The 2026 London Marathon, the world’s fourth‑most prestigious 26.2‑mile race, will return to its classic April slot after a pandemic‑induced shift to October. Organisers have opened the 59,000‑strong field, a record that follows last year’s 56,640 finishers. The event will raise more than £1.4bn for charity since 1981 and continues to inspire.

Celebrity line‑up reads like a who‑is‑who of sport and entertainment. Four‑time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel will run for the Brain & Spine Foundation, while jockey Sir Anthony McCoy tackles his maiden marathon for the Matt Hampson Foundation. Olympians Dame Laura Kenny and Sir Ben Ainslie also pledge to compete on Sunday in London today.

Elite field carries four defending champions: Sebastian Sawe, Tigst Assefa, Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner. Assefa, who shattered the women‑only record last year, leads the women’s pack, while the men’s duel centres on Sawe versus Jacob Kiplimo, the half‑marathon world record holder. Hug eyes a historic fifth wheelchair title for London Marathon in 2026 today.

Route begins at Greenwich Park, merges at Mile 3 near Charlton, and winds past the Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge and the London Eye before crossing the Thames to Buckingham Palace. Morning start times see the wheelchair race at 8:50, women at 9:05 and men at 9:35, all under a forecast of dry, sunny 10 °C to 17 °C.