Who founded the London Marathon with John Disley?

Chris Brasher founded the London Marathon with John Disley.

Brasher was a British athlete and journalist who helped establish the race after being inspired by the New York City Marathon. He and Disley organised the first London Marathon on March 29, 1981. The inaugural event attracted thousands of runners and created a major new sporting tradition in the capital.

Brasher had won Olympic gold in the 3,000-metre steeplechase at Melbourne in 1956. Disley, also an Olympic steeplechaser, became the event’s first race director and later served as its president. Their partnership combined Brasher’s promotional skill with Disley’s practical race organisation.

The London Marathon is now one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors and is known for its mass participation, elite field, and extensive charity fundraising. Brasher is sometimes remembered only as a journalist, but his marathon role was central to creating the event.