The number of people applying to take part in next year's London Marathon has reached a record high.

A total of 247,069 people have applied for a place at the annual event, with women making up 42% of those hoping to race.

In addition, 55% of the applicants have never previously competed in a marathon.

"These numbers reflect the huge success of the 35th London Marathon on April 26," race director Hugh Brasher told the London Marathon's official website. "One of our goals is to inspire people to take up sport and more than 135,000 people were inspired to apply to run a marathon for the first time in 2016.

"In 1981, less than 300 of the finishers were women. More than 100,000 women have applied to run next year."

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge won the men's race at this year's marathon, while Ethiopian Tigist Tufa claimed victory in the women's race.