This is it, folks! The long-awaited TCS London Marathon is finally set to hit London once again this weekend. The event, which is eagerly awaited by beginners and repeat marathoners alike, brings out the best in Londoners. On April 26, thousands of people will gather to run or cheer, supporting each other and charitable causes. In fact, it’s “the world’s biggest annual one-day fundraising event.”
With everything going on, it can be difficult to navigate the affair – so, we’re here to help with our London Marathon guide.
When is the 2026 TCS London Marathon
The TCS London Marathon will take place on Sunday, April 26, 2026. That’s this weekend!
In past years, the marathon has kicked off at 8:50 am, with the last runner crossing the start line by 11:30 am. Runners will have 8 hours to finish the marathon. Those who finish will cross the finish line on The Mall and receive a finisher’s medal as well as a variety of freebies, recovery snacks, and drinks.
Where is the London Marathon?
Well, London! Okay, but all jokes aside, the marathon takes participants on a whistle-stop tour of the city’s most famous sights.
The 26.2-mile route will take participants from the start in Blackheath, past the Cutty Sark, over Tower Bridge, and through Canary Wharf, before finishing on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace.
You can see a breakdown of the course over on the London Marathon website. There’s a detailed map with water stations and elevation information.
Grabbing your event pack
You can hardly run in the marathon without your bib number! (No, seriously – you actually can’t run in the marathon without it…) To pick up your event pack, which includes your bib number, you’ll need to head to the TCS London Marathon Running Show in the days before the event.
The TCS London Marathon Running Show will take place from April 22-25, at the Excel London. Your event pack can be picked up at any time during the event.
If you can’t attend, you can nominate someone to collect it on your behalf. (And if you can, they recommend heading down on Wednesday or Thursday to avoid the crowds when grabbing your pack.
Find out more about The Running Show here.
The TCS Mini London Marathon
Every year, the day before the big event, the TCS Mini London Marathon sees youngsters taking on a special course in the city. This allows them to get a taste of the marathon, over a 1-mile section as they run, jog, walk, or wheel their way to the finish line.
This year, on Saturday, April 25, the children and young people taking on the TCS Mini London Marathon will be the first to cross the finish line on The Mall. And the event may well inspire lofty ambitions in those taking part. After all, none other than Sir Mo Farah has taken part in the Mini Marathon in the past!
Travelling to the Start line
Runners can take advantage of free travel to make their way to the start of the London Marathon. Per the Participant Event Guide:
“Participants (not family, friends or spectators!) have free travel on Southeastern train services from London stations to the Start, as well as on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), Elizabeth Line, London Underground, Overground and buses. Simply present your bib – do not tap in or out at any London stations!”
Services on the DLR will start at 5:30 in the morning from Tower Gateway and Lewisham, and around 7 in the morning from Bank and all other DLR routes.
Depending on which start line you are running from, you will have a different assembly area. The nearest stations to these assembly areas are:
- Blackheath
- Maze Hill
- Greenwich
In the past, the free service ran until 6:30 pm on marathon day. (You know, so you can get home and collapse on the couch!)
Deferring your place in the London Marathon
Found out you can’t run in the London Marathon this year after all? Don’t worry – life happens, and you don’t necessarily need to miss out completely. Instead, you can defer your entry in the marathon until next year.
The deadline for runners to defer their place is just before midnight on April 25, the day before the marathon.
Find out more here.
Promotions and freebies for runners
We know this is the real reason you’re reading this London marathon guide. You want to know what freebies you can get! In past years, many businesses around London have offered discounts and freebies to marathon runners to support their gargantuan undertaking. And this year is no different. Among the freebies being given away across London are:
- free Sunday roasts
- free beer
- free wine
- free shower and recovery products
- free cookies
- and more…
Many venues will post about their giveaways on the day. Keep an eye on socials for your favourite restaurants, cafés, and pubs to find even more offers available to you.
Find out more here.
Where to watch the runners in comfort
Plenty of people will be turning out to run the marathon, but countless more will be rocking up to support the athletes. And if you’re one of the many supporters planning on cheering them through the arduous task, why not watch in comfort? Mile 19 snakes its way through Canary Wharf, with the best vantage points available at South Colonnade, Cabot Square and Westferry.
Fancy a drink while you watch? Spectators can watch the action, drink in hand, from the area’s venues. Many of them have outdoor seating or terraces for you to relax and take in the action. Give the runners a “cheers” as they pass by!
Plan out your viewing spot here.
What about next year?
When you get home, you’re sure to simply collapse into bed or onto the sofa and sleep for three days. But, looking ahead to 2027, the ballot isn’t far away!
If you want to join the jogging throng, the ballot for the 2027 TCS London Marathon will open on Friday, April 24, 2026. You have until Friday, May 1, 2026, to get your name in the ballot. Entries will then be drawn at random, with results announced in the summer.
Will you do it all over again?
🏃♀️➡️ Find out more about the 2026 TCS London Marathon here.
