London Marathon today

Thousands of runners are preparing to pound the streets in today's London Marathon, with the start of the race only hours away.

Among them is Olympic champion Mo Farah, as he competes in his first full marathon, after running half the course as a 'taster' last year.

Also running will be nine members of parliament, a record in the race's thirty three year history.

Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls is among those competing.

The wheelchair race is the first to get underway- it starts at 0855.