Going against the traditionally strict invitational criteria for the elite races , an additional nine Japanese women were a late addition to the field . A 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami struck Tōhoku region of Japan meant that the Nagoya International Women 's Marathon ( a qualifier for the 2011 World Championships ) was cancelled and a sympathetic agreement between the London race organisers and the Japan Association of Athletics Federations resulted in London taking the role of the cancelled Nagoya race
9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2011 London Marathon