LONDON 2012: Organisers confirm marathons will be loop of the capital

By James Toney, Sportsbeat

LONDON 2012 organisers have revealed that the Olympic marathon will be staged on a loop course designed to take in the postcard sights of the city.

CURTAIN CALL? Paula Radcliffe may get the chance to bring the curtain down the London 2012 Olympics (Getty Images)

Like the annual London Marathon, it is expected the finish will be on The Mall with the backdrop of Buckingham Palace providing the iconic image demanded by broadcasters, although details have yet to be finalised by organisers, the IAAF, athletics' world governing body, and the International Olympic Committee.

However, before then athletes will run around a still to be defined course that will take them several circuits past St Paul's Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament and Tower of London.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has also got his wish with Locog confirming both marathons will be held at weekends, to minimise traffic disruption in the city, with the races staged on Sunday August 9th and Sunday August 16th 2012.

Previous tradition points to the men's race concluding the Games but organisers may prefer that is reversed, with a women's marathon, in which British world record holder Paula Radcliffe will be one of the main medal hopes, one of London 2012's final acts.

The provisional sports schedule, which has been drawn up in consultation with international federations and broadcasters, will be submitted to the International Olympic Committee in November, pending their final approval early next year.