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The TCS London Marathon 2026 is one of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors and, by most measures, the most subscribed road race on earth - a record 1,133,813 people entered the ballot for the 2026 edition alone. Whether you're lining up at the start, cheering from the sidelines, or travelling to London specifically for the weekend, this guide covers everything you need to know.
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When Is the TCS London Marathon 2026?
The TCS Marathon in London is on Sunday, 26 April. Mark it in your calendar - race weekend in London is an entire experience well beyond the race itself, with the city buzzing from the Wednesday before through to the Monday after.
Start times are staggered across the morning, with the elite wheelchair race from 8:50 am, the elite women's race from 9:05 am, and the elite men's and mass start from 9:35 am.
Tip: If you’re a spectator, we suggest planning your Tube route the night before. Road closures across central London on race day are pretty significant, and your usual route into the city may not be available.
The Route: 26.2 Miles Through the Heart of London
The London Marathon course starts in leafy Blackheath, heads east through Charlton and Woolwich, turns west and passes the Cutty Sark in Greenwich after six to seven miles, crosses the River Thames at Tower Bridge, then loops around London through Canary Wharf and back along the river past the Shard and the London Eye. Runners then pass Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament before finishing on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace.
The course is certified flat and has a total elevation gain of just 119-138 metres (pretty negligible by marathon standards). The average temperatures in April also range from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius, so the conditions are favourable most of the time.
Tip for spectators: If you want the best viewing points along the route, go to Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, or The Mall. Be sure to arrive early at The Mall to experience the finish line atmosphere.
How to Get a London Marathon Entry in 2026
Securing a London marathon entry is notoriously competitive. There are several routes to the start line, and understanding each one is important.
The Public Ballot: The public ballot opens for approximately one week in late April each year, immediately after the previous race. For 2026, the ballot opened on 25 April 2025 and closed on 2 May 2025, with results emailed in June 2025. If you missed the 2026 ballot, start planning for 2027 - the ballot opens on race day itself.
London Marathon Charity Places: One of the most reliable ways to get a place on the start line is through a London Marathon charity place. Charities are allocated guaranteed entries which they offer to runners who commit to raising a minimum sponsorship amount. It's a significant fundraising commitment, but it's also how the event has raised over £1 billion for good causes since 1981.
International Tour Operator Packages: A few approved tour operators offer international London Marathon travel packages, which also include travel, accommodation, and guaranteed entry. This is ideal for any overseas runners who want everything handled in a single booking.
The Virtual Option: The virtual London Marathon MyWay event allows you to earn an official finisher's medal by running 26.2 miles anywhere in the world on race day - a genuine option if travel isn't possible.
International runners: Once your entry is confirmed, sort your connectivity early. Setting up your UK eSIM on iOS or Android before you fly means you'll have maps, the marathon tracker, and communication apps working from the moment you arrive.
London Marathon Tracker: How to Follow Your Runner on Race Day
The TCS London Marathon tracker is one of the most used tools on race day - and one of the most essential for spectators. Backed by TCS's technology, every runner gets real-time tracking throughout the race. The official TCS London Marathon app lets you track specific runners by name or bib number, receiving live updates as they pass each timing mat.
Mobile signal in central London on marathon day can be patchy in dense crowd areas. So, download the app and save your runner's details before race morning. Wi-Fi or a strong data connection makes a significant difference to how reliably the tracker updates.
Beyond the Marathon: Other London Running Events Around Race Weekend
The TCS Marathon isn't the only running event happening around race weekend. London marathon events in the surrounding days give runners and visitors even more ways to get involved.
The TCS London Marathon x Friday Night Lights is an electric 5K race through Battersea Park with lights, music, and confetti. Run the Yards 2026 takes place at The Yards Covent Garden across race week, featuring a curated 5K route through the West End with exclusive runner perks and post-race rewards across food, fashion, and wellness spots.
The London Landmarks Half Marathon takes place earlier in the spring and is a 13.1-mile route through central London and passes many of the same iconic sights. If you didn't get a marathon ballot place, the London half marathon circuit is a brilliant alternative and far easier to enter.
There's also a growing 10K run London scene in the weeks surrounding the marathon, with charity and community events across the city giving newer runners a way to experience London's running culture without the full 26.2-mile commitment.
Practical Tips for International Visitors Coming to London for the Marathon
London in late April is genuinely one of the best versions of the city - mild weather, long daylight hours around marathon weekend. Here's what to have sorted before you arrive.
Accommodation: All runners for the marathon must collect their race pack in person, so book as early as possible within both ExCeL and the start area if possible.
Transport: The London Underground is your best friend on race day - but check which lines serve your route as some stations near the course close during the race. The DLR and Elizabeth line both serve ExCeL London for pack collection.
Weather: April can bring anything from sunny skies to unpredictable rain showers, so pack layers and be prepared for wet weather. Runners and spectators alike should plan for both.
Staying connected: With hundreds of thousands of people converging on central London across the weekend, having reliable mobile data isn't optional. It's how you navigate, track your runner, and coordinate with your group.
eSIM Cards offers instant-activation UK eSIM plans on major UK networks, so you can be connected without any interruptions.
Ready to Race through London?
Whether you're running 26.2 miles through some of the most iconic streets in the world or cheering from Tower Bridge, the TCS London Marathon 2026 weekend delivers something fun and exciting.
Plan your entry route early, book accommodation the moment you confirm your place, and come with the expectation that race day in London - the noise, the crowds, the finish line on The Mall - will exceed whatever you imagined it would be.
FAQs
Q1. What time does the London Marathon start?
Ans. The elite wheelchair race starts from 8:50 am, the elite women's race from 9:05 am, and the elite men's and mass start from 9:35 am. Runners should be in their start pens well before the mass start, with coaches departing from designated hotels from approximately 7:00 am.
Q2. When is the London Marathon 2026?
Ans. The TCS London Marathon 2026 takes place on Sunday, 26 April 2026, starting in Greenwich and Blackheath and finishing on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace.
And the Running Show, where runners collect their race packs, runs from Wednesday 22 April to Saturday 25 April at Excel London.
Q3. How long is the London Marathon?
Ans. The race is a standard marathon distance - 26.2 miles, or 42.195 kilometres precisely, the same as every other marathon in the world.
Q4. How many miles is the London Marathon?
Ans. The iconic 26.2-mile route takes runners from Blackheath through the heart of the capital - past the Cutty Sark, over Tower Bridge, through Canary Wharf - and finishes in front of Buckingham Palace.
