One of London’s most iconic events is approaching, as the city prepares to host the 46th edition of its famed 26.2-mile road run.
The London Marathon 2026 draws large crowds as it passes through some of the capital’s most recognizable sights, including Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, and the finish line at Buckingham Palace.
The London Marathon race is both an athletic and cultural event. After all, where else would you see an Olympian sprinting beside someone dressed as Big Ben?
London Marathon 2026 Date, Time, Schedule
The race takes place on Sunday. The first waves begin at around 09:30 BST and last until approximately 11:30, with staggered beginnings to handle the number of runners on the route.
How to watch the London Marathon
As has long been the case, the BBC holds broadcast rights for the London Marathon. The elite race coverage will begin at 8:30 a.m on BBC One and move to BBC Two at 2 p.m.
London Marathon 2026 Weather Forecast
Temperatures on Sunday are expected to be sunny with a gentle breeze, sitting between nine and 15°C.
This will be a different story compared to last year’s marathon after organisers issued a heat alert. There were highs of 21°C which meant afternoon runners had to take extra precautions.
What’s the route?
The course closely adheres to the template established by the first London Marathon in 1981.
It starts in Greenwich Park and ends on The Mall, with the line near Buckingham Palace.
Along the course, runners pass several well-known sights including the Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, and Elizabeth Tower.
London Marathon 2026 prize money
In 2024, the London Marathon became the first to announce equal prize money for its elite and able-bodied athletes. The quirk of the marathon is that prize money is paid in U.S. dollars as it is under the Abbott World Marathon Majors series
- $55,000
- $30,000
- $22,500
- $15,000
- $10,000
- $7,500
- $5,000
- $4,000
- $3,000
- $2,000
- $1,500
- $1,000
Time bonuses:
Elite men
- 2:02:00 — $150,000
- 2:03:00 — $100,000
- 2:03:30 — $75,000
- 2:04:00 — $50,000
Elite Women
- 2:15:00 — $150,000
- 2:15:30 — $100,000
- 2:16:00 — $75,000
- 2:17:00 — $50,000
Additional bonuses:
Elite men
- First and men’s course record (2:01:25) — $25,000
- First and men’s world record (2:00:35) – $125,000
Elite women
- First and women’s course record (2:15:50) — $25,000
- First and women’s world record (2:15:50) – $125,000
Elite men’s wheelchair
- First and men’s course record (1:23:44) — $5,000
Elite women’s wheelchair
- First and women’s course record (1:34:18) — $5,000
Best Spots to Spectate
Greenwich is one of the earliest viewing sites on the course, with open space and a strong local atmosphere. However, road restrictions occur early in the morning, and parking is scarce.
Canary Wharf provides a spectacular backdrop as runners pass the Isle of Dogs near the halfway point. Spectators might expect extended driving restrictions throughout the day in the Docklands.
Rotherhithe and The Highway are less heavily populated than the central parts, making it possible to traverse between watching places on foot and spot the same runner more than once.
The Mall, where the race concludes, has the most spectators and atmosphere, but access is closely controlled around Trafalgar Square and downtown London. Arriving well ahead of the elite finishers is recommended.
Who is taking part?
The 2025 edition set a world record for marathon finishers, with more than 56,000 people completing the course.
The 2026 field is larger still, with more than 59,000 runners expected on the start line and a record 1,133,813 ballot applications submitted for places.
Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba in the Wicked films, returns for her second London Marathon after a previous finish of 3:35.
