London Marathon

London, United Kingdom 26 Apr, 2026

The London Marathon is a major road race held annually in London, England, covering a distance of approximately 42.195 kilometers (26.219 miles) in a point-to-point format around the River Thames. The course is known for its largely flat profile, with a total elevation gain of about 122 meters (400 feet).

The route begins at three distinct starting points in the southeast of the city: the Red Start on Charlton Way in southern Greenwich Park, the Green Start in St John’s Park, and the Blue Start on Shooter’s Hill Road near Blackheath. These starting groups merge after about 4.5 kilometers in Woolwich, helping to accommodate the race’s large field of participants.

The course then winds through several neighborhoods and passes notable London landmarks:
– Charlton, Woolwich, and Greenwich, including the historic Cutty Sark at around mile seven.
– Deptford, Surrey Quays, Rotherhithe, and Bermondsey.
– Runners cross Tower Bridge around the halfway point, a recognizable feature both for participants and spectators.
– The route continues east through Wapping, Limehouse, Mudchute, and Canary Wharf in the Isle of Dogs, and then heads west along Embankment, passing near landmarks like St James’s Park and Buckingham Palace before finishing on The Mall, a wide avenue in central London.

Race navigation is supported by mile markers and timing splits, with official competitor results reflecting kilometer segments. Spectator hotspots include the Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, and St James’s Park, which are popular viewing points due to the crowd atmosphere and proximity to iconic locations.

The event regularly attracts large numbers of entrants; for example, in 2025, there were reportedly 840,000 applicants, reflecting its scale and international appeal. Each year, an expo is hosted at ExCel London for participants to collect race materials and interact with vendors prior to competition.

Overall, the London Marathon is recognized for its accessible urban course, logistical coordination with three starting lines, and passage through culturally and historically significant sections of London. The widespread public support along the route and the organization for large crowds are distinguishing features of the event.

Generic Marathon Time This represents the time you would expect to run a "generic" marathon in. This is a marathon with around 250 m (800 ft) of elevation gain and a temperature around 10°C (50°F). For best results, use our Race Predictor.

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London Marathon Time


Statistics

Elevation
Elevation Gain 127 m 417 ft
Elevation Low 1 m 3 ft
Elevation High 56 m 184 ft
Weather
Expected Temperature (Low) 5°C 40°F
Expected Temperature (High) 14°C 58°F
Chance of Rain 7%

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The London Marathon is a major road race held annually in London, England, covering a distance of approximately 42.195 kilometers (26.219 miles) in a point-to-point format around the River Thames. The course is known for its largely flat profile, with a total elevation gain of about 122 meters (400 feet).

The route begins at three distinct starting points in the southeast of the city: the Red Start on Charlton Way in southern Greenwich Park, the Green Start in St John’s Park, and the Blue Start on Shooter’s Hill Road near Blackheath. These starting groups merge after about 4.5 kilometers in Woolwich, helping to accommodate the race’s large field of participants.

The course then winds through several neighborhoods and passes notable London landmarks:
– Charlton, Woolwich, and Greenwich, including the historic Cutty Sark at around mile seven.
– Deptford, Surrey Quays, Rotherhithe, and Bermondsey.
– Runners cross Tower Bridge around the halfway point, a recognizable feature both for participants and spectators.
– The route continues east through Wapping, Limehouse, Mudchute, and Canary Wharf in the Isle of Dogs, and then heads west along Embankment, passing near landmarks like St James’s Park and Buckingham Palace before finishing on The Mall, a wide avenue in central London.

Race navigation is supported by mile markers and timing splits, with official competitor results reflecting kilometer segments. Spectator hotspots include the Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, and St James’s Park, which are popular viewing points due to the crowd atmosphere and proximity to iconic locations.

The event regularly attracts large numbers of entrants; for example, in 2025, there were reportedly 840,000 applicants, reflecting its scale and international appeal. Each year, an expo is hosted at ExCel London for participants to collect race materials and interact with vendors prior to competition.

Overall, the London Marathon is recognized for its accessible urban course, logistical coordination with three starting lines, and passage through culturally and historically significant sections of London. The widespread public support along the route and the organization for large crowds are distinguishing features of the event.

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