John Patrick Fletcher / GettyImagesContributor
Big Ben is Too Big!
The London Marathon
On Sunday 28 April 2019, more than forty-two thousand people ran the London Marathon … more than ever before.
Lukas Bates, a 30-year-old from Maidstone in Kent, wanted to break a world record. He wanted to run the fastest marathon time dressed as a landmark. The landmark he chose was Big Ben, London’s famous clock tower.
But Lukas’s homemade costume of Big Ben (officially named the Elizabeth Tower) was too tall! Lukas was helped across the finishing line by a race volunteer.
A video of Lukas went viral! Lukas raised more than six times his target for the charities, Alzheimer’s Research UK and Dementia Revolution.
In total, runners of the 39th London marathon raised a record-breaking amount of more than a billion pounds for charity.
The elite runners made some landmarks of their own, too. This year Brigid Kosgei became the youngest ever women’s winner at age 25 and Eliud Kipchoge won the men’s race for the fourth time in a stunning course record of 2 hours 2 minutes and 37 seconds.
Kipchoge said, “The crowd in London is wonderful and that spirit pushed me. From the first kilometre to the last, everybody is shouting.”
Have you ever raised money for charity? How did you do it?
Would you ever run a marathon?
What does the word ‘landmark’ mean?
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15 May 2019 at 14:56
I have never been to London. I would like to go London and watch the marathon. In my PE lessons we don't run often but we play a lot of team sports. I have been to the running competition but it was a very shirt distance. It was one kilometre. It was very difficult for me and I was so tired. I am not a very good runner because I am not fast enough. I have never taken part in the charity race. I would like to try and run the marathon but I don't know if I can do it. In my school we have a charity event every year. It is always on Saturday on June. We raise money and help our school and children. It is a great idea.
15 May 2019 at 15:45
I like running but I have never run the marathon. Sometimes at weekends I run with my friend. Every time we run about 5 kilometers so I think I'm quite fit. I have raised money for charity. Now in my school there is a project (#pomóżmyKubie) and we raise money for one boy whose name is Jacob. Before Xmas we bring some food for poor children in Africa (UNICEF). I think I would never run the marathon because I've never run more than 6 kilometers. But maybe one day I will. Boys think girls are weak. "Don't call us girls and don't belittle us!" -Cheryl Blossom (Madelaine Petsch) Riverdale. ilyv
bettyriverdale
16 May 2019 at 16:30
I have raised money to charity. Sometimes I send SMS with money to help disabled kids. I give my old clothes to poor children. I have never run a marathon because I can't run really well. I always run in school tournaments and I usually win but my record is 2 kilometers. I have never been to London but i I want to go, run the marathon and win. But I wouldn't like to wear a costume I think it is really uncomofortable.
20 May 2019 at 16:47
One minute ago I watched a video on YouTube with Lucas wearing Big Ben costume. I love this this costume and I would like to have it in my room. Lucas is a cool guy. This London marathon is amazing. I can't believe that forty two thousand runners ran forty two kilometers. I like running, it's easy and fun but you must be fit. I am not sure I'm very fit. I do sport every day and sometimes we run in PE lessons. I have never done charity work but I would like to be a volunteer in London marathon.
25 May 2019 at 17:45
I rase some money for charity every year with my school at the Christmas's school basar.All the students, do some easy and wonderfull crafts and after that, we sell them in the city centre. I want very mutch to run a marathon and help to race money for charity.
29 May 2019 at 13:38
i was waiting for this grand opening because the first time i went on London i wasn't able to see it