When is the London Marathon 2026? Date, time, route and how to watch on TV | UK | News
London Marathon 2026 will take place on Sunday 26 April (Image: Getty)
Runners across the UK will don their trainers this weekend and take to the streets of the capital to complete the epic 26-mile race. More than 59,000 runners are expected to be on the starting line in this year’s race, following a world-record 1,133,813 million ballot applications.
The total represents a 36% increase from the previous year and is almost double the number of applications submitted for the 2024 race, where 578,304 people entered the public vote to enter. London Marathon organizers are exploring the possibility of holding the event over two days in 2027 to allow more people to take part.
Last year’s London Marathon is now just days away for this year’s lucky voters to head to the starting line to take part in the epic race; so here are all the dates and times you need to know, including how to watch the event on TVs in the capital. There are now just a few days left until this year’s lucky voting participants head to the starting line to take part in the race; so here are all the dates and times 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 26 April and will start in Greenwich and Blackheath and finish on the Mall opposite St James’s Park.
What time does the London Marathon start?
This year’s wheelchair race will start at 8.50am, followed by the elite women’s race at 9.05am and the elite men’s race at 9.35am.
A series of starting waves will run for mass participation from 9.30am to 11.30am, with short gaps in between to allow the course to be cleared.
Runners have eight hours to finish the marathon and The Mall will close at 7.30pm. The finish line will then move towards St James’s Park by midnight on Sunday 26 May. Those who want to continue beyond this time can do so, but will need to stay on the pavement for safety reasons.
What is the route of the London Marathon?
The 26.2-mile (42.195 km) route will start in Greenwich and Blackheath and pass various city landmarks along the way, including Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf.
The route then heads past Tower Hill to Blackfriars and along the Embankment. Runners will have the chance to experience incredible crowd support as they pass the London Eye, Big Ben and Westminster 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 more than 190 countries around the world. Live coverage of the elite race will start at 8.30am on BBC One, followed by BBC Two at 2pm.
Live coverage of Tower Bridge will be available on BBC iPlayer from 10.30am and Finish Line from 12.30pm, giving viewers the chance to see family and friends taking part in the race. The one-hour highlights show featuring Gabby Logan will air on BBC Two at 6pm.
