How to run the London Marathon: entry, training timeline and race weekend

1. Apr 24 to May 1, 2026Public ballot 1,338,544 people entered. It will not reopen.Closed
2. Jul 9, 2026Ballot results Successful runners confirmed their place by July 31.Closed
3. Open nowCharity places Limited places with official charities, still available.Open now
4. Other routesGood For Age, Championship, clubs, tour operators Each has its own rules on the official site.Other route
5. Apr 24 and 25, 2027Race daysComing up

London has Good For Age and Championship entries with their own time standards. See the official ballot and entry pages.

We only list prices the race publishes. Flight and hotel prices swing too much to quote here.

1. Sat Dec 19, 202618 weeks outDay one of an 18-week plan Eighteen weeks is the length of the official Chicago Marathon training plan with Nike. Pick a plan that fits the running you already do.In 42 days
2. Sat Jan 9, 202715 weeks outBook travel and a place to stay Lock in flights and lodging before race-week prices and availability get tight. Use the race’s official travel or housing partner if it has one.In 63 days
3. Sat Feb 13, 202710 weeks outPick a tune-up race A half marathon in the middle of your plan is a good check on your goal pace. Races Near lists halves near you.In 98 days
4. Sat Mar 13, 20276 weeks outDress rehearsal long run Run a long run in race-day kit and practice with what the course hands out: water, Lucozade Sport and gels.In 126 days
5. Sat Apr 3, 20273 weeks outTaper starts Follow your plan as it cuts back over the final weeks. Do not try to catch up on missed long runs now.In 147 days
6. Sat Apr 17, 20271 week outRace week Read the official participant guide, confirm your bib pickup slot and plan your route to the start.In 161 days
7. Sat Apr 24, 2027Race dayRace day Go get it.In 168 days

This is our suggested calendar, not a training plan. Use it to line up your plan of choice with the race's own dates. Running a different goal race? Try the pace calculator for your splits.

1. Miles 1 to 3

   Three starts to Woolwich

   Wide roads and a net downhill. Do not weave to pass people. The three start groups meet just before Mile 3 in Woolwich.

2. Miles 4 to 14

   Greenwich, Cutty Sark and Tower Bridge

   Relatively flat. Huge crowds at Cutty Sark between Miles 6 and 7. Find cruise control and use the early drinks. There is a short incline just before Tower Bridge, near halfway, and the crowd noise there is the loudest on the course.

3. Miles 15 to 20

   Isle of Dogs and Canary Wharf

   Canary Wharf and the Westferry underpass confuse GPS watches, so trust the mile markers. It can be windy between the towers.

4. Mile 21 to finish

   Rainbow Row to The Mall

   Rainbow Row in Limehouse just past Mile 21, then The Highway, Tower Hill and Victoria Embankment. You turn at Westminster Bridge with about a mile to go, and Birdcage Walk marks 1 km to go before the finish on The Mall.

Course records: 1:59:30 (Sabastian Sawe, 2026) and 2:15:25 (Paula Radcliffe (mixed race), 2003).

London Marathon Events says these times are likely, not final.

• Running Show and bib pickup

  • London Marathon Events is exploring Tuesday April 20 to Saturday April 24, 2027 for the Running Show. Not confirmed yet.
  • Your race day is assigned, and you cannot swap days.

• Race weekend extras

  • Friday Night Lights event planned for Friday April 23, 2027.
  • The Mini Marathon is on Friday April 23.

• On the course

  • Toilets every mile from 1 to 24.
  • Water every 3 miles from Mile 3 to 12, then every 2 miles to Mile 24.
  • Lucozade Sport at Miles 7, 15, 21 and 23. Gels at 13 and 19. Refill points at 5, 10, 14, 17 and 20.
  • Pacers run in each wave.

• Bag drop and transport

  • 2027 bag drop and start-area details: not announced yet. They will be in the official event guide closer to race day.

• Walk between spots where you can. Organisers say Cutty Sark DLR (Mile 6.5) and Limehouse (Mile 21) can have queues of up to 90 minutes.
• For Cutty Sark, walk in from Deptford, Greenwich, Island Gardens or Maze Hill. For Tower Bridge (Mile 13), arrive early and use London Bridge station, not Tower Hill.
• For Canary Wharf (Miles 18 and 19), use the Elizabeth line or Canary Wharf DLR. Crossharbour and South Quay serve Miles 15, 17 and 18.
• Westminster station is exit-only from 07:00 to 19:00 on race day. Use Charing Cross, Piccadilly Circus, Victoria or Waterloo instead.
• There are five accessible viewing areas: Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, Rainbow Row (Butcher Row), Tower Hill and Victoria Embankment.
• Phone signal can be patchy in the crowds, so pick a meeting point in advance.