London Marathon runners received a royal send-off as the Queen pushed the event’s start button, sending thousands of competitors pounding through the capital’s streets.

The Queen with Sir John Spurling, chairman of London Marathon Events (Chris Jackson/PA)
The Queen with Sir John Spurling, chairman of London Marathon Events (Chris Jackson/PA)
The Queen presses a button at Windsor Castle to start the London Marathon (Chris Jackson/PA)
The Queen presses a button at Windsor Castle to start the London Marathon (Chris Jackson/PA)

The Queen started the event from Windsor Castle at 10am by pressing the traditional red button, seeing the elite men’s race including four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah, sprint over line.

And they're off (Adam Davy/PA)
And they’re off (Adam Davy/PA)
Sir Mo Farah among the early leaders (Adam Davy/PA)
Sir Mo Farah among the early leaders (Adam Davy/PA)

With clear blue skies and sticky highs of up to 23C (73.4F) expected, it is thought the 38th edition of the world-famous race could be the hottest on record.

The Elite Men reach the halfway point, as seen from Tower Bridge Exhibition's Glass Floor (Steven Paston/PA)
The Elite Men reach the halfway point, as seen from Tower Bridge Exhibition’s Glass Floor (Steven Paston/PA)
The view to the finish line (Paul Harding/PA)
The view to the finish line (Paul Harding/PA)
David Weir crosses the line to win the Men’s Wheelchair marathon (Paul Harding/PA)
David Weir crosses the line to win the Men’s Wheelchair marathon (Paul Harding/PA)
Australia’s Madison de Rozario wins the Women’s Elite Wheelchair race (Paul Harding/PA)
Australia’s Madison de Rozario wins the Women’s Elite Wheelchair race (Paul Harding/PA)
Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot (centre) celebrates winning the Women’s London Marathon (Paul Harding/PA)
Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot (centre) celebrates winning the Women’s London Marathon (Paul Harding/PA)
Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge win’s the Men’s race (Paul Harding/PA)
Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge win’s the Men’s race (Paul Harding/PA)

Sir Mo Farah finished third in the men’s race in a British record time, unofficially recorded as two hours, six minutes and 21 seconds.

Sir Mo Farrah finishes third in the Men’s Marathon (Paul Harding/PA)
Sir Mo Farah finishes third in the Men’s Marathon (Paul Harding/PA)
Sir Mo Farah and Prince Harry speak after the race (Paul Harding/PA)
Sir Mo Farah and Prince Harry speak after the race (Paul Harding/PA)

And of course, there were plenty of brave souls tackling the 26-mile course in a multitude of fancy dress costumes…

(Paul Harding/PA)
(Paul Harding/PA)
(Paul Harding/PA)
(Paul Harding/PA)

The heat was taking its toll on many of the participants…

(Paul Harding/PA)
(Paul Harding/PA)
(Paul Harding/PA)
(Paul Harding/PA)

But it didn’t stop them completing the race…

(Paul Harding/PA)
(Paul Harding/PA)