Clarke (pictured), who was awarded the OBE and BEM, had also been a trustee of the London Marathon Charitable Trust since 1987, having been brought into the organisation by co-founder Chris Brasher, who felt his expertise and familiarity with handling mass mail handling operations in his position as chief executive of the pools company Zetters would be ideal for the organising of marathon entries.

Clarke went on to join the London Marathon board in 1991, and was recently appointed vice-president.

London Marathon chief executive Nick Bitel commented: "Jim was a true gentleman, a stalwart who turned out at all London Marathon events to support both the competitors and staff and in all weathers.

"His period as chairman will be remembered for his calm and measured leadership which helped steer the Marathon towards success.

"Jim will be sadly missed by all the London Marathon team."

Clarke was a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Glovers, a City livery company with medieval origins that promotes the British glove trade and contributes to young people's charities and education and had been active in his local church holding a variety of posts.

He remained a director of Zetters until 2000.

He died peacefully at home, after a short illness and is survived by his wife, Jean, and their daughters Patricia and Lynne, their son James having predeceased him.

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