BBC Worldwide and The London Marathon Ltd. have agreed a new extension to their current agreement for the international TV broadcast rights to The Flora London Marathon.

The deal was agreed following the international distribution success BBC Worldwide enjoyed with the 2000 London Marathon, when coverage of the event was licensed into 178 countries. This year’s race has already attracted a number of leading international broadcasters who will take live coverage of the race on Sunday, 22 April (07.55 – 10.45 GMT).

BBC Worldwide’s Sport Sales Manager, Richard Hornsby-Smith, commented, ‘We are absolutely delighted to have extended our current Agreement with The London Marathon Ltd. A fantastic field has been assembled for this year’s race which once again illustates that The Flora London Marathon is truly the world’s leading road race.’

David Bedford, Race Director of the Flora London Marathon added, ‘The Flora London Marathon’s overseas coverage has never been more extensive which reflects both the event’s position as the world’s number one marathon and also the strength of the relationship we have with BBC Worldwide.’

A world-class field has already been assembled for the race in April and will feature the current World Marathon Champion, Abel Anton (Spain), the Olympic silver medalist Eric Wainaina (Kenya) and last year’s winner, Antonio Pinto (Portugal).

The Women’s race will be equally competitive, with Lidia Simon (Romania) and Joyce Chepchumba (Kenya), the Olympic silver and bronze medallists, set to rival the current Flora London Marathon Champion, Tegla Loroupe (Kenya).

For further information please contact:

Erica Docherty:
BBC Worldwide Press
tel:0208 433 3995