The London Marathon 2026 will take place on Sunday, April 26 (Image: Getty)
Runners across the UK will be donning their trainers this weekend and taking to the streets of the capital to complete the epic 26 mile race. More than 59,000 runners are expected on the start line for this year’s race following a world record-setting 1,133,813 million ballot applications.
The total represents a 36% year-on-year increase and nearly double the number of applications for the 2024 race, which saw 578,304 enter the public ballot for an entry. London Marathon organisers are now exploring the possibility of staging the event across two days in 2027 to allow more people to take part.
Last year’s London MarathonThere are now just days to go before this year’s lucky ballot entrants head to the start line ready to take on the epic race, so here are all the dates and timings you need to know, including how to watch the event on TV.s in the capital. There are now just days to go before this year’s lucky ballot entrants head to the start line ready to take on the race, so here are all the dates and timings you need to know, including how to watch the event on TV.
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When is the London Marathon 2026?
The London Marathon 2026 will take place on Sunday, April 26, and will begin at Greenwich and Blackheath, and will end on the Mall, opposite St James’s Park.
What time does the London Marathon start?
This year’s wheelchair race will begin at 8.50am, followed by the elite women’s race at 9.05am and the elite men at 9.35am.
From around 9.30am to 11.30am a sequence of start waves will take place for mass participation, with short gaps in between to allow the course to clear.
Runners have eight hours to finish the marathon, with The Mall closing at 7.30pm. The finish line will then move to St James’s Park until midnight on Sunday, May 26. Those who wish to continue beyond this time can do but will need to move onto the pavement for safety reasons.
What is the route for the London Marathon?
The 26.2 mile (42.195km) route will begin at Greenwich and Blackheath, and will pass various city landmarks along the way including Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf.
The route then passes Tower Hill and heads towards Blackfriars and along the Embankment. Runners will have the chance to experience incredible crowd support as they pass the London Eye, Big Ben and Westminister, before passing Buckingham Palace and crossing the world-famous Finish Line on The Mall.
What time is the London Marathon on TV?
The London Marathon will be broadcast live on BBC platforms in the UK and in more than 190 countries around the world. Live coverage of the elite race will begin at 8.30am on BBC One, before moving to BBC Two at 2pm.
A live stream of Tower Bridge will be on BBC iPlayer from 10.30am and the Finish Line from 12.30pm, giving viewers a chance to spot family and friends taking part in the race. An hour-long highlights programme with Gabby Logan will follow on BBC Two at 6pm.