London
London Marathon · TCS London Marathon
By Global Marathon Routes editorial teamPublished Last updated
Interactive course map
aid stations: 19 · landmarks: 7Official course map
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Race facts
TCS London MarathonLandmarks along the way
- StartGreenwich
- 11 kmCutty Sark, Greenwich
- 20 kmTower Bridge
- 29 kmCanary Wharf
- 38 kmLondon Bridge
- 41 kmHouses of Parliament
- FinishThe Mall, Buckingham Palace
Aid stations and timing points
Major stations modelled on the published course maps, plus the half marathon split. Real races place stations closer together, so treat the spacing as indicative.
Course guide
London is the largest fundraising marathon in the world, with the charity places that make up much of the field raising tens of millions of pounds each year. The course is a loop that starts in Greenwich, follows the Thames, and finishes in front of Buckingham Palace.
The course
The race starts in Blackheath and Greenwich, dropping through the early miles before heading north across the river. Tower Bridge, at roughly 20 km, is the signature moment: runners cross the bridge on the road deck between its towers, and the crowds there are the loudest of the day.
From the bridge the course loops east through the Isle of Dogs, then returns west along the Embankment. The final kilometres pass the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and the London Eye before turning up onto The Mall, finishing in front of Buckingham Palace.
| Section | KM | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Greenwich to Deptford | 0 to 10 | Downhill start, fast opening |
| Bermondsey to Tower Bridge | 10 to 20 | Flat, dense crowds |
| Isle of Dogs | 20 to 31 | Loops and sharp turns, the quiet estuary section |
| Embankment | 31 to 40 | Flat, exposed, long straights |
| The Mall | 40 to 42.195 | Slight rise to the finish |
Aid stations and the half split
Aid stations sit every few kilometres and are staffed mostly by charity teams. The half marathon split falls inside the Isle of Dogs loop, after the Tower Bridge crossing. Energy gels are handed out in the later loops, and medical support is concentrated around the bridge, the loop and the finish.
What to watch for
- Turns in the Isle of Dogs. The loop contains the sharpest corners of the course, which breaks rhythm and slows pace.
- Exposed Embankment. The stretch along the river has little shelter if the wind is up.
- Two-way traffic. Parts of the course run out and back, so you will pass runners going the other way.
- Charity wave. The start is split into three waves with distinct colour numbers, so know your zone before the morning.
Records
| Category | Time | Athlete | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's course record | 2:01:25 | Kelvin Kiptum | 2023 |
| Women's course record | 2:15:25 | Paula Radcliffe | 2003 |
Practical notes
- Race day: late April. The next edition is scheduled for 25 April 2027.
- Entry: ballot, charity place, running club place, or a championship qualifying time. The ballot for the following year opens in April.
- Getting there: the start area is in Greenwich and Blackheath, served by trains from central London. The finish on The Mall is a short walk from Charing Cross and Westminster.
- Weather: April averages 6 to 14 °C, with a real chance of showers.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to what runners ask most about this race. Every figure is checked against the official sources listed below.
When is the London Marathon?
It is run in late April. The next edition is scheduled for 25 April 2027.
How do you get a place in the London Marathon?
Entry is by ballot, which opens in April for the following year's race. Charity places, running club places and a championship qualifying standard account for much of the rest of the field. London is the world's largest fundraising marathon, so a charity place is the most common route in for runners who miss the ballot.
Is the London Marathon course fast?
Yes. The course is flat and well supported, and the men's course record of 2:01:25 was a world record when it was set. The main obstacles are the sharp turns in the Isle of Dogs loop and the exposed stretches along the river.
Where does the London Marathon start and finish?
It starts in Greenwich and Blackheath, reached by trains from central London, and finishes on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace, a short walk from Charing Cross and Westminster stations.
Where is the halfway point?
The half marathon split falls inside the Isle of Dogs loop, just after the Tower Bridge crossing at around 20 km.
How many runners take part?
Around 56,000 runners finish, making London one of the largest marathons in the world. The start is split into three waves with distinct colour numbers, so check your zone before race morning.
About this guide
Compiled by the site's editorial team from public race-organizer publications, course maps and results, then re-checked against the official race site before publishing. Course traces on the map follow the organizer's published course, simplified for the screen.
By
Global Marathon Routes editorial team
- Published
- Last updated
Checked against the official sources listed on this page.
Sources for this guide
Facts, dates and records on this page are taken from the primary sources below. Always confirm race-day details with the organizer.
Related links
Encyclopaedia entries for this race and the organizer's own site: history, records and background reading beyond this guide.