Individual runners in the 2014 marathon, which was held on April 13, set yet another record figure for charity fundraising by generating £53.2 million ($86.9 million/€67 million).

It is the eighth consecutive year that entrants have broken the Guinness World Record for the largest annual single-day charity fundraising event worldwide

Race director Hugh Brasher said: "We are extremely proud to reach the quarter of a billion pound figure in only five years with our partnership with Virgin Money, and especially delighted that this year's amazing London Marathon runners have, once again, raised a record-breaking amount of money for charity.

"Our official charity of the year, Anthony Nolan, raised over £1.3 million ($2.1 million/€1.6 million), smashing their own target of £1.1 million ($1.8 million/€1.4 million).

"It was a pleasure to support this exciting and lifesaving charity in its 40th anniversary year, and to welcome its biggest team of runners yet.

"Anthony Nolan's passionate supporters who lined the streets of London carried people around the route, and summed up the uplifting spirit of marathon day."

The London Marathon has raised £261.4 million for charity since 2010 ©Getty Images




The total raised for hundreds of charitable causes since the race began in 1981 is more than £716 million ($1.2 billion/€901 million), with 924,741 runners completing the race.

There were 35,868 finishers this year, with the number of runners raising money for charity increasing by two per cent on 2013, with 77 per cent of these runners raising funds for good causes.

Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson said: "When Virgin first got involved with the London Marathon we set the bar high and challenged runners to not only complete their 26 miles, but within five years also help raise £250 million for good causes.

"Today's news shows that not only have we all risen to that challenge, but during the 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon we smashed right through it.

"Lots of charity runners raise their money through Virgin Money Giving, our not-for-profit fundraising website.

"Over £77 million ($126 million/€97 million) has been raised to date by marathon fundraisers using Virgin Money Giving, and long may they continue to do so."

The 2015 Virgin Money London Marathon is on Sunday April 26, 2015.

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