London Marathon scheduled for October again in 2022

The London Marathon will take place in early October in 2022 instead of its traditional date in April for the third straight year, organisers said on Tuesday.

The 2021 edition is scheduled for Oct. 3, while the 2022 race will be held on Oct. 2.

"We believe that by moving the 2022 event to October we give ourselves the best chances of welcoming the world to the streets of London, enabling tens of millions to be raised for good causes," said

Hugh Brasher

, event director,

London Marathon Events

.



This year's race will have competitors return to the old street route from

Greenwich

to The Mall, a departure from last year that had athletes run laps of St James's Park.

Organisers added that up to 50,000 participants have the choice of completing the distance of 26.2 miles on a course of their choice anywhere in the world.

Ethiopian

Shura Kitata

won the men's title last year, while Kenya'

s Brigid Kosgei

defended her women's title.