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Right at the front it's marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei v marathon world champion Ruth Chepngetich.

Kosgei took more than 80 seconds from Paula Radcliffe’s 16-year-old world record at the Chicago Marathon last October when she ran 2:14:04 to defend her title.

Chepngetich clinched the world title in Doha last year.

Valary Jemeli has just fallen slightly behind. Jemeli broke the Frankfurt Marathon course record last year when she won in 2:19:19.

Hannah England
Former world 1500m silver medallist on ´óÏó´«Ã½ TV

Chepngetich and Kosgei are not relaxing. They're fighting for the lead, looking at each other and trying to size each other up with another hour and a half of running to go.

They want to know who has got it in the tank to finish this race.

One of the cardboard cut-out fans along the side of the course appears to be a storm trooper. Not exactly sure what the process to select who or what would get to be made into a cut-out.

The rain appears to have turned to drizzle now so conditions are a bit more pleasant for the second half-hour.

Kenyans Brigid Kosgei, Ruth Chepngetich and Valary Jemeli still look very comfortable out in front with 14 of the 19.6 laps to go.

Lily Partridge, who is going for the Olympic qualifying time today, has decided it's warm enough to take her coat off. You would think so half an hour into a marathon...

Fellow Briton Steph Twell isn't quite ready yet and keeps hers on.

The athletes cross the finish line again, so there are 15 laps to go now.

They have pushed the pace, meaning Ashete Bekere has fallen back and Valary Jemeli has joined an all-Kenyan leading group with Brigid Kosgei and Ruth Chepngetich.

Hannah England
Former world 1500m silver medallist on ´óÏó´«Ã½ TV

I feel like they were a bit off the pace in the first half-hour but the pacemakers have really pushed on.

Maybe they were warming up a bit, it was cold and wet so a slow start.

A lot of talk about the weather conditions this morning. Here are some of the highs and lows across the race's 39 years.

Hottest Marathon Day: 2018 (24.2°C)

Coldest Marathon Day: 2004 (5.3°C)

Most humid: 1981 (94% at 12 noon)

Least humid: 1996 (28% at 12 noon)

Wettest: 2004 (12.4mm of rain)

Sunniest: 2009 (12.3 hours of sunshine)

The organisers have placed cardboard cut-outs of fans along the route in an attempt to motivate athletes. Curiously, even the cardboard cut-outs seem to be socially distanced.

The leaders have just completed the fifth mile in a speedy 5:09, meaning the leading pack has splintered a bit.

World record holder Brigid Kosgei is still up there, joined by Ruth Chepngetich and Ashete Bekere. Seventeen and a half laps to go.

Emma Regan: Best of Luck to the amazing Dave who will be running his first ever marathon in Hyde Park today for . I'll be there, cheering you on in the rain!

Take a look at some of your training videos and don't forget to send us your virtual marathon stories to be featured across the ´óÏó´«Ã½.

Please use this link - /send/u59050709 - to send in your videos.

You can also send in your messages of support via the hashtag #bbcmarathon or by texting 81111.

Women's elite race:

07:00-10:00 - ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two, ´óÏó´«Ã½ iPlayer, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport website and mobile app

Uninterrupted coverage of the whole day:

07:15-15:20 - Connected TVs, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport website and mobile app

Men's elite race:

10:00-13:00 - ´óÏó´«Ã½ One, ´óÏó´«Ã½ iPlayer, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport website and mobile app

A Wright Marathon Workout with Mark Wright:

12:45-13:15 - ´óÏó´«Ã½ iPlayer, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport website and mobile app

Wheelchair races:

13:00-15:20 - ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two, ´óÏó´«Ã½ iPlayer, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport website and mobile app

Highlights:

19:00-20:00 - ´óÏó´«Ã½ Red Button

23:35-00:35 - ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two (00:00-01:00 in Northern Ireland)

It's an early start for the women but this is just the beginning of a whole day of marathon.

Here's what you can expect.

Marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei, the favourite to win this one, is nestled just behind the pacemakers

Fellow Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich is right next to her as the sun finally comes up.

The rain, cold and dark isn't the only difference in this year's marathon.

The athletes have just completed their first lap, yes lap, of the course.

They'll do 19.6, finishing in the traditional place on The Mall.

The route also takes in Horse Guards Parade, Birdcage Walk and the spur road running adjacent to the front of Buckingham Palace.

Not even light yet but the women's race is under way. Not the most pleasant view in the rain.

Image source, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport

This isn't the only marathon going on today. People are running their own all over the country.

For example...

Hannah England
Former world 1500m silver medallist on ´óÏó´«Ã½ TV

Brigid Kosgei is the favourite on paper but the athletes have all been in lockdown so you never know.

It is wet and a little bit windy but they are sheltered.