The London Marathon has been a staple of the global running calendar since its inaugural edition in 1981, and over the past four decades it has generated more than £1.4 billion for charitable causes. As one of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors – alongside Tokyo, Boston, Berlin, Chicago, New York City and, starting in 2025, Sydney – it occupies a privileged spot in the world of long‑distance racing. Traditionally staged in April, the event was temporarily shifted to October for the 2020‑2022 editions because of the COVID‑19 pandemic, but it will return to its spring slot for 2026. **Start times and wheelchair race** The 2026 wheelchair competition will kick off at 08:50 am on Sunday, followed closely by the women’s elite field at 09:05 am.
The men’s elite race and the mass‑participation start are scheduled for 09:35 am, giving spectators a full morning of world‑class performances. All participants begin from colour‑coded corrals – red, blue and green – located in either Greenwich Park or Blackheath.
By the third mile, near Charlton, the three streams converge onto a single path that leads the runners through historic Woolwich and past the iconic Cutty Sark. **The classic London route** From Woolwich the course heads east, weaving through Deptford, Surrey Quays and Rotherhithe before reaching the 20‑kilometre landmark near London Bridge. Runners then swing north‑east toward the gleaming skyscrapers of Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs, before looping back through the lively neighbourhoods of Shadwell and Wapping.
The route continues past Tower Hill, skirts the banks of the Thames at Blackfriars, and follows the Embankment where the London Eye looms to the left and the chimes of Big Ben can be heard ahead. Approaching Westminster, athletes pass the historic houses of Parliament and then make their way toward St James’s Park. The final stretch takes them past Buckingham Palace and down The Mall, culminating in a finish line that has become one of the most photographed moments in sport.
A detailed map of the course is available on the official marathon website for those who want to study every turn. **Record‑breaking entry numbers** Organisers expect a historic turnout this year.
After a world‑record 1.13 million ballot applications, more than 59,000 runners are slated to line up at the start. The 2025 edition saw 56,640 finishers, a figure that held the world record until the TCS New York City Marathon eclipsed it with 59,226 finishers in November. The sheer scale of participation underscores the marathon’s reputation as a charitable powerhouse and a bucket‑list event for amateur athletes worldwide.
**Celebrity buzz: Is Harry Styles running?** The official celebrity start list does not include pop star Harry Styles, but speculation remains high. Styles captured headlines last year when he broke the three‑hour barrier at the Berlin Marathon and previously tackled the Tokyo Marathon in 2025. Fans continue to hope for a surprise entry, given his demonstrated love of long‑distance running. **Other high‑profile participants** Four‑time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel is in the field to raise money for the Brain & Spine Foundation and the Grand Prix Trust.
Legendary jockey Sir Anthony (AP) McCoy will attempt his first marathon on behalf of the Matt Hampson Foundation. Olympians Dame Laura Kenny (supporting The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust) and Sir Ben Ainslie (backing the 1851 Trust) are also confirmed, alongside former Arsenal captain Tony Adams (The Forward Trust), ex‑England cricketer Sir Alastair Cook (the Ruth Strauss Foundation) and tennis star Laura Robson (Give It Your Max). Cartoon icon Daddy Pig will appear both on‑screen and on the streets, with a costumed runner representing the National Deaf Children’s Society and a forthcoming episode of *Peppa Pig* featuring the marathon. Actors Jack O’Connell (Alzheimer’s Research UK), James Norton (Breakthrough T1D) and McFly drummer Harry Judd are also slated to run, and a full celebrity roster can be consulted on the marathon’s website.
**Starters and past legends** Sir Mo Farah and England rugby star Ellie Kildunne will fire the starting pistol for the 2026 race. Farah returns after retiring from athletics in 2024, while Kildunne, fresh from England’s Six Nations clash with Wales, brings rugby prestige to the event. Past starters have included Queen Elizabeth II, Sir Andy Murray, Lionesses captain Leah Williamson OBE, Jill Scott MBE, Ellen White MBE, Sir Steve Redgrave and Dame Kelly Holmes, illustrating the marathon’s cross‑generational appeal.
**Elite competition** All four defending champions are back: Sebastian Sawe (men’s elite), Tigist Assefa (women’s elite), Marcel Hug (men’s wheelchair) and Catherine Debrunner (women’s wheelchair). Assefa entered the 2026 race as the favourite after shattering the women‑only world record en route to her 2025 victory, though Olympic champion Sifan Hassan withdrew with an Achilles injury.
The men’s race is expected to be a tactical showdown between Sawe and Jacob Kiplimo, who set the half‑marathon world record earlier this year, with Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta and Kenya’s Amos Kipruto also in contention. In the wheelchair division, Marcel Hug aims to equal Sir David Weir’s record of six London Marathon wins, while Catherine Debrunner seeks a fourth title after missing the course record by just two seconds last year. **Weather forecast** Meteorologists predict a dry day with intermittent sunshine and light breezes.
Temperatures should start around 10 °C (50 °F) at the opening gun and climb to a comfortable 17 °C (63 °F) by mid‑afternoon, conditions that many runners consider ideal for a fast time. **Course records** Kelvin Kiptum holds the men’s overall record, set in 2023 with a time of 2:01:25. Tigist Assefa’s 2025 performance of 2:15:50 remains the women’s benchmark. In the wheelchair categories, Hug has dominated the men’s race for five consecutive years, establishing a new course record in 2023, while Debrunner has claimed three of the last four women’s titles.
**Spectator experience** Hundreds of thousands of fans line the streets, creating a festival atmosphere. The sections around the Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf are especially crowded, offering runners a roaring soundtrack as they pass. The official TCS London Marathon app provides real‑time tracking, allowing friends and family to follow any participant by name or bib number.
**Looking ahead** The next edition of the marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 25 April 2027. The public ballot for the 2027 race opens at 09:00 am on Friday, 24 April, and closes at 16:00 pm on Friday, 1 May, giving hopeful entrants a narrow window to secure a coveted place in the world’s most celebrated charity race.