The caterpillar is headed up by Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson's children, Holly and Sam. And this year Virgin has taken over sponsorship of the event for the first time.Tsegaye Kebede wins men's marathon in 2hrs, 5mins, 18secs
Liliya Shobukhova wins women's marathon in 2:22
Sir Richard Branson slipped on a pair of wings and Princess Beatrice formed a human chain running as a caterpillar as the London Marathon brought thousands to the streets today.
Up to 36,000 athletes are expected to finish the 26.2-mile course, braving rain at the start of the race to earn their marathon medals and raise millions for countless charities.
Branson ran alongside Team Caterpillar, which included his children Holly and Sam, and Beatrice, is aiming to become the first royal to complete the route in the team aiming to beat the world record for the highest number of finishers tied together.
Crawling along: The caterpillar team of Sam Branson, Dave Clark, Holly Branson, Princess Beatrice and Tuuli Shipster are among 34 in the chainIn the race proper, Liliya Shobukhova became the first Russian woman to win the London Marathon in an unofficial time of two hours, 22 minutes.
While Ethiopia's Tsegaye Kebede won the men's London Marathon in two hours, 5 minutes and 18 seconds, beating Emmanuel Mutai of Kenya who came in second place.
Thousands of runners take to the streets in the 2010 Virgin London MarathonShobukhova broke away in the last two kilometres, adding the London crown to the Chicago Marathon title she won with similar tactics last autumn.
British hope and last year's runner-up Mara Yamauchi fell off the pace around the halfway point through which pacemaker Aniko Kalovis took the field on schedule in 1hr 10min 56sec.
Rain greeted the runners at the start of the race and TV presenter Jenni Falconer, who is hoping to finish in three and a half hours, said she would prefer it to be hot
The main man: Tsegaye Kebede claims victory in the men's race in two hours, five minutes, 18 seconds'I'm getting very nervous,' she said.
'The rain is coming down so it's not a good start.'
Fellow GMTV presenter Lorraine Kelly said: 'I'm really nervous about it. I'm just going to do my best. I'm determined to do it so fingers crossed. I don't know how long it will take. I'm just hoping to get around.'
Women's winners: Liliya Shobukhova (centre) with Aselefech Mergia and Inga AbitovaAt the start line celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, running his 11th marathon in 11 years, said he was 'nervous and excited'.'
Standing with his wife, Tana, who is also running, he said: 'The weather is perfect for the start. Not too hot, which is brilliant.'
He said his wife had run three half marathons in three weeks, adding: 'I feel for the first time in 10 years I'm going to get my arse kicked.'
GMTV presenter Lorraine Kelly starts The London Marathon with a smile on her face
Promising start: Lorraine Kelly is all smiles... for nowNatalie Imbruglia and Michelle Heaton were also nervous about the race and Natalie said it would be an emotional finish.
As the rain stopped, Hollyoaks actor Ricky Whittle said: 'The nerves are settling in now, this is it.
'I can't run away from it, or at least there's only one way I can run. It's going to be fun and we are all raising lots of money for a great cause.'
As well as the celebrities, thousands of fun runners were set for the challenge.
Carole Furmanski, 54, an IT manager from Ifield Wood, near Gatwick, was taking on the course with the aid of her walking stick.
Ms Furmanski, who had a botched hip replacement operation in the summer of 2008, said: 'I decided to do it for Scope, they do so much for disabled people and I know a little bit about what that's like now.
'I couldn't walk properly for a few years. 'My aim is to finish hopefully today.'
A total of 74 runners are taking part in 41 different Guinness World Record attempts, including fastest cartoon character, animal, superhero, alien and runner on crutches.
Gordon and Tana Ramsey at the start line of the 2010 London Marathon at Blackheath in south London.
Gordon Ramsay battles on within the marathon crowds Among runners attempting world records, firefighter Michael Szymanski dons his uniform, complete with oxygen tank, helmet, and heavy duty boots, weighing a total of about 40lb (18kg).
He is attempting to finish in under five hours, 33 minutes and 10 seconds to raise £5,000 for Naomi House, which provides care to sick children, and become the fastest ever runner in a fireman's uniform.
The 36-year-old, from Southampton, said: 'I've done a fair bit of running in the boots. I've lost a bit of skin on my feet and I've lost skin off my back as well, wearing this. But it's worth it at the end of the day.'
Here for the beer: Fun runners dresses as a bottle of beer and gingerbread man file pastJonathan Zeffert, a 32-year-old sales director who is also running for Naomi House, dressed as purple Teletubby Tinky Winky in an attempt to become the fastest television character.
He said: 'It's a good example of what happens if you let your child choose what you are going to wear for the marathon.
'It was a close-fought battle between this and Spiderman and in retrospect I wish Spiderman had won.'
Damsel soon to be in distress: Four gallant knights aiming to help a young lady roundPolice officer Jill Christie, 27, from Brentford, north west London, is dressed as Superwoman as she attempts to go under three hours, 13 minutes and 33 seconds for Crimestoppers.
Ms Christie, going for the record of fastest superhero, said her colleagues thought she was 'loony'
Sitting in a crop top with a bare midriff, she added: 'I think they are jealous they don't have an outfit like this.'
Married father-of-two David Kidd, 42, from West Oxford, has been training with a walking stick for his attempt at the fastest book character record.
Dressed as children's favourite Wally, from the Where's Wally? books, he is aiming for under four and a half hours to claim the record.
Getting an education: Runners pass by the University of Greenwich He said it was his grandmother's walking stick and a top made from a Darlington FC shirt.
His seven-year-old son, Harry, suggested the character and his nine-year-old son, Joseph, suggested the top, so he said: 'They're both to blame really.'
Andrew White, 39, from central London, is aiming to become the fastest marathon runner dressed as a nurse and has already raised £80,000 for CLIC Sargent.
Asked about the outfit, he said: 'It chafes a bit.'
Figuring it out: Models Elen Rivas, Jo-Emma Larvin and the Bionic Woman, ex-EastEnder Michelle RyanGeorge Bingham, 49, from West Yorkshire, is wearing a 1/12 scale model of The Angel of the North.
He is hoping his costume, which is 14ft 1in (4.3m) tall with a wingspan of 14ft 9in (4.5m), will win him the record of tallest costume.
And, more importantly, it has helped him raise more than £42,000 for the Sue Ryder Care hospices in Oxenhope, near Keighley, and Leeds
Ready for the off: Jenni Falconer and Ben Shepherd at the start of the 2010 Virgin London Marathon, at BlackheathFred Flintstone is not known for being fleet of foot but David Ross, running his 175th marathon, is hoping to clock under three hours, 36 minutes and seven seconds to become the fastest cartoon character.
Brandishing an inflatable club, the 42-year-old City sales account manager, who runs two to three marathons a month, said: 'I just love raising money for charity.'
Legging it: Singers Natalie Imbruglia and Michelle Heaton and children's TV presenters Dick and DomThe record seekers are under strict instructions to finish as they start, and must keep hold of their props, such as walking sticks and stethoscopes.
Other characters taking part are Spongebob Squarepants and Buzz Lightyear.
The race also features five leprechauns and runners dressed in full ice hockey kit, martial arts suit and a school uniform.
Are you competing in The London Marathon? Send your pictures to us at: pictures@dailymail.co.uk
source: dailymail
