The 2026 London Marathon, part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, kicks off on Sunday 25 April. Wheelchair competitors start at 8.50 am, followed by women at 9.05 am and men plus the mass field at 9.35 am. The route loops from Greenwich Park or Blackheath, converging by Mile 3 near Charlton and winding through iconic landmarks before finishing on The Mall.

Record‑setting interest marks this year, with more than 59,000 runners expected to line the start line after a world‑record 1.13 million ballot applications. Celebrity participation adds flair: Sebastian Vettel runs for the Brain & Spine Foundation, while Sir Anthony McCoy tackles his first marathon for the Matt Hampson Foundation. The event also features Sir Mo Farah and Ellie Kildunne as official starters, echoing past appearances by legends such as Sir Steve Redgrave and Dame Kelly Holmes.

Elite contention centers on defending champions Sebastian Sawe and Tigst Assefa, with Sawe having set a women‑only record last year. In the men’s field, Jacob Kiplimo, who broke the half‑marathon world record earlier, will battle Sawe and Kenya’s Amos Kipruto. Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner aim to defend their wheelchair titles for the event this.

Weather forecasts predict dry, sunny conditions with temperatures rising from 10 °C at start to a high of 17 °C by mid‑afternoon, ideal for fast times. Spectators will fill streets around the Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf, while the TCS London Marathon app offers real‑time tracking. The race will finish on the Mall, capping a marathon.