The TCS London Marathon 2026 – everything you need to know
A record-breaking 1,133,813 people entered the ballot for the 2026 TCS London Marathon, smashing the previous record of 840,318 set in 2025. It’s safe to say this Abbott World Marathon Major is now one of the most sought-after races on the planet.
Whether it’s your first time taking part in a marathon, your first time running in London, or you’re a certified London legend, we’ve put together some frequently asked questions about the TCS London Marathon 2026 to put your mind at ease…
London Marathon 2026 date
Next year’s London Marathon will take place on Sunday 26 April 2026. Whether you’re running or supporting, you can book your London Marathon accommodation at extremely competitive prices with Marathon Tours & Travel – click here for more info.
How long is the London Marathon
The same as every other marathon…26.2 miles long!
How many km is London Marathon
42.195km precisely, which is exactly the same as every other marathon!
Map of the London Marathon
The TCS London Marathon course route is known for being very flat with only one small rise. While the official 2026 course map hasn’t been released yet, it’s expected to follow the same iconic route as recent years.
If similar to 2025, runners can expect the triple start to head out of Greenwich Park and Blackheath Park, loop through Greenwich and across Tower Bridge. Circling Canary Wharf the course is expected to run along the Thames past the Tower of London through Trafalgar Square and onto The Mall where runners will finish in front of Buckingham Palace. The course is one of the worlds fastest, not to mention Tigist Assefa smashed the women-only world record time of 2:15:50 in 2025!
London Marathon start times
The official start time for the 2026 TCS London Marathon has not yet been confirmed. However, if it follows the same schedule as 2025, the mass start is expected to begin at 09:30 from Greenwich Park and Blackheath Park.
We’ll update this section as soon as the official times are announced – so stay tuned!
London Marathon cut-off times
Competitors will only be eligible for a medal and to feature in the results if they complete the course before the official cut off time, which is typically 19:00 on the day of the event (subject to change in 2026 at the organisers’ discretion). The official mass start time in 2025 was 09:30, giving runners nine-and-a-half hours to complete the course, though generally the vast majority of runners had completed by the 6.5 hour mark.
London Marathon Running Show
The TCS London Marathon Running Show 2026 is set to take place at the ExCeL London between Wednesday 22 April and Saturday 25 April. Marathon Tours & Travel will be represented by our helpful, friendly expo team – so be sure to stop by and see what we have to offer! You never know, you might get the chance to win a trip, or get your hands on some of our much coveted location stickers…
How do I collect my race bib?
You will need to collect your race number from the TCS London Marathon Running Show between Wednesday 22 April and Saturday 25 April. If you’re local, a quick trip to the Expo might be easiest. If you’re travelling from further afield, booking a hotel nearby is a smart move.
Average London Marathon time
According to London Marathon data provided by Strava, runners are getting faster! In the 2022 London Marathon, runners averaged a time of 4 hours and 18 minutes, but in 2023 the average time dropped to 4 hours and 6 minutes…
Of course, it is entirely dependent on conditions on the day. Weather is a huge factor; temperatures ranging between 10 and 20 degrees make for perfect running conditions.
London Marathon hotels
Need to book your accommodation for the TCS London Marathon 2026? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Marathon Tours & Travel are the Official Participant Hotel Provider for the TCS London Marathon 2026, providing a range of options close to the start or finish line. Explore London with peace-of-mind that you’ve secured a great hotel deal. Click here for more information.
To view our full events calendar for 2025 and 2026, click here.