For optimal video performance, please use the Chrome browser. Since its inception in 1981, the London Marathon has become a staple in the sporting calendar, raising over £1.4 billion for charitable causes. As one of the prestigious Abbott World Marathon majors, it joins the ranks of Tokyo, Boston, Berlin, Chicago, New York City, and Sydney in hosting a 26.2-mile (42.2km) race. Traditionally held in April, the event was rescheduled 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 mass event begin at 9:35 am.
The 2026 route adheres to the traditional course, with runners starting at separate color-coded points (Red, Blue, Green) in either Greenwich Park or Blackheath. By Mile 3, near Charlton, the routes converge into a single path, proceeding through Woolwich, the Thames, and the Cutty Sark, before passing through Deptford, Surrey Quays, and Rotherhithe, reaching the 20km mark around London Bridge. The course then heads east toward Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs, loops back toward Shadwell and Wapping, and passes Tower Hill, proceeding along the Embankment.
Runners will have the London Eye to their left and Big Ben ahead as they approach Westminster, passing St James' Park and Buckingham Palace before finishing at The Mall. A detailed course map is available. A record number of participants is expected, following a world record 1.13 million ballot applications, with over 59,000 runners anticipated at the starting line. The 2025 event saw a record 56,640 finishers, surpassed only by the TCS New York City Marathon, which had 59,226 finishers in November.
Sebastian Vettel, a four-time Formula One champion, is running for the Brain & Spine Foundation and the Grand Prix Trust. Legendary jockey Sir Anthony McCoy will tackle his first marathon for the Matt Hampson Foundation.
Olympians Dame Laura Kenny and Sir Ben Ainslie are also participating, along with Tony Adams, Sir Alastair Cook, and Laura Robson. Daddy Pig from Peppa Pig will participate in a specially designed costume, both in real life and on screen. Celebrities such as Jack O'Connell, James Norton, and Harry Judd are also scheduled to participate.
A full list of celebrity runners is available. Sir Mo Farah and Ellie Kildunne will serve as the official starters for the 2026 edition. Previous starters include Queen Elizabeth II, Sir Andy Murray, and Dame Kelly Holmes.
The elite races feature all four defending champions, with the official start list available. Assefa leads the women's field after breaking the women-only record last year, although Sifan Hassan has withdrawn due to an injury. The men's elite race is expected to be closely contested between Sawe and Jacob Kiplimo, with Deresa Geleta and Amos Kipruto also challenging for victory. Hug aims to equal David Weir's record as the most successful athlete in London Marathon history, while Debrunner returns to the women's wheelchair race.
Sunday's weather forecast indicates dry conditions, with sunny intervals and light winds, and temperatures ranging from 10°C (50°F) at the start to 17°C (63°F) by mid-afternoon. The men's course record was set by Kelvin Kiptum in 2023, while Assefa won the women's event in a record time last year. Hug has won the men's wheelchair race five consecutive times, and Debrunner has won the women's wheelchair event three times in the last four years. Hundreds of thousands of spectators will line the streets, with areas around the Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, and Canary Wharf expected to be particularly crowded.
The TCS London Marathon app provides regular updates on runner progress, allowing users to track participants by name or bib number. The next London Marathon will take place on Sunday, April 25, 2027, with the public ballot opening on Friday, April 24, and closing on Friday, May 1.