From the magnificent to the downright wacky, London Marathon day always delivers a shot of joy in the arm of the British sporting calendar. This year was no exception. Here are just five wonderful things about our favourite day of the running year.

The incredible finish to the women's races

Yes, Kelvin Kiptum's and Marcel Hug's course records in the men's races were amazing. But sorry chaps, the women's races were much more nail biting in the end. Both came down to a sprint finish, with Madison de Rozario just edging out Boston winner Manuela Schar in the women's wheelchair race (grabbing yet another course record in the process). And then there was Sifan Hassan, who was dropped from the pack, nearly taken out by a motorbike, stopped to stretch and generally took a pair of metaphorical scissors to the rule book - but won anyway.

The crowds in London are just the best

You think Londoners and those who have travelled to support their loved ones in the race are going to let a horrible grey day with downpours interspersed with drizzle dampen their cheers? Not a chance. After all, grey drizzly days are part of our DNA. But perhaps you think that the last few runners home don't benefit from the crowds. Think again. Just look at this lovely moment where Tom Durnin - who has so far raised over £5,000 for the Bone Cancer Research Trus - is cheered over the line. That is what the London Marathon is all about.

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World records fell like ... a runner dressed as a domino

Thanks to the partnership between London Marathon and Guinness World Records, you can always expect a bumper crop of records to fall on race day. This year was no exception. 45 records have gone, including many that are seriously impressive. Alex Grady ran 02:38:52 dressed as a boxer (that padded helmet must have got very, very hot) while Julian Rendall cut down on all the tedious post-race getting ready for bed lark by running in his PJs in 02:46:46, before getting tucked in with his cocoa.

Having passed Masakazu Konno who scooped 'Fastest marathon wearing a suit and dress shoes (male)' in 03:23:24 in person during the race, your RW correspondent can also confirm that those shoes looked every bit as stiff, pinchy and horrid to run in as you would imagine. In fact, we hope there is a special chat today between Masakazu, Becky Lafford and Johannes Teunissen. Lafford ran an amazing 03:59:57 in wellington boots, while Teunissen completed the race in 07:08:37 in clogs. A unique trio of very sore-footed runners today.

You may well have already caught interviews with Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts who broke the record for the 'Fastest marathon with an ileostomy (female)' in an impressive 03:30:22. Meanwhile Gilles Dufosse regally made his way to the fastest marathon dressed as a monarch in 03:38:13, and then there was a pair of glasses. No, not that sort of pair - Daniel Bent ran the fastest marathon dressed as a glass (male) in 03:50:21 and Caroline Lear was 'Fastest marathon dressed as a glass (female)' - 04:09:26. Now if that's not a meet-cute...

Finally, kudos to Sam Hammond who completed London in 04:52:10 while carrying a fridge on his back. Yes, an actual, full size fridge. And lastly to Charlie Fitton, who was taking no chances with race day nerves and the havoc they can play with your stomach - she got the record for the most underpants worn during a marathon with a total of 25. Magnificent stuff.

Yuki Kawauchi was being Yuki Kawauchi

There might be bigger names in running than Yuki, but few have his character and unique approach to the sport. Originally slated to be part of the elite field, the 2018 Boston Marathon winner (and holder of the world record for the fastest half marathon in a panda costume) fell foul of a rule that doesn't allow the elite racers to compete in other events too close to race day. It's rarely an issue, because most top runners don't run as many marathons as Yuki does. But instead of withdrawing all together - as you imagine anyone else would - Yuki started in the championship pen with the club runners. Because that's exactly the sort of thing Yuki does. He is a legend. Oh, and he came 11th.

The massive amounts of money raised for charity

Last year's October London marathon raised an astonishing £58.3 million for charity, the highest figure since the 2019 pre-pandemic race. This year will - fingers crossed - top that again. It's part of what makes London the truly special experience that it is. Whether you are watching on TV, taking part yourself or supporting a friend or family member, you can't help but be moved by the individual stories you see, whether it's a runner with a 'this is for mum' bib pinned to their back, or a family holding a 'we are so proud of you' sign.