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The London Marathon is taking place this weekend. And whether you’re running the race, cheering someone on or just a Londoner planning on being anywhere near the city centre, you’ll want to know about the road closures caused by the event. As always, large swathes of the centre of town will be shut off to vehicles, with some roads shut for the entire weekend.
The race starts at Blackheath and finishes on the The Mall, winding its way around places like Woolwich and the Isle of Dogs. Across the 26.2 miles, runners will take in sights ranging from the Tower of London and Tower Bridge to Big Ben and the London Eye.
Needless to say, the London Marathon is also very disruptive for drivers in the city. Across the weekend – but mostly on Sunday – various roads will be shut. Here’s our definitive guide to which roads will be closed this weekend and when.
RECOMMENDED: London travel disruption this weekend – full list of tube and train closures for April 25-26 2026.
When is the 2026 London Marathon?
The race will take place on Sunday April 26 2026.
All the best freebies and perks runners can claim for completing this year’s London Marathon.
What time does the London Marathon 2026 start?
This year’s race starts at 8.50am with the elite wheelchair races. Non-elite runners will start at 9.30am, with the last wave starting 11.30am.
Find a full list of wave start times here.
What time does the London Marathon 2026 end?
Each participant has eight hours to finish the marathon. The last runners will therefore have to be done by 7.30pm.
Which roads are closed for the London Marathon 2026?
Here are all the roads that will shut for this year’s race, split by area.
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square and surrounding roads will shut on Sunday April 26 from 7.30am to 10pm. The closures will impact Whitehall, Pall Mall East, Cockspur Street, Strand westbound (entire road), Strand eastbound (between Trafalgar Square and Bedford Street), Charing Cross Road (between Strand and William IV Street) and Duncannon Street.
Westminster
The Mall and Marlborough Road are closed from 5am on Thursday April 23 until 6pm on Monday April 27.
Spring Gardens, Spur Road, Constitution Hill, Horse Guards Road and Birdcage Wake (eastbound) will also be closed all weekend, from 6am on Friday April 24 to 6am on Monday April 27.
Birdcage Walk (westbound) will shut at 6am on Saturday April 25 and reopen at 6am on Monday April 27.
Queen Anne’s Gate will be shut on Sunday April 26 between Broadway and the entrance to St James’ Park from 11am to 6pm. Victoria Embankment and Parliament Square will also shut from 7.30am to 10pm.
Westcombe Park / Woolwich
A section of Shooters Hill Road and Charlton Way will close from 4am on Sunday April 26 so that the start area can be set up.
Little Heath, Artillery Place and John Wilson Street will shut from on Sunday April 26 from 7am to 2.30pm.
The following roads will shut at 7am and are expected to reopen by 3pm: Shooters Hill Road, St Johns Park, Old Dover Road, Charlton Way, Vanbrugh Park, Charlton Road, Charlton Park Road, Charlton Park Lane, Woolwich Church Street and Woolwich Road (A206).
Find a road closures map for Westcombe Park here.
Greenwich
From 7am to 4pm on Sunday April 26, the likes of Trafalgar Road, Romney Road and Creek Road will be shut in Greenwich.
Greenwich road closures map here.
Canary Wharf
Montgomery Street, Water Street and Charter Street will shut on Sunday April 26 from 8am until 8.30pm.
The following roads will also be shut from 6am to 8am:
- Eastbound traffic on North Colonnade between Westferry Circus and Upper Bank Street
- Northbound traffic on Upper Bank Street between South Colonnade and Aspen Way
Canary Wharf road closures map here.
Rotherhithe
From 8am to 4pm on Sunday April 26, roads will be shut in Rotherhithe, including Evelyn Street, Lower Road, Surrey Quays Road, Quebec Way, Salter Road, Brunel Road and Jamaica Road.
Rotherhithe road closures map here.
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge will shut on Sunday April 26 from 8am to 8.30pm.
Isle of Dogs
The Isle of Dogs will be closed to traffic on Sunday April 26 from 8am to 8.30pm.
Isle of Dogs road closures map here.
Poplar
Poplar High Street will be closed on Sunday April 26 from 8am to 8.30pm.
Wapping
In Wapping, the Highway will be shut both ways on Sunday April 26 from 8am to 8.30pm. A vehicle crossing point will be closed at Glamis Road from 9.05am to 6.30pm.
Wapping road closures map here.
City of London
Byward Street, Upper Thames Street and Lower Thames Street will be shut on Sunday April 26 from 7.30am to 9pm
Route map
Find out more about this year’s route here.
Other closures
The Greenwich Foot Tunnel will be one-way only (south to north) on Sunday April 26 from 10am to 12.30pm.
London Underground on marathon day
Expect the tube in the city centre (particularly around popular spectator points – more on that below) to be extremely busy. Consider walking to a stop further away from the marathon, if you can.
London buses on marathon day
Buses that travel on roads affected by closures will be diverted, or they may stop short of their usual destination.
Santander Cycles during the London Marathon
Docking stations for Santander Cycles bikes that are on the marathon route (or on any closed roads) will be suspended.
The best places to watch the London Marathon 2026
The marathon website recommends the following viewpoints for spectators:
- Cutty Sark (6.5 miles)
- Canada Water (9 miles)
- Bermondsey (11.5 miles)
- Tower Bridge (13 miles)
- Canary Wharf and Heron Quays (miles 18 and 19)
- Limehouse (21 miles)
- Tower Hill (23 miles)
- Westminster (26 miles)
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