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The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has appointed the London Marathon to manage the Olympic and Paralympic Marathons in 2012 and assist in the design of the courses.

In a unique arrangement, the London Marathon will provide, as required by LOCOG, personnel and equipment at no cost to ensure that the courses are the best designed in the world in terms of the route, athletes’ needs and in providing a visually stunning backdrop of the city.

Lamine Diack, President of the IAAF, said: “This is very good news. The London Marathon run one of the best Marathons every year, and their expertise will be a bonus to the London 2012 organisers. I look forward to watching the Olympic and Paralympic Marathons in London in 2012.”

Debbie Jevans, LOCOG Director of Sport, said: “The London Marathon organisers have a vast wealth of expertise which will prove invaluable as we work to deliver the Marathon events in 2012. I look forward to working with them.”

Dave Bedford, Race Director of the London Marathon, said: “We are honoured to have been asked by LOCOG to help organise the Olympic and Paralympic Marathons. We look forward to working closely with LOCOG on the courses, which are ideal for both athletes and spectators. We are delighted to have been chosen to see this task through, particularly with our knowledge of the streets of London.”

The London Marathon will assist LOCOG in managing the events and the athletes and provide the equipment and facilities required such as feeding and misting stations, race vehicles and start facilities.

The London Marathon originally helped design the route in the Candidate File in the Bid phase. This route is provisionally fixed to go through central London passing many iconic locations before heading east towards the Olympic Stadium. Detailed feasibility work will now take place to confirm the exact route and all the required arrangements such as transport and crowd management. Up to 100 elite men and women athletes will take place in the Marathon events in 2012.

(Source: LOCOG)