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 as everyone gathers in support of each other and charitable causes. In fact, this year’s event is on track to be the biggest marathon in the world. With everything going on, it can be difficult to navigate the affair – so, we’re here to help with our London Marathon guide.
1. The basic facts of The TCS London Marathon 2025
The TCS London Marathon will take place on Sunday, April 27, 2025 (that’s this weekend!). 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.
In past years, the marathon has kicked off at 8:50 AM, with the last runner crossing the start line by 11:30 AM. Those who manage to finish the marathon will cross the finish line on The Mall, and receive a finisher’s medal and a variety of freebies and recovery snacks and drinks.
2. Understanding the route
Image: @londonmarathon, via IG
Not much of a runner, or need to mentally prepare for the marathon? You can see a breakdown of the course over at the London Marathon website. There’s a detailed map with water stations, Lucozade zones, and elevation information. You can even save the route to your fitness device or Strava.
Check it out here.
3. Grabbing your event pack
You can hardly run in the marathon without your bib number! (No, really – you actually can’t run in the marathon without it…) So make sure you head to the TCS London Marathon Running Show to pick it up, along with your event pack.
The TCS London Marathon Running Show will take place from April 23-26, and 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 Thursday or Friday to grab your bib, to avoid the crowds.)
Find out more about The Running Show here.
4. The TCS Mini London Marathon
Image: @londonmarathon, via IG
Every year, the TCS Mini London Marathon takes place the day before the big event. This allows youngsters to get a taste of the marathon, over a 1-mile section – or a slightly longer 2.6k course.
This year, on Saturday, April 26, the young people taking on the TCS Mini London Marathon will be the first to cross the finish line on The Mall. Previous Mini Marathon runners have included legends such as Sir Mo Farah, who won the event for three years running!
5. Travelling to the Start line
As with previous years, runners can take advantage of free travel on the day of the marathon. Runners can ride for free across the London Overground, Underground, DLR, and buses. It’s as simple as showing your bib number and taking a free ride! The free service will run until 6:30pm on marathon day.
This year, runners can also travel for free across portions of the Southeastern rail service to get to the start areas. Runners can travel for free on Southeastern services from these stations to reach the start – simply show your race number at the ticket gate:
- London Bridge
- London Cannon Street
- London Charing Cross
- Waterloo East
- London Victoria
Free travel on the Southeastern service is only available in the morning. Runners will still need a valid train ticket into London and for the rest of the day after the race.
6. Deferring your place in the 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 option to defer your place in the marathon starts in March. The deadline for requesting deferral is on April 26, just before midnight – the day before the marathon.
Find out what you need to do here.
7. Running the marathon your way
If you can’t make it to London for the event or you didn’t register in time, you can still take part with your own virtual TCS London Marathon. The TCS London Marathon MyWay option allows more freedom and flexibility for wannabe marathoners to complete the 26.2-mile endeavour in their own way. And finishers will still receive a TCS London Marathon finisher medal and t-shirt!
There is also flexible entry and options available for those who can’t run on the day due to religious reasons or who require further flexibility due to a disability. Anyone and everyone can join in!
8. Promotions for participants
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. Many will post on the day, so keep an eye on socials for your favourite restaurants, cafés, and pubs to find even more offers available to you.
Here are some freebies for London Marathon runners that we’ve already found:
🍝 Free Pasta at Pastaio
🛳️ Free sightseeing City Cruise
🧘♀️ Free yoga class at Triyoga
🍔 Free burger at The Table Southwark
🍸 Free drink at Kricket
Find more London Marathon freebies here.
9. 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!
10. Getting home
As we mentioned earlier in this London Marathon guide, runners can take advantage of free travel up until 6:30 PM on the London Underground, Overground, buses, and DLR. After all, you’re definitely not jogging home, right? Right?
11. 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 2026, the ballot isn’t far away! If you want to join the jogging throng, the ballot for the 2026 TCS London Marathon will open in April, 2025. The ballot is expected to open the day before the event, April 26, and close just under a week later.
Will you do it all over again?
So there you have it, a comprehensive London marathon guide. Will you be taking to the course, or cheering on from the sidelines?