Thousands of runners will be pounding the capital's streets on Sunday in this year's London Marathon.

Amateur athletes and marathon virgins will line up on the start line of the famous 26.2-mile course which passes landmarks including Tower Bridge, the Cutty Sark, Big Ben and the Houses of Pariament, before finishing in The Mall.

Many of the 30,000-plus crowd expected to take part will be running for charity.

Among them will be Wandsworth Guardian reporter Alexander Carnwath who is raising money for Hemihelp, a charity which supports children with hemiplegia, a condition similar to cerebral palsy which affects one side of the body.

Readers have been able to follow the highs and lows of his training in his weekly blog Running Man Ally said: "Three weeks ago, with sachets of energy gel strapped round my waist and calf muscles bulging like prize vegetables, I hit my training target of 21 miles.

"That still leaves a further 5.2 miles to negotiate on race day but I'm told the atmosphere will drag me to the finish line."

Also hoping to complete his first marathon is Guardian graphic designer Bob Noble. After being plagued with injuries in the run up to the big day, Bob is hopeful his Achilles tendon lasts the course.

Others running the race include the original drummer and spoon player with 1960s group The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band.

Battersea's Martin Ash, 65, whose stage name is Sam Spoons, decided to take up the challenge after returning from the band's recent reunion tour. He hopes to raise £4,000 for Age Concern.

You can find out how they fared by visiting yourlocalguardian.co.uk on Sunday.

We want to hear your marathon stories - tell us how you did in the race and send us your pictures by clicking here

Ten places to watch the race

The runners begin in or near to Greenwich Park. If you have come to cheer someone on, you will need to find out whether they are setting off from the Red Start in Charlton Way, the Blue Start in Shooters Hill or the Green Start in St John's Park. For all of these, the closest station is Blackheath.

  • It is just a short walk to the corner of College Approach and Greenwich Church Street, where you can see runners come through at about six miles.
  • To catch up with runners at the nine mile mark, a third of the way through the race, go to Quays Road, not far from Surrey Quays Tube station.
  • An excellent place to see the runners at the last stretch south of the river is along Jamaica Road not far from Bermondsey Tube station.
  • The runners will be in serious need of support at the half-way mark in The Highway, Shadwell. The nearest station is Shadwell on the Docklands Light Railway.
  • Canary Wharf is traditionally one of the quietest and toughest sections of the route. To cheer runners on at the 16 mile point, walk along Bank Street to the roundabout at the end with the large traffic light display. The nearest station is Heron Quays on the Docklands Light Railway.
  • Then come back over Bank Street and you can see the runners again at about 18 miles.
  • Tower Hill, between the 22nd and 23rd miles, is usually very crowded on race day. But with a backdrop of the Tower of London, any glimpse you can get of the race will be spectacular. Go to Tower Hill Tube or DLR station.
  • The long Embankment stretch is a long last stagger for many runners. You can raise their spirits by lining the route between 24th and 25th miles. Temple, Blackfriars and Embankment are the closest Tube stations.
  • Be ready with a camera at the finishing line in St James' Park. The nearest Tube station is Green Park.