The London Marathon saw an estimated 40,000 runners on the street of the capital in blistering heat. 

Runners received a royal send-off as the Queen pushed the event's start button, sending thousands of competitors pounding through the capital.

With clear blue skies and sticky highs of up to 23C (73.4F) the 38th edition of the world-famous race was the hottest on record.

In light of the warm weather, participants were advised to drop their goal-times with organisers adding more ice, water and run-through shower stations along the 26.2-mile course.

Competitors started from Blackheath, south east London, running a snaking route along both sides of the Thames, finishing on The Mall near Buckingham Palace.

Last year, the event raised £61.5 million for charity, a world record for an annual one-day fundraising event, making the total raised since 1981 around £890 million, organisers said.

A record 386,050 people applied for this year's race - almost a third more than last year and the highest number for any marathon in the world.

Check out our gallery from photographer Keith Larby as thousands accomplished their mission.