Runners crossing Tower Bridge among cheering crowds at the London Marathon

World Major

🇬🇧London, United Kingdom

TCS London Marathon

Expected April 2027

Lottery

Photo: Dan Huddleston · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

Next edition · 2027

Expected April 2027

Date not yet confirmed

Estimated from the usual calendar slot. Last edition: Apr 26, 2026.

Start

Three colour-coded starts in Greenwich and Blackheath that merge on course

Course

84 melevation gain

Distance · surface: 42.2 km · Road
Layout: Point-to-point, flat
Profile: Flat with only gentle undulations — a genuinely fast course

Entry

Public ballot, a 'Good For Age' or championship time, or a charity place

2027 entry: Not yet recorded. Check the official site for dates and status.
Registration: Ballot opens in spring for the following year's race

Dates and entry details change. Confirm with the organiser before you book.

Race intelligence verified 24 July 2026 · High confidencetcslondonmarathon.com ↗

PB potential

4/5

Excellent PB course — flat, fast, and well-paced

Beginner friendly

4/5

Great for newcomers — manageable course, strong support

World Major Fast Course Beginner Friendly Spring Marathon More Europe races

About this race

London consistently attracts the largest and most diverse field of any World Major, blending elite racing with a joyful, carnival-like mass participation event. The course passes some of Britain's most recognisable landmarks — Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf — before a straight run along the Embankment to the finish on The Mall beneath Buckingham Palace. The route is largely flat with only gentle undulations, which combined with ideal cool spring temperatures makes it one of the best PB opportunities in the World Major circuit. Charity runners make up a huge portion of the field, meaning costumes and fundraising banners are everywhere, adding to the unrivalled atmosphere. The ballot opens in April for the following year, with a rough 1-in-15 acceptance rate.

Typical race-day weather

🌡

Temperature

9–15°C

💧

Humidity

60–70%

☁️

Conditions

Cool and overcast, occasional light rain

🌬

Wind

10–20 km/h SW

Who this race suits

Everyone from first-timers to PB-hunters — a flat, hugely supported course. The real challenge is securing a place; the ballot is heavily oversubscribed.

Excellent PB potential: flat, cool spring conditions, and world-class pacing. Also beginner-friendly thanks to the crowds and a generous cut-off.

Overview

Field size: ~50,000 finishers — one of the largest fields anywhere
Cut-off time: Generous — course open around 8 hours
Aid stations: Frequent water and Lucozade stations, dispensed as bottles

Course intelligence

Highlights: Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge at halfway, Canary Wharf, the Embankment, finishing on The Mall
Note: Early miles are congested — seed yourself realistically to avoid weaving

Registration

Ballot odds: Roughly 1 in 15 or worse and tightening — charity places are the common backup

Race weekend

Expo: ExCeL London — in-person bib pickup, no race-day collection

Travel & logistics

Best airport: Heathrow (LHR); Gatwick and Stansted also serve London
Getting around: Tube, DLR and rail — get to the start early as trains fill quickly
Where to stay: Central London near a Tube line, or Greenwich for start proximity

Runner tips

Collect your bib at ExCeL before race day — there is no race-morning pickup.
Tower Bridge at halfway is the loudest point on the course — don't get swept into a surge.
Stations dispense bottles, not cups; take small sips and carry one between stations.

High confidenceLast verified 24 July 2026

Entry information

StatusCheck official site

Entry typeLottery

Race dateExpected April 2027

Next edition date estimated — confirm exact date with the official site.

Official website ↗

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