London Marathon

London Marathon 2026 Course Analysis

London Marathon is a full marathon held in London, United Kingdom, scheduled for Sunday 26 April 2026. The course is run on road surface with 128m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 55m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official London Marathon website.

Elevation Profile

With 128m of elevation gain, this is a moderately undulating course. The route ranges from 2m to 55m above sea level (53m total range). While not completely flat, the elevation changes are manageable for most runners and shouldn't significantly impact pacing strategy.

Expected Race Day Weather

Based on historical weather data for April, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Near-ideal running temperatures are expected, ranging from 9°C to 20°C. This temperature range is widely considered optimal for marathon performance, allowing efficient heat dissipation without cold-related issues. There is a low chance of rain (0%), so dry conditions are likely.

Surface Type: Road

London Marathon is run on road surfaces, which provide the fastest and most predictable conditions for marathon running. Road courses allow for consistent pacing and are typically the best choice for runners targeting a personal best time.

How Difficult Is London Marathon?

Our difficulty rating for London Marathon is calculated using a model that combines elevation gain, temperature impact, and surface type. Use the difficulty calculator above to enter your target finish time and see exactly how many minutes this course would add or subtract compared to a perfectly flat, cool, road-based marathon. Faster runners and slower runners are affected differently by the same course conditions, so the difficulty is personalised to your pace.

Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare London Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.