SM
Greece vs. England: 2 hrs 24 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

London Marathon in talks with rival broadcasters as BBC contract nears end

:Headline: London Marathon in talks with rival broadcasters as BBC contract nears end:
The BBC could lose its annual coverage of the blue-riband event, which takes place on Sunday.
Sports Mole

London Marathon bosses are in talks with rival broadcasters as its contract with the BBC is due to run out after this year's race.

The BBC could lose its annual coverage of the blue-riband event, which takes place on Sunday and which it has televised since its inception in 1981.

Race director Hugh Brasher said: "We have had a 40-year partnership with the BBC and we have been absolutely delighted with that partnership.

"We will, in inappropriate ways, explore all sorts of other opportunities. What we believe is that this event lives on terrestrial TV.

"This event is for Britain. This event is for the world. It has a global reach. It is the world's most popular marathon.

Fun runners will be back at the Marathon (Yui Mok/PA)

"Over 457,000 people applied for the 2020 event, and showcasing it to as many people as possible to make it inspire as many different communities as possible is what we need to do. That is what we're talking to broadcasters about.

"We want that incredible coverage to continue and we have a duty as an organiser to make sure it does. This is one of the crown jewels of British sport. There's the FA Cup final, there's the Grand National, the Boat Race,  Wimbledon tennis and the London Marathon.

"Those other events have been around for over 150 years and the London Marathon is 40 years. It's incredible what we've become in that time and we do not take that in any way lightly,

"It is fair to say that we are talking to other terrestrial broadcasters and it is likely that an announcement will be made this year."

Some 40,000 runners will take part in Sunday's Virgin Money London Marathon, which is back on its traditional route from Blackheath to The Mall and open to spectators after last year's was held for elite athletes only, behind closed doors.

Sir Mo Farah will not be running due to a stress fracture in his foot, but Brasher is hopeful the British Olympic hero will compete again in the future.

Sir Mo Farah participated last year (Adam Davy/PA)

"We absolutely would love to have him back in the future so we wish him well on his recovery and look forward to working with him in the future," he added. "When he is back, we will be having conversations with him."

Brasher is confident that Sunday's race will not be affected by the escalating petrol crisis.

"We believe the vast majority of people get to our event using the train system," he said.

"We've been doing an enormous amount of work on sustainability and using electric vehicles. We do not have concerns at the moment. It has been discussed but we believe we are in a good place."

Among the elite runners, last year's winners Shura Kitata and Brigid Kosgei will be defending their titles.

body check tags ::

amp_article__465743 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-09-28 07:56:55:
html db last update - 2021-09-28 07:56:55 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Hugh Brasher

Share this article now:
AC
Read Next:
Alberto Salazar's four-year ban for anti-doping rule violations upheld by CAS
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Hugh Brasher Athletics
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Alberto Salazar's four-year ban for anti-doping rule violations upheld by CAS
What's the latest on Man United defender Martinez's 'significant' injury?
"There's always that link": Welbeck comments on Man United return speculation

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Extra homework: Estevao reveals plan to continue education at Chelsea

1

EH

Man City, Liverpool beware! Arsenal 'monitoring' in-demand midfielder

2

MC

Preview: Sweden vs. Slovakia - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

3

PS

Arsenal defender 'more likely' to leave on loan in January

NEW

4

AD

How close was Newcastle winger Gordon to joining Chelsea in 2022?

5

HC

Could Liverpool's Slot raid former rival for 21-year-old attacker?

6

CL

Thursday's Nations League predictions including Greece vs. England

7

TN

Zubimendi asking price 'not an obstacle' for Man City amid January interest

8

ZA

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's top 10 goals of all time

9

ZI

Ironic timing: Kane 'uncertain' for England game after withdrawals rant

10

IT


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .