<p><br /> Tens of thousands of runners including a Princess and an assortment of celebrities gathered in the pouring rain for the start of the London Marathon.<br /> </p><p><br /> Up to 36,000 athletes were expected to finish the 26.2-mile course after pounding through the streets of the capital to earn their marathon medals and raise money for countless charities.<br /> </p><p><br /> At the start line celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, running his 11th marathon in 11 years, said he was "nervous and excited".<br /> </p><p><br /> GMTV presenter Lorraine Kelly said: "I'm really nervous about it. I'm just going to do my best. I'm determined to do it so fingers crossed. I don't know how long it will take. I'm just hoping to get around."<br /> </p><p><br /> Princess Beatrice, 21, is aiming to become the first royal to complete the route as she joins a "human caterpillar" of 34 runners.<br /> </p><p><br /> The team will be strung together two by two with bungee cords in an attempt to beat the record for the most people to finish a marathon while tied together.<br /> </p><p><br /> The caterpillar is headed up by Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson's children, Holly and Sam. And this year Virgin has taken over sponsorship of the event for the first time.<br /> </p>
