major part of the success of the marathon.

One couple gets in the swing of things during the race

Former winner Charlie Spedding joins Mark Pougatch as he presents Radio Five Live's coverage of the Flora London Marathon between 0830 and noon, with commentary on the elite races from Steve Wilson and Bob Ballard.

Olympic 800m bronze medallist Kelly Holmes makes her debut on Five Live's marathon coverage as she reports from the course along with Clare Balding, Sonya McLaughlin and David Croft.

Sport On Five from 1230-1800 will round-up all the results and post-race reaction.

BBC Sport Online has a dedicated site for the race for the first time on www.bbc.co.uk/marathon which goes live on April 12.

The site will have all the latest news on the elite races and interviews with celebrity competitors including Sir Steven Redgrave and Tanni Grey-Thompson.

There is advice on what to eat, the best things to do in the final count down to the race, as well as how to recover after the big day.

The site will include all the facts, figures, and history of the race, as well as the best places to watch events unfold along the course.

All times BST

Sunday 22 April
0845-1400: BBC One
1840: Highlights on BBC Two
0830-noon: Five Live 909&693AM
1230-1800: Sport on Five 909&693AM

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