Why does everyone want to run the London Marathon?

It's London Marathon week, and all week, The Sports Agents will be finding out why it's the world's most popular race...

Gabby and Mark catch up with four time-Olympian and Commonwealth 10,000m champion, Eilish McColgan, who's running her first ever marathon almost 30 years after her mum won the race. She's broken all of her mum's other records - so can she break this one? And what's it like being an elite marathon newbie, learning how to take on gels and beat the wall?

Former England cricket captain Andrew Strauss will be running for the Ruth Strauss Foundation, in honour of his late wife. Does he think he can beat his ex-England team-mate Alastair Cook? Will he be trying the run-walk method again? And what's it like being a celebrity runner at London?

Plus, we react to Leeds and Burnley's promotion to the Premier League - and try to figure out what on earth is a fire beast?! And we react to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce's showing the other parents how it's down at school sports day.

The 2026 TCS London Marathon ballot opens Friday 25 April to Friday 2 May. For more information go to tsclondonmarathon.com.

Executive Producer: Adonis Pratsides

Producer: Sophie Penney

Video Producers: Sam Trudgill

Social Media Editor: Calum Scotland

Guest Booker: Kirsty Giddings

Tom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast network

Vicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for Global

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".

The Sports Agents have merch! You can buy yours now here!