26.2 miles, 43 cameras and 35,000 stories
For the , the streets of London will play host to a "sporting" spectacle which will be seen by millions of people, not just around the UK but throughout the world.
This week, though, the only crowd "demonstration" we expect our cameras to capture are pictures of passionate and enthusiastic support for the 35,000 runners of the London Marathon. Some of whom are putting their reputations on the line while many more are raising millions of pounds for charity.
This is not simply a sporting event where we focus solely on a ; our aim is to reflect as many of the stories associated with the event as possible.
There will still be an feel to our output with much of our attention focused on those who can get an Olympic qualifying time and compete for those elusive team places in .
We will also spare a thought for the centenary of the Marathon distance - 26 miles and 385 yards first run between Windsor and White City in the 1908 Olympics and how the Italian become a legend. Overall though, this is an event to capture the imagination as we marvel at the exploits and courage of all those taking part whether their target is , a or .
Five-and-a-half hours of live TV coverage get under way at 0830 BST on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ One. Sue Barker presents the programme with , , Paul Dickenson and in the commentary box. Reporters on the course are , , , Jake Humphrey and Lizzie Greenwod-Hughes.
Peter Elliott and will, as usual, follow the elite races from their close-up vantage point on a motorbike. The sound from their microphones is beamed up to a circling plane and two helicopters and then passed on to receiving points in Television Centre.
Our four motorbike cameras and two cameras in the helicopters follow a similar path. Overall, we will have 43 cameras out and about along the route.
While the main ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ One programme will focus on the best of everything, our interactive service will, once again, concentrate on covering the men's and women's races initially - and with the women, Mike Gillingham and with the men - followed by continuous coverage of the finish and a replay of the finishes.
John Inverdale will host Radio 5 Live's race day coverage, ably assisted by , and the 1984 Olympic bronze medallist . There's also the comprehensive service of news, views, guides, tips, and our 26-week training diary on .
It promises to be and ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Two will return to the London marathon at 1840 BST for highlights of the day and more stories of individuals determined to reach their goals and help others in the process.
°ä´Ç³¾³¾±ð²Ô³Ù²õÌýÌýPost your comment
I WATCHED THE MARATHON AND WAS MOVED TO TEARS BY THE EFFORTS THESE PEOPLE PUT IN,IMARVEL EVERY YEAR AT THE ENTHUSIASM THEY SHOW, AND I WOULDNT BE ABLE TO BE THERE AND SEEIT AS iT WOULD BE TOO EMBARRASSING FOR ME AS
IWOULD BE SHEDDING TEARS,
IAM 80 YEARS OLD AND AND HAVE DIFFICULTY WALKING,BUT I DO ADMIRE THEM ALL,THEY ARE ALL MARVELOUS, THE RUNNERS AND THOSE WHO GO TO CHEER THEM ON TOO, WHICH THEY ALL SAY,HELPS THEM IN THEIR ENDEAVOURS
AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS TO BRING IT TO US.
A great day and great coverage, but why not have the highlights show on iplayer?