TCS London Marathon 2026

TCS London Marathon 2026

The TCS London Marathon 2026 takes place on Sunday, 26 April 2026, starting in Greenwich/Blackheath and finishing on The Mall in central London. Whether you are running or cheering, it is one of the best days of the year to experience London at street level, with famous landmarks, nonstop crowd energy, and a citywide festival feeling from morning to late afternoon.

TCS London Marathon 2026: London’s biggest running day

The TCS London Marathon is one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors and is described by London Marathon Events as the world’s most popular marathon, as well as the world’s biggest annual one-day fundraising event. In 2026, the marathon returns on 26 April for another fast, flat road course that draws elite athletes, first-time marathoners, charity runners, and bucket-list travelers from around the world.

Part of what makes it special is that it is not confined to a stadium. The race threads through London’s neighborhoods and along the River Thames, turning everyday streets into a moving celebration where spectators pack the pavements and runners get a lift from the noise.

Date, start, finish, and course highlights (confirmed)

London Marathon Events confirms the key event facts for 2026:

• Date: Sunday 26 April 2026
• Start Line: Greenwich/Blackheath
• Terrain: road (fast and flat), with an elevation gain of 246 feet
• Cut-off time: 8 hours

The same official overview confirms that if runners cannot maintain pace but wish to continue, they may be asked to move onto the pavement for safety while still being supported to the finish.

While the official course map details can be updated year to year, The Independent describes the traditional London Marathon route as largely unchanged, starting in Greenwich and finishing on The Mall near Buckingham Palace, and highlights landmarks such as:

• Cutty Sark
• Tower Bridge
• Tower of London
• London Eye
• Big Ben

For visitors, this makes marathon day a rare chance to see London’s most famous sights in one continuous walkable viewing experience, with entertainment and cheering almost everywhere.

A quick history and why it matters to travelers

The Independent notes the London Marathon was first run in 1981, and that the route has remained largely unchanged since its early years, helping cement it as an iconic, repeatable London tradition. It is also famous for its inclusivity, with the same day hosting elite racing, wheelchair competition, and mass participation that puts everyday runners on the same roads as legends.

Demand to take part is massive. The Independent reports a world record 840,000 people entered the ballot for the 2025 marathon, and says that level of demand makes the London event the most popular marathon on the planet.

How to enter: ballot and charity routes (pricing included)

Entry pathways vary, but the most common for individuals is the ballot (lottery-style). The Independent states that the ballot is free to enter, and that the cost of a place for successful UK participants is £79.99, with a reduced £49.99 option if UK residents choose to donate their entry fee to the London Marathon Foundation when applying.

Another major route is a charity place. For example, the National Autistic Society lists its charity place terms for the 2026 TCS London Marathon as a £100 registration fee with a £2,200 fundraising target (for charity place holders).

What runners receive and race-week logistics (official details)

London Marathon Events lists a range of runner inclusions, such as:

• Entry to the TCS London Marathon Running Show at ExCeL London
• Timed results
• Event photography
• Access to an official tracking app

The official overview also confirms on-course support like drinks stations, distance markers (mile and kilometre), and pacers setting paces from 03:00 to 07:30.

For practical planning, London Marathon Events states that participants will be emailed their start wave time about three weeks before Marathon Day. That timing is useful for travel bookings because it helps you decide how early you need to be at the start area and what transport plan makes sense on the morning.

Start times: what is confirmed and what is not

The official event overview confirms the date and start area but does not list exact start times on that page. The Independent provides the 2025 start schedule (elite wheelchair at 8:50am, elite women at 9:05am, elite men and mass start at 9:35am) as context, but those times should not be assumed identical for 2026 until organizers publish the final timetable.

Where to watch in London: landmark-filled spectator planning

One of the best ways to experience the TCS London Marathon 2026 is to plan viewing around landmarks you already want to see. The Independent’s route description points to classic spectator moments around:

• Cutty Sark
• Tower Bridge
• Late-race central London near Westminster Bridge and The Mall

Because central areas can be crowded, choose a meeting plan if you are supporting a runner. London Marathon Events highlights the scale of spectator support and the intensity of the day, so having a pre-agreed spot and time window helps avoid stress when mobile signals get overloaded.

Making it a London weekend: culture, neighborhoods, and the Running Show

Even if you are not racing, marathon weekend feels like a full city event. The official overview includes entry to the TCS London Marathon Running Show at ExCeL London, which is a natural add-on for runners and fans who want gear, inspiration, and race-week excitement.

If you are visiting from abroad, build a London itinerary that fits the marathon rhythm: explore museums and markets on Friday and Saturday, keep Sunday focused on the course and finish area, then use Monday for quieter sightseeing once the crowds thin out. Marathon day itself is a street-level view of London’s neighborhoods, so you will still feel like you have toured the city even if you spend most of Sunday outdoors.

Practical travel tips for marathon day

London on marathon morning moves differently, especially near the start and finish zones. Plan to use public transport early, and allow extra time for station congestion and road closures near the route.

If you are cheering rather than running, treat the day like an outdoor festival. Bring comfortable shoes, layers for changeable April weather, and a simple plan for food and water, because once you find a great viewing point you may not want to leave it.

If you are running, keep your last 48 hours calm. London Marathon Events highlights facilities like bag drop and toilets (including accessible toilets), so arrive early enough to use them without rushing and to settle your nerves before your wave start.

The London Marathon feeling: more than a race

The TCS London Marathon is often described as a once-in-a-lifetime event, but it also rewards repeat visits because no two marathon days feel the same. Between elite racing at the front, costumed charity runners throughout the field, and Londoners cheering with unmatched enthusiasm, it becomes a moving portrait of the city’s heart.

If London is on your 2026 travel list, there are few better days to experience its energy than Sunday 26 April, whether you are chasing 26.2 miles or simply joining the crowds to watch, celebrate, and soak up the sound of a city that turns every street into a finish line.

Verified Information at a glance

• Event name: TCS London Marathon 2026
• Event category: Road marathon running event (42.195 km / 26.2 miles)
• Confirmed date: Sunday, 26 April 2026
• Confirmed start area: Greenwich/Blackheath, London
• Confirmed finish: The Mall, London (near Buckingham Palace)
• Terrain and elevation (confirmed): Road, fast and flat; elevation gain 246 feet
• Cut-off time (confirmed): 8 hours
• Participant wave time notice (confirmed): Start wave emailed approximately three weeks before Marathon Day
• Ballot pricing (reported by The Independent): Ballot free to enter; successful UK place costs £79.99, or £49.99 if donating entry fee to the London Marathon Foundation when applying
• Charity place example (verified from charity page): National Autistic Society lists £100 registration fee and £2,200 fundraising target for charity places
• Runner inclusions and facilities (confirmed on official overview): Entry to the Running Show at ExCeL London; drinks stations; pacers from 03:00 to 07:30; free bag drop; toilets including accessible toilets