The London Marathon is one of the world’s largest mass-participation road races and a central fixture in the UK sporting calendar. The 2026 edition will take place in London in late April, affecting runners, residents, transport networks and millions of television viewers nationwide. The event combines elite international competition with amateur participation and large-scale charity fundraising, generating significant economic and social impact across the capital. In 2025, the marathon delivered fast winning times in both elite races, shaping expectations for the next edition. Entry for 2026 is again expected to be highly competitive, with most places allocated via a public ballot or charity programmes. Road closures and transport changes will affect several boroughs from early morning until late afternoon. This is reported by the editorial team of The WP Times, citing londonmarathonevents.
Who won the London Marathon in 2025
The 2025 London Marathon featured a strong elite field and favourable conditions that produced some of the fastest times in the race’s history. In the men’s race, Kenya’s Alexander Mutiso won with a time of 2:04:01, pulling clear in the later stages after a tightly packed lead group through Canary Wharf. In the women’s race, Peres Jepchirchir, also of Kenya, secured victory in 2:16:16, maintaining a steady pace after the halfway point and finishing strongly on The Mall.
These results matter for 2026 because London traditionally invites returning winners and top finishers, and winning times influence race tactics and expectations. A fast 2025 suggests that organisers may again assemble a field focused on record-level performances rather than tactical racing.
London Marathon 2025 elite winners
| Category | Winner | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | Alexander Mutiso | Kenya | 2:04:01 |
| Women | Peres Jepchirchir | Kenya | 2:16:16 |
Full verified elite and mass-race results are published by the organisers and can be checked via the official results archive:
https://results.tcslondonmarathon.com
When is the London Marathon 2026 and what is the route
The London Marathon 2026 is scheduled for Sunday, 26 April 2026. Wheelchair races are expected to start shortly after 08:00, followed by elite women, elite men and then mass participation waves throughout the morning.
The course follows the established east-to-west route across London, starting in Greenwich and finishing on The Mall near Buckingham Palace. The route is known for its flat profile and landmark-heavy layout, which supports fast times but also requires extensive transport management.
Key locations on the London Marathon route
| Location | What happens there |
|---|---|
| Greenwich | Multiple start zones and early congestion |
| Tower Bridge | Mid-race landmark and high crowd density |
| Canary Wharf | Narrow sections and GPS disruption |
| Embankment | Final miles with heavy spectator presence |
| The Mall | Finish line and medal collection |
An official interactive route map, including elevation data and mile markers, is available on the organiser’s website:
https://www.tcslondonmarathon.com/the-event/the-course
Road closures and access restrictions are coordinated with local councils and Transport for London. TfL publishes confirmed service changes and station access rules in the final weeks before race day:
https://tfl.gov.uk/status-updates/major-works-and-events/london-marathon
How to enter the London Marathon and how many people get a place
Places for the London Marathon 2026 are limited, with demand consistently exceeding supply. The primary entry route is the public ballot, which usually opens shortly after the previous year’s race and remains open for approximately one week. In recent years, acceptance rates have been estimated at 5–10%.
Alternative routes include charity places and time-qualified entries under the “Good for Age” system. Charity runners commit to raising a minimum sponsorship amount, commonly £2,000 or more, depending on the organisation.
London Marathon entry routes
| Entry type | How it works | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Ballot | Random draw after online application | General public |
| Charity | Guaranteed place with fundraising target | Charity runners |
| Good for Age | Qualification via age-group times | Competitive amateurs |
Applications, confirmations and entry status checks are only valid via the official organiser portal:
https://www.tcslondonmarathon.com/enter
Age-group qualification standards and accepted race results are published here:
https://www.tcslondonmarathon.com/enter/how-to-enter/good-for-age-entry
Organisers advise runners to avoid unofficial resellers and social media offers claiming to sell guaranteed places.
Practical information for runners and residents ahead of race day
As race day approaches, both participants and London residents are advised to rely on official guidance to plan travel and access.
For runners, final instructions covering start times, wave allocation, baggage procedures and course cut-off times are published in the participant information section of the official website:
https://www.tcslondonmarathon.com/the-event/participant-information
Race-day logistics, including course reopening times and finish-area procedures, are outlined here:
https://www.tcslondonmarathon.com/the-event/event-day
Results are published online only and are not emailed individually:
https://results.tcslondonmarathon.com
For residents and commuters, Transport for London provides detailed updates on bus diversions, Tube station restrictions and traffic conditions:
https://tfl.gov.uk
https://tfl.gov.uk/traffic
https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/status
Road closures along the route are confirmed by the organisers and updated close to the event:
https://www.tcslondonmarathon.com/the-event/road-closures
How to watch the London Marathon 2026 in the UK
The London Marathon 2026 will be broadcast live in the UK by the BBC, with free-to-air coverage throughout race day.
UK viewing options
| Platform | Coverage |
|---|---|
| BBC One | Live television broadcast |
| BBC iPlayer | Live stream and full replays |
| BBC Red Button | Extended race coverage |
| BBC Sport website | Live text updates and results |
Broadcast schedules and digital access details are published on BBC Sport:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/london-marathon
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
The London Marathon 2026 will again combine elite sport with mass participation, affecting transport, fundraising activity and daily life across large parts of London. For runners, it requires early planning and verification through official channels. For residents, it brings predictable but significant disruption along the route. For viewers, it remains one of the UK’s most widely followed annual sporting events.
Read about the life of Westminster and Pimlico district, London and the world. 24/7 news with fresh and useful updates on culture, business, technology and city life: Luxury gyms in London: why are the best clubs concentrated in SW1 and Westminster in 2026