London Marathon 2026: Route Details, Start Times and Everything You Need to Know

The 2026 London Marathon takes place today with perfect racing conditions expected as tens of thousands of runners prepare to take on one of the world's most prestigious mass-participation events. Runners will gather in Blackheath before dawn ahead of the 10:00 BST mass start, with the elite women's race getting underway at 9:00 BST.

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Competitors will face a cool morning with temperatures around 11-12°C and light winds—conditions that should prove ideal for fast times. The course takes runners through some of London's most iconic landmarks, passing through Woolwich, Greenwich, the Tower of London, and Canary Wharf before the finish on The Mall near Buckingham Palace.

This year's event marks the 46th edition of the London Marathon, which has grown from its inaugural 1981 race to become one of the six World Marathon Majors alongside Tokyo, Boston, Berlin, Chicago, and New York. Last year's women's race saw Tigst Assefa defend her title in a course record time of 2:15:40.

For those unable to attend in person, the BBC will provide full live coverage across television and streaming platforms, with updates beginning from 8:30 BST. Commentary will be available through the London Marathon app, which also provides real-time runner tracking for supporters monitoring friends and family on the course.

Organisers have urged participants to arrive at their designated start pens at least 45 minutes before their wave begins, with road closures affecting multiple areas across southeast and central London. Transport for London has recommended using the Jubilee line and DLR for travel to the Blackheath start area.

While speculation continues about celebrity participants—including persistent questions about Harry Styles' potential involvement given his known fitness regimen—no high-profile confirmations had been announced as of race morning. The focus remains firmly on the elite fields, where athletes will compete for a share of the £338,000 prize purse.