TCS London Marathon 2026: Everything You Need to Know

The TCS London Marathon is one of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors and, by most measures, the most subscribed road race on earth. A record 1,133,813 people entered the ballot for the 2026 edition — a figure that underlines both the scale of demand and the difficulty of securing a place. The race takes place on Sunday, 26 April 2026, starting in Greenwich and Blackheath and finishing on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace. Whether you have already secured your entry or are planning ahead for a future year, this guide covers everything you need for race week and beyond.

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How to Enter

Entry to the London Marathon follows several distinct routes, each with its own timing and eligibility requirements. The public ballot opens for approximately one week in late April each year, immediately after the previous race. For 2026, the ballot opened on 25 April 2025 and closed on 2 May 2025, with results emailed to applicants in June 2025. Successful UK-based ballot entrants pay an entry fee of £79.99; international runners pay £225.

For those who missed the ballot, charity places remain the most accessible route into the race. Around half of all finishers run on behalf of a charity, committing to a minimum fundraising target — typically £2,000 or more, depending on the organisation. Runners should approach charities directly, as places and conditions vary considerably.

Faster runners may qualify through the Good for Age scheme, which is open to UK residents who have run a qualifying time at a certified event. For 2026, the qualifying window ran from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025, with 6,000 places available on a first-come, first-served basis. A separate Championship Entry is available to registered members of UK Athletics clubs who have run elite qualifying times, with 1,000 places capped at 500 men and 500 women.

International runners who are not UK residents may secure guaranteed entry through official tour operators. The London Marathon maintains a list of authorised operators by region at londonmarathonevents.co.uk.

The minimum age for all marathon distances is 18 years on race day.

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The Course

The London Marathon route has remained largely unchanged since the inaugural race in 1981. Starting from Greenwich Park and Blackheath, runners pass the Cutty Sark at around the 10km mark, cross Tower Bridge at roughly the halfway point, loop through the Isle of Dogs and Canary Wharf, then return along the Embankment through Blackfriars Underpass before turning north to finish on The Mall. The final stretch past the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and Buckingham Palace is among the most photographed finishes in distance running.

The course is certified flat, with a total elevation gain of 119-138 metres, negligible by marathon standards. There are no sustained climbs; the modest undulations are scattered across the route and unlikely to affect race plans. Average April temperatures in London range from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius, making conditions generally favourable for fast times. In 2025, Tigist Assefa set a women-only world record of 2:15:50 in the women’s race.

The race uses a triple start system — Red, Green, and Blue start areas — each with eight zones numbered by predicted finish time. Runners receive their start colour and zone at the expo when they collect their race pack. The three streets merge after approximately three miles. Organisers note that the official course map is subject to confirmation closer to race day; the 2026 route is expected to follow the 2025 alignment.

Get the GPX route file and join the TCS London Marathon STRAVA Club

For a visual course map and full route breakdown, visit the official course page: londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/course.

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Start Times and Wave Structure

Based on the 2025 schedule, which is expected to be replicated in 2026, the start order is as follows:

• 08:50 — Elite wheelchair races (men and women)
• 09:05 — Elite women’s race
• 09:35 — Elite men’s race and mass start

Runners should be in their start pens well before the mass start. Coaches depart from designated hotels from approximately 07:00. Confirmed timings for 2026 will be published in the official participant guide issued closer to race day. The cut-off time is eight hours from the mass start; runners who fall behind the required pace may be asked to continue on the pavement as roads reopen.

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The Expo and Bib Collection

All runners must collect their race pack in person at the TCS London Marathon Running Show, held at ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock, E16 1XL. The nearest station is Custom House, served by both the Docklands Light Railway and the Elizabeth line.

The Running Show runs from Wednesday 22 to Saturday 25 April 2026. Opening hours are 10:00 to 20:00 Wednesday through Friday, and 08:30 to 17:30 on Saturday. Race packs cannot be collected on race day itself. Wednesday and Thursday are considerably quieter than Friday and Saturday; runners who have flexibility should attend early in the week to avoid queues. Beyond bib collection, the event functions as the UK’s largest dedicated running expo, with over one hundred exhibitors, product launches, and a programme of guest speakers.

In a change from previous years, limited proxy collection is available; full details will be published in the official participant guide, which will be emailed to all entrants. Runners may also pre-order personalised name printing at the show for £14, bookable via the official website.

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Race Day Transport

Runners holding a valid race bib are entitled to free travel on Transport for London services throughout race day. Given the extensive road closures and heavy foot traffic across South and Central London, public transport is by far the most practical option. Driving to the start or finish is not viable.

Road closures take effect from 07:00 and affect a wide corridor from Greenwich through to Westminster. Bus routes across the affected area will be diverted or suspended; TfL publishes confirmed changes at tfl.gov.uk in the weeks before race day. Tube stations in Greenwich and Blackheath are typically very busy before the start, and some stations may impose temporary access restrictions at peak times. Runners and supporters should allow significantly more time than they expect and plan alternative routes in advance.

Full road closure details are published by the organiser at tcslondonmarathon.com/the-event/road-closures.

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Spectator Guide

The London Marathon attracts around 750,000 spectators along the route, making it one of the largest single-day spectator events in the world. The best viewing points are concentrated at a handful of landmark locations: the Cutty Sark at around 10km, Tower Bridge at the halfway point, the Canary Wharf loop between miles 18 and 20, and the Embankment in the final miles. Each of these areas generates substantial crowds and an atmosphere that runners consistently describe as transformative. At the busiest spots, supporters should expect waits of up to 90 minutes to board trains during peak periods.

Supporters who cannot attend in person can follow runners via the official race app. The TCS London Marathon app is available on both iOS and Android and provides live GPS tracking, split updates at the 10km, halfway, and 30km marks, and finish alerts. The app also carries an interactive course map and spectator route planner. BBC One broadcasts live coverage from 08:30, with a Tower Bridge livestream on BBC iPlayer from 10:30 and a finish line stream from 12:30. Highlights are broadcast on BBC Two from 18:00.

Family reunion after the race takes place in the alphabetically signposted areas along Horse Guards Road and Horse Guards Parade. Mobile signal at the finish area is unreliable due to crowd density; agree a meeting point in advance.

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Where to Stay

Demand for central London accommodation over the marathon weekend is high and prices rise steeply as race day approaches. Booking as early as possible is advisable. The official participant hotel provider is Marathon Tours and Travel, which offers packages near the start or finish line — details are available at marathontours.com.

Runners prioritising proximity to the finish on The Mall will find Trafalgar Square and Westminster well-positioned. Those who prefer to be close to the start area in Blackheath or Greenwich face a longer journey into central London but benefit from an easier race-morning commute. The following properties are consistently recommended by previous participants:

• The Trafalgar St. James, London (Hilton) — Directly on Trafalgar Square, a short walk from the finish on The Mall.
• Park Plaza Westminster Bridge — On the South Bank, within easy reach of the finish and well-served by the Jubilee line.
• Novotel London Greenwich — For runners prioritising proximity to the start line in Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
• Canary Wharf Marriott — Useful for watching the Canary Wharf loop section mid-race before heading to the finish.
• citizenM London Bankside — Compact, well-reviewed, and centrally located between the course and the finish.

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Around the City

The London Marathon weekend draws many runners from outside the capital, and the city offers extensive options for the day before or after the race. For those travelling with partners or family, the weekend coincides with good spring weather and quieter tourist sites on the Sunday morning when central London’s roads are closed.

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Post-Finish

After crossing the finish line on The Mall, runners are directed through a clearly marked recovery corridor where they receive their finisher’s medal and race pack. Bag collection lorries are located in the finish area, organised by the bag drop number printed on each runner’s bib. Crossing the line and exiting the race area typically takes 20 to 30 minutes, and runners should factor this into any plans to meet supporters. Mobile signal is frequently poor in the finish area due to the density of 50,000-plus finishers in a concentrated space.

Family and supporters meeting runners should go to the alphabetically signposted areas on Horse Guards Road. Agree on a specific letter zone and backup plan in advance. Several bars and restaurants in the Trafalgar Square and Embankment area offer post-race deals for runners presenting their medal or bib; these are confirmed closer to race day.

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Watching From Afar

The 2026 TCS London Marathon will be broadcast live in the UK on BBC One, with coverage beginning at 08:30. A live Tower Bridge camera feed is available on BBC iPlayer from 10:30, and the finish line stream from 12:30. A highlights programme airs on BBC Two from 18:00. International broadcast arrangements vary by territory; check BBC Sport for confirmed scheduling at bbc.co.uk/sport.

Official mass participant results are published online via the results portal at results.tcslondonmarathon.com and are searchable by name or bib number. Results are not emailed individually.

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Race Results

The official results pages for previous editions are maintained at londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/results. Elite winning times for the past three years are as follows:

Year	Men’s Winner	Time	Women’s Winner	Time
2025	Sebastian Sawe (KEN)	2:02:25	Tigist Assefa (ETH)*	2:15:50
2024	Alexander Mutiso Munyao (KEN)	2:04:01	Peres Jepchirchir (KEN)*	2:16:16
2023	Kelvin Kiptum (KEN)	2:01:25	Sifan Hassan (NED)	2:18:33

* Denotes women’s-only world record at time of running.

The 2025 race set a Guinness World Record for the largest number of finishers in a marathon, with 56,640 runners crossing the line.

Other News and Tips

A planned 2-day event with approximately double the capacity is planned for 2027

For those over 40 consider an ECG monitor for your heart health before and durng the race.

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Race Day Tips

Arrive at the start early and dressed for the cold. April mornings in Greenwich can be significantly colder than the race-day forecast suggests. Bring an old layer to discard at the start line; these are collected for reuse or recycling.

Do not rely solely on the course gels. Lucozade Sport is available at miles 9, 15, 21 and 23; water is available every two miles. Runners who have trained with specific nutrition should carry their own gels rather than switching products on race day.

Treat the first half with restraint. The atmosphere on the London course, particularly through the Cutty Sark and across Tower Bridge, generates a surge of adrenaline that can push pace well beyond target. The section through the Isle of Dogs between miles 14 and 20 is the least supported part of the course, and where underpaced runners typically pay the price.

Plan your supporter meeting in advance. Agree on a specific alphabetical zone on Horse Guards Road before the race. Mobile signal at the finish is unreliable and cannot be relied upon for coordination.

Confirm your transport plan the night before. Check TfL for any last-minute service changes and set your alarm accordingly. The free travel entitlement with your bib makes the Tube and DLR your best options from most of the city.

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Further Information

• Official race website: londonmarathonevents.co.uk
• Entry and ballot information: londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/enter-ballot
• Official participant guide: londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/participant-guide
• Course information: londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/course
• Road closures: tcslondonmarathon.com/the-event/road-closures
• Results portal: results.tcslondonmarathon.com
• Transport for London race day updates: tfl.gov.uk
• BBC Sport coverage: bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/london-marathon
• Spectator guide: londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/spectator-guide

 

Last Updated on 1 April 2026 by the5krunner