The London Marathon 2026 is scheduled for Sunday, 26 April 2026.¹¹ Registration details, including ballot and charity entry options, are available on the official London Marathon website. The route will showcase London's iconic landmarks, offering a memorable experience for participants and spectators alike.¹³
Key Details of the London Marathon 2026
The London Marathon 2026 is one of the biggest UK running events of the year.¹¹ As one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, there are often elite athletes, charity participants, and thousands of amateur runners from all over the world. If you're thinking about running it, you should know the event’s schedule, registration process, and route details.
Date and Schedule
Runners start in staggered waves based on their expected finishing times. This means the quickest runners start first, with subsequent waves of runners starting later. Don't worry about starting later; your time is calculated according to your start time, not the race time.
TCS London Marathon
April 26, 2026 9:35 am
08:50 AM: Elite wheelchair races
09:05 AM: Elite women’s race
09:35 AM: Elite men’s race and the start of mass participation waves
Registration Process
There are several ways to register for the London Marathon. Many runners apply through the London Marathon ballot, which opens months before the race and receives hundreds of thousands of applicants, each with a slim chance of getting a bib. That said, if you're not successful in the ballot, there are still places for those who run for a charity or qualify through Good for Age and other runs across the country, like the lovely Edinburgh Marathon.
Ballot Entry
The London Marathon 2026 ballot is the main way to get a place for the race. The ballot opens months in advance and is very popular. With demand so high, many runners may apply multiple times before succeeding in a given year.¹
Charity Places
The easiest way to get a place for the London Marathon is to secure a charity place.⁹ For this, you have to commit money to a good cause. This means you have to raise a specific amount for the charity that provides the place, much like with charity places for the Manchester Marathon.
Good for Age and Championship Entries
Experienced runners may qualify through the Good for Age entry system.⁵ If they achieve a qualifying marathon time within their age category, they may get a place. This is a way for fast runners to bypass the ballot.
Route Overview
The London Marathon route goes through the capital.¹³ It passes some of the city's most famous landmarks. From historic neighbourhoods to modern landmarks, you'll see a lot of London by running it. The course starts in southeast London, winds through Greenwich, crosses the Thames, and heads into central London. If you like a view when running, the Brighton Marathon is recommended.
The London Marathon begins in Greenwich and nearby Blackheath, where thousands of runners gather before the race. The early miles pass through historic southeast London neighbourhoods.
One of the most iconic points on the course, runners pass the famous Cutty Sark ship in Greenwich while crowds gather to cheer participants early in the race.
Tower Bridge is one of the most recognisable landmarks along the London Marathon route. Crossing the bridge around the halfway mark is often considered a highlight for runners.
The route then loops through Canary Wharf, London's major financial district. The towering skyscrapers create a unique atmosphere before runners head back toward central London.
The course follows the River Thames along the Embankment, where spectators gather in large numbers to support runners during the final miles.
Near the end of the race, runners pass Westminster landmarks, including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, as they approach the finish line.
The London Marathon finishes on The Mall near Buckingham Palace, where runners complete the 26.2-mile race and receive their medals.
Preparing for the Marathon
Whether you're preparing for the London Marathon 2026 or any other marathon, you need consistent training, careful planning, and a good mindset. Whether this is your first or not, a structured training plan is essential, and it might be worthwhile completing a half-marathon like the Great Bristol Run. If you're raising money for charity, align your training with your fundraising efforts by running a campaign that parallels the effort you're putting into training, so donors can see all the hard work you're putting in.
Training Plans
There are plenty of training plans out there. Since everyone is different, it's important to find one that works for you and delivers the results you're looking for. Every minute you're running the marathon is just the tip of the iceberg for every hour you spent training for it. Generally, many runners aim for 12 to 16-week training plans that gradually build up the distance covered towards the middle, then taper off to allow you to recover before the big day.
| Week Range | Training Focus | Typical Long Run |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-4 | Build a consistent running routine and increase weekly mileage gradually | 6-10 miles |
| Weeks 5-8 | Improve endurance with longer runs and introduce tempo sessions | 10-14 miles |
| Weeks 9-12 | Peak training with structured workouts and longer long runs | 14-18 miles |
| Weeks 13-14 | Maximum endurance phase with race pace practice | 18-20 miles |
| Week 15 | Taper begins with reduced mileage | 10-12 miles |
| Week 16 | Race week preparation and recovery runs | 3-5 miles |
Fundraising Tips
With many runners attaining their bibs through charity places, they're obliged to raise a certain amount of money for their place.⁷ Luckily for you, there are plenty of ways to fundraise, including community events, online donation pages, and support from friends, family, and colleagues who want to help you reach your target. Start early and share your progress as much as you can to ensure you reach your goal. Here's a timeline to give you an idea of how runners tend to raise funds.
| Time Before Race | Fundraising Goal | Suggested Action |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months | Set fundraising target | Create fundraising page and announce marathon challenge |
| 4 months | Reach 25% of goal | Share training updates and promote your cause |
| 3 months | Reach 50% of goal | Organise community events or workplace fundraising |
| 1 month | Reach 75% of goal | Increase promotion on social media and email supporters |
| Race week | Reach 100% of goal | Final donation push and thank supporters |
Essential Gear and Nutrition
For long-distance running, you need to choose what to wear and what to consume. Across 42km, comfort, nutrition, and hydration are all essential. Every runner is different, but if it's your first marathon, prioritise comfort over performance when choosing your gear. Incredibly expensive shoes won't make you Eliud Kipchoge, and your first goal should be finishing the race before focusing on the time you do. If you train properly and adequately, you'll spend many, many hours running before the actual day. It's much better to use your longer training runs to get used to the equipment and nutrition rather than on the day. It's not recommended to try anything new on race day!
Race Day Information
The day can be fun and stressful. Once you're at the start, it's a wonderful event, but in the days before, you might be nervous about how much training you've done and what you should wear, eat, and drink on the day. The same is true if you're training for Cardiff, Brighton, Manchester, Edinburgh, or any other run. It's normal. To make things easier for you, here's some of the key information you need to know. Remember that it's all available on the official London Marathon site.
Participant Guidelines
Runners need to arrive at their assigned area before the race. There are three main start locations in Greenwich and Blackheath. Follow official instructions for the baggage drop, race numbers, and safety before the race. Pass your information along to friends, family, and sponsors so they can use the official race-tracking app to follow your progress.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Early morning | Runners arrive at start areas in Greenwich, Blackheath, or Maze Hill |
| Morning | Elite and championship runners begin the race |
| Mid morning | Mass participation waves begin |
| Midday onward | Majority of runners complete the course |
| Afternoon | Final finishers cross the line on The Mall |
Spectator Information
If you want to watch the London Marathon, you can on BBC television or in London itself. Popular viewing areas include Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, and the Embankment.⁶ If you really want to help somebody, go to support them in a quieter area of the race (if you can find one). You have no idea how much it can help to see a familiar face when you're struggling.
Elite Runners to Watch
The London Marathon is a great event to see top athletes. The world's fastest runners often compete. You'll see Olympic champions and world record holders competing to win it. While they'll be gone in a flash as they run past you, the 2026 race is expecting top athletes like Sabastian Sawe, Jacob Kiplimo, Joshua Cheptegei, and Tamirat Tola.
Sebastian Sawe
Jacob Kiplimo
Tamirat Tola
Post Race Details
Once you cross the finish line, you'll receive your medal and begin the gruelling recovery process. Even if you've smashed your training, you won't likely feel amazing physically afterwards. Be sure to hydrate, rest, and take on the appropriate nutrition.
Results and Awards
Shortly after the race, you can see the official London Marathon results.⁸ See your finishing time, split time, and position overall and within your age group.
Recovery and Aftercare
Recovery is essential after a marathon. Every runner does it differently, and even if your training covered everything, you may feel like you've been hit by a bus by the end of 42km and probably the same for your first half-marathon, too. Here are a few tips to help you recover.
Drink water or electrolyte drinks soon after finishing the race to replace fluids lost during the marathon.
Gentle walking after crossing the finish line helps circulation and can reduce muscle stiffness later in the day.
Consuming carbohydrates and protein within a few hours of finishing can help replenish energy and support muscle recovery.
Light stretching can help relieve tight muscles after running 26.2 miles.
Many runners take several days of rest or light activity before returning to training or running again.
References
- “Ballot Results: What You Need to Know.” London Marathon Events, https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/ballot-results-what-you-need-know. Accessed 7 March. 2026.
- “Championship Entry.” London Marathon Events, https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/championship-entry. Accessed 7 March. 2026.
- “Enter the Ballot.” London Marathon Events, https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/enter-ballot. Accessed 7 March. 2026.
- “Get to Know Our Charity of the Year.” London Marathon Events, https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/get-know-our-charity-year. Accessed 7 March. 2026.
- “Good for Age Entry.” London Marathon Events, https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/good-age-entry. Accessed 7 March. 2026.
- “London Marathon Spectator Guide.” London Marathon Events, https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/london-marathon-spectator-guide. Accessed 7 March. 2026.
- “London Marathon Sets Fundraising Record with £87.3m.” Reuters, 22 October 2025, https://www.reuters.com/sports/london-marathon-sets-fundraising-record-with-873m-2025-10-22/. Accessed 7 March. 2026.
- “Results.” London Marathon Events, https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/results. Accessed 7 March. 2026.
- “Run for Charity.” London Marathon Events, https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/run-charity. Accessed 7 March. 2026.
- “Start Training.” London Marathon Events, https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/start-training. Accessed 7 March. 2026.
- “TCS London Marathon.” London Marathon Events, https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon. Accessed 7 March. 2026.
- “TCS London Marathon 2026.” Marie Curie, https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/get-involved/charity-events/running/london-marathon. Accessed 7 March. 2026.
- “The Course.” London Marathon Events, https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-marathon/course. Accessed 7 March. 2026.
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