About 15,000 people joined in a race at the Olympic Stadium today to celebrate the financial contribution of the National Lottery to London 2012. Not only could they take part in the five-mile run in such an iconic setting but they could do so alongside Olympics heroes such as Victoria Pendleton and Sir Chris Hoy.
The race was the first event at the stadium since London 2012 drew to a close and competitors ran close to many of the main sporting venues, including the velodrome at which Pendleton won a gold for the women's keirin event.
Pendleton was effectively banned from running for 15 years in case she injured herself during her cycling career - but after retiring last year she was free to move from two wheels to two legs.
Another cycling medal star, Sir Chris Hoy, started the race, which saw Pendleton on the starting line with Spice Girl Mel C and distance runner Paula Radcliffe, who was making a return to the track.
Pendleton was delighted with her time of 36.43 and the race in general.
"It was good. I tried to pace it quite slowly but to get under 40 minutes was really good," she said.
"It's hard to get into your stride because you're having to sidestep people."
But her interest in running is unlikely to extend to a marathon.
"I'd rather run smaller distances, faster," she added.
