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London Marathon

April 24, 2027 · 9:30 AMLondon, Greater London, United Kingdom

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Race snapshot

Race Day

52°F

43–61°F · Feels cool

Total elevation gain

180ft

Relatively flat course · Net elevation change +0 ft

Participants

50K

World-class event

Crowd Rating

8/ 10

Excellent spectator turnout

The Lowdown

The TCS London Marathon, first run in 1981, has grown into one of the world's most celebrated road races and a cornerstone of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Held each spring, the event combines elite competition with mass participation and a huge charitable ethos—raising hundreds of millions of pounds for good causes over its history. The 2027 race on 24 April continues that legacy with an innovative two-day format dubbed 'The TCS London Marathon Double: Two Days. One Event. 100,000 People.' The course is famously fast and largely flat, starting on Blackheath/Greenwich and weaving through riverside and historic London. Runners pass the Cutty Sark and Canary Wharf early on, cross the iconic Tower Bridge, and run along the Strand and past St Paul's Cathedral before the final stretch along the Embankment and a dramatic finish on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace.

Previous edition results — 2026

Jun 24, 2026: 2027 TCS London Marathon: date confirmed, ballot closed
The 2027 TCS London Marathon is confirmed for Saturday 24 April 2027 in a novel two-day format ('The TCS London Marathon Double: Two Days. One Event. 100,000 People.'). The public ballot was open from 24 April to 1 May 2026 and has now closed; ballot results are expected by early July 2026. Charity, Good-for-Age, and international entry routes remain available.

2026 · Marathon

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Course Highlights: 01Blackheath – The race starts on Blackheath in southeast London, a historic open heath where thousands of runners set off
02Greenwich and the Cutty Sark – Early in the course runners pass the maritime quarter of Greenwich and the famous 19th-century clipper ship, the Cutty Sark
03Canary Wharf – The route runs through the Docklands financial district with its skyscrapers and wide boulevards, a lively mid-race section
04Tower Bridge – Runners cross the iconic bascule bridge over the Thames, one of the most photographed points on the course
05The Tower of London and London Bridge area – The course runs beside the historic Tower of London and through the riverside area near London Bridge
06Westminster and Big Ben – In the later miles competitors pass the Houses of Parliament and the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) along the Thames
07The Mall and Buckingham Palace – The finish is on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace, a grand ceremonial conclusion to the marathon
Time Limit: 6 hours
Boston Qualifier: This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event. Achieve your qualifying standard here on a verified course.

Minimum Age: 18 years
Entry Methods: Public Ballot (closed for 2027; results expected July 2026)
Good for Age (time qualifying)
Charity Entry
International Tour Operator
Club/Team Entry
Elite Invitation
Eligibility: Be at least 18 years old on race day (2027-04-24)
Enter via the official ballot (now closed), Good for Age programme, charity place, club entry or elite invitation as published on the event website
Good for Age and elite entry require submission of verifiable qualifying times as specified by the organisers
Wheelchair and handcycle competitors must hold the appropriate classification and meet the organisers' entry requirements
International entrants must hold valid travel documents and any required UK visa
All entrants must provide accurate personal and emergency-contact information; entries are non-transferable
Required Documents: Photo ID (passport or driving licence)
Proof of age (passport, birth certificate or driving licence)
Proof of qualifying time (official race result within the qualifying period)
Proof of charity place acceptance/fundraising agreement (if entering via a charity place)
Cancellation & Refund Policy: Entries are non-refundable
Entries are non-transferable to another runner
Deferrals are not normally permitted; exceptions for serious medical reasons may be considered with supporting documentation and at the organiser's discretion
If the event is cancelled by the organisers, options include a full refund or transfer/entry to an alternative/virtual event

Book Stay

01: The 2027 race introduces a new two-day format, billed as 'The TCS London Marathon Double,' spanning two days for about 100,000 total participants.
02: The race starts in Blackheath and finishes on The Mall, taking runners past landmarks including Tower Bridge, the Cutty Sark, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.
03: The event is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors and attracts a deep elite and wheelchair field alongside tens of thousands of mass-participation runners.
04: All finishers receive a commemorative finisher medal and a technical finishers' T-shirt.
05: Race weekend includes the London Marathon Expo at ExCeL London where participants collect race packs.
06: Public transport is strongly recommended (many roads are closed).

Questions about the London Marathon 2027

When is the London Marathon 2027?

Saturday, April 24, 2027.

Where is the London Marathon?

London, Greater London, United Kingdom.

What time does the London Marathon start?

The race starts at 9:30 AM, local time.

What is the London Marathon time limit?

6 hours.

How do I enter the London Marathon 2027?

Entry is by lottery or ballot. Jul 1, 2026: Ballot results (approx.). May 1, 2026: Ballot closes. Apr 24, 2026: Ballot opens. Ways in: Public Ballot (closed for 2027; results expected July 2026); Good for Age (time qualifying); Charity Entry; International Tour Operator.

How much does the London Marathon 2027 cost?

International Entry: £225.

What is the London Marathon elevation gain?

55 m (180 ft) of total elevation gain. Net elevation change: +0 m (0 ft). Relatively flat course.

What is the London Marathon course like?

It passes Blackheath, Greenwich and the Cutty Sark and Canary Wharf. Course map

What is the weather like at the London Marathon?

Race-day temperatures are usually 6–16 °C (43–61 °F). Feels cool.

How many runners does the London Marathon have?

50,000 participants. World-class event.

Where are the London Marathon results?

The official 2026 results are on the organizer's site. Official results

Is the London Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes. This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event.

Prepare for This Race

Pace CalculatorPlan splits for marathon Race PredictorPredict your marathon time BQ CalculatorBQ-eligible course Fuel PlannerPlan nutrition for marathon, cool weather Difficulty Analyzer180ft gain, 52°F avg, marathon Training PacesTraining zones for marathon

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