London Marathon
A flat, fast tour of London's most iconic landmarks with unrivaled charity spirit.
London
Late April
42.195 km
58 m
~48,000 athletes
Course Highlights
- Cutty Sark at mile 6
- Tower Bridge crossing at halfway
- Canary Wharf and the Docklands loop
- Victoria Embankment along the Thames
- Finish on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace
The Course
The London Marathon starts in three separate pens near Blackheath and Greenwich Park in southeast London, with the routes merging before the halfway point. The early miles travel through the leafy streets of Greenwich and Charlton, passing the Old Royal Naval College and the Cutty Sark clipper ship near mile 6. The three starting waves converge around mile 3 before crossing Tower Bridge at roughly the halfway mark in one of the race's most iconic moments.
After Tower Bridge the course heads east into the Docklands and Canary Wharf, looping around the Isle of Dogs. This section can feel long and mentally challenging, with fewer spectators than the earlier miles. Runners then head west along the Victoria Embankment, passing the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament.
The finish line is on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace. The final stretch along The Mall is broad, tree-lined, and packed with cheering crowds, providing a fittingly grand conclusion. The overall profile is predominantly flat, making it a strong course for personal bests.
History
The London Marathon was founded by former Olympic champion Chris Brasher and long-distance runner John Disley, with the first race held on March 29, 1981. It was inspired by Brasher's experience running the 1979 New York City Marathon. The event quickly became one of the world's premier marathons.
London has become the world's largest single-day fundraising event, with participants raising over one billion pounds for charity to date. It is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors and regularly attracts the world's fastest elite runners alongside charity fundraisers in elaborate costumes.
How to Train for London
Prepare for crowded early miles
With nearly 50,000 runners, the opening miles can be congested regardless of your corral. Practice running at a controlled effort in busy conditions and avoid sprinting to make up time in the first few kilometers.
Stay focused in the Docklands
The Isle of Dogs loop between miles 14 and 21 can feel mentally draining with fewer spectators. Break this section into smaller mental chunks and keep your pace steady. Many runners lose focus here and pay for it later.
Train in unpredictable weather
April in London can bring anything from sunshine to cold rain. Prepare a layering strategy and practice running in various conditions. Having a disposable top layer for the start is highly recommended.
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