Get Ready for the London Marathon: Celebrity Runners Revealed

For the best viewing experience, please use the Chrome browser. The London Marathon, a staple in the sporting calendar since its inception in 1981, has raised over £1.4 billion for charity. As one of the prestigious Abbott World Marathon majors, it stands alongside notable races in Tokyo, Boston, Berlin, Chicago, New York City, and Sydney. Traditionally held in April, the event was postponed to October from 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year's wheelchair race commences at 8:50 am on Sunday, followed by the women's elite race at 9:05 am. The men's elite race and the mass event start at 9:35 am. The 2026 route adheres to tradition, with runners from separate color-coded starts (Red, Blue, Green) in Greenwich Park or Blackheath merging into a single route near Charlton by Mile 3. The course then proceeds through Woolwich, the Thames, and the Cutty Sark, before heading towards Deptford, Surrey Quays, and Rotherhithe, passing the 20km mark around London Bridge. The route then heads east towards Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs, loops back towards Shadwell and Wapping, and passes Tower Hill before proceeding along the Embankment. Runners will have the London Eye to their left and Big Ben ahead as they pass Westminster towards St James' Park, finally concluding at The Mall after passing Buckingham Palace. A detailed view of the course is available. A record number of participants is expected, following a world record 1.13 million ballot applications, with over 59,000 people anticipated at the start line. The 2025 race saw a record 56,640 finishers, which was the world record until the TCS New York City Marathon had 59,226 finishers last November. Sebastian Vettel, a four-time Formula One world champion, is running for the Brain & Spine Foundation and the Grand Prix Trust. Legendary jockey Sir Anthony McCoy is tackling his first marathon for the Matt Hampson Foundation. Olympians Dame Laura Kenny and Sir Ben Ainslie are also participating, alongside former Arsenal and England captain Tony Adams, ex-England cricketer Sir Alastair Cook, and Laura Robson. Daddy Pig from the children's TV show Peppa Pig will participate in real life and on screen, with a runner wearing a specially designed costume. Other notable participants include Skins actor Jack O'Connell, House of Guinness star James Norton, and McFly drummer Harry Judd. A full list of celebrity runners is available. Sporting icons Sir Mo Farah and Ellie Kildunne will be the official starters for the 2026 edition. Previous starters include Queen Elizabeth II, Sir Andy Murray, and Lionesses Leah Williamson OBE, Jill Scott MBE, and Ellen White MBE. The elite races feature all four defending champions, with the official elite start list available. Assefa leads the women's field after breaking the women-only record last year, although Olympic champion Sifan Hassan has withdrawn due to an Achilles injury. The elite men's race is expected to be a close contest between Sawe and Jacob Kiplimo, who set the half-marathon world record earlier this year. Conditions are expected to be dry for Sunday's race, with sunny intervals and light winds throughout the day. Temperatures will be around 10 degrees Celsius (50F) at the start, rising to 17 degrees (63F) by mid-afternoon. The late Kelvin Kiptum set the men's course record in 2023, while Assefa won in a record time last year. Hug has won the men's wheelchair race five years running, setting the course record in 2023. Hundreds of thousands of spectators will line the streets of London, with the busiest areas around the Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, and Canary Wharf. The TCS London Marathon app provides updates on runners at regular intervals. The next edition of the London Marathon will take place on Sunday, April 25th, 2027. The public ballot for the 2027 edition is scheduled to open from 9 am on Friday, April 24th, until 4 pm on Friday, May 1st.