London Marathon 2026: your winning guide to dates, timings and how to enter

While it may still be several months away, tens of thousands of runners across the UK and beyond should be well into their training for the London Marathon 2026 by now. 

Covering 26.2 miles and shutting down roads left, right and centre, one of the world’s biggest running events will once again take over the city on Sunday April 26 2026. As ever, you can expect huge crowds of cheering spectators alongside hundreds of fancy-dress fundraisers and incredible elite athletes descending on central London for the occasion. 

Ahead of this year’s race, here’s everything you need to know to prepare for the London Marathon 2026, whether you’re a road-pounding pro or a newbie dressed as a stormtrooper. 

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What is the London Marathon?

Attracting professionals, celebrities and some truly ludicrous outfits, the London Marathon is a 26.2-mile race around the streets of London. Having first taken place in 1981, it has since become one of the key events in the city’s social calendar, attracting just as many supporters as participants, with a buzzing atmosphere whatever the weather.

In 2025, it officially became the biggest marathon event in the whole world, with more than 55,600 crossing the finish line.  

Where is the London Marathon?

The London Marathon route has remained largely unchanged since the event first began. It starts south of the Thames at Blackheath and passes through Greenwich before crossing the river over Tower Bridge. It then continues through central London before finishing in glory in front of Buckingham Palace. A full map of the route can be found here. 

If you’re out and about in the afternoon of marathon day, here are the best places to catch all the action and expect to see weary runners propping up the bar at pubs across the capital.

When is the 2026 London Marathon?

This year’s marathon is happening on Sunday, April 26.

How do I enter the London Marathon?

Sorry, you’re too late! The ballot for the London Marathon 2026 has already been and gone – people found out whether they were successful or not last July.

There are still charity places left, though. To secure one of those, you’ll have to pledge that you’ll raise a certain amount for your chosen organisation (be warned, the minimum required can often be in the thousands). 

Where can I watch coverage of the London Marathon?

Typically the race is streamed on big screens on Blackheath, where the tens of thousands of runners begin the race. Or, if you fancy watching from the comfort of your own home it’ll be live on BBC1 and BBC2, with coverage beginning before the first race starts. 

Which celebs and athletes are running the 2026 London Marathon?

There are normally a few famous faces among the marathon’s thousands of participants. We don’t know who will be taking part in 2026, but last year celebs included DJ Adele Roberts, comedian Romesh Ranganathan, McFly’s Harry Judd, social media exercise guy Joe Wicks and former Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews. If you’re curious, you can see what their times were here. 

We don’t know which elite athletes will be taking part yet, either. They’re likely to be announced closer to the main event but names to look out for include last year’s men’s and womens’ winners Sebastain Sawe and Tigst Assefa as well as leading British runners Mahamed Mahamed,  Alex Yee and Eilish McColgan. 

What time does the London Marathon start?

Every year, groups of racers set off at staggered times, starting with the wheelchair race. That’s followed by the elite women’s race, then the elite men’s race. While specific times haven’t been revealed yet, you can probably expect things to kick off from around 8.30am. 

After the elites, runners participating in the general race will set off in waves, depending on their predicted race time. Participants will be notified of their start wave around three weeks before the event. Spectators wishing to track loved ones as they embark on the race can do so via the London Marathon app.