Owner of Heaven and GAY nightclubs Jeremy Joseph (centre, yellow shirt) pictured with two runners from London Front Runners running club, and several drag queens on the Embankment
(Picture: Daniel Hambury/Stella Pictures Ltd)A stretch of the London Marathon route will this year be transformed into a “rainbow row” to celebrate the LGBT+ community.
Rainbow Row will be located on what is usually Butcher Row in Limehouse, a 250-metre stretch just past the 21-mile mark on the course. It will promote inclusivity and create a party atmosphere for runners as they head towards the home straight on October 2.
Hugh Brasher, director of the London Marathon, said: “Rainbow Row is going to be an incredible new section of the TCS London Marathon course that will be full of energy and entertainment, giving our participants a great motivational lift at arguably the toughest point.
Not long now 😁#LondonMarathon | #WeRunTogether pic.twitter.com/XrjyShSpNA
— TCS London Marathon (@LondonMarathon) August 24, 2022
“But, more importantly, Rainbow Row continues our ongoing commitment to make the marathon a truly inclusive event for all. We have worked in collaboration with members of the LGBTQIA+ community to design this new section of the route and we’re really looking forward to showcasing it to participants, spectators and to TV viewers around the world.”
Jeremy Joseph, the owner of G-A-Y and Heaven nightclubs in London who has run the London Marathon on 11 occasions, has been working alongside others with LME to plan the transformation.
He said: “Rainbow Row is so important because participants are from all walks of life, including sexualities and gender. The love and support we show each other on marathon day is incredible and now we have a focal point where love wins before the painful last stretch to the finish line.”
Among the activities planned are a DJ stand where Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts and others will be playing throughout the day.
