Thousands of novice runners will be participating alongside some of the finest long-distance athletes on the planet as PBs are broken, records are targeted and millions are raised for charity on what is often one of the most feel-good days of the sporting calendar.

Sifan Hassan concedes she remembers little about her remarkable marathon debut two years ago in London when she stopped twice to stretch her hip before her stunning kick down the home stretch to victory,

The 24-year-old smashed the world record for the half marathon in February and now attempts his first attempt at the full distance