World Marathon Major
London Marathon
The London Marathon is where elite running, charity fundraising, and fancy dress costumes coexist on the same course. It is one of the most well-supported marathons in the world, with over 750,000 spectators lining the streets.
Photo by Henry Ren on Unsplash
- Distance: 42.2 km marathon.
- When: Last Sunday in April.
- Entry: Public ballot (roughly 1 in 10 chance) or charity places.
- Cutoff: None officially, but the course closes after roughly 8 hours.
- Course: Flat route from Blackheath to The Mall, passing Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, and Buckingham Palace.
History
Born from a bet, built on generosity
The first London Marathon was held in 1981, inspired by the New York City Marathon. Co-founders Chris Brasher and John Disley envisioned a race that would bring together the city and raise money for good causes. That vision has been wildly realised — London is now the largest annual single-day fundraising event in the world, having raised over £1 billion for charity since its inception.
Today roughly 50,000 runners take part, with hundreds of thousands more applying through the ballot each year.
The Route
Greenwich to The Mall
The course starts in Greenwich and Blackheath (three separate start areas merge into one route) and finishes on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace. Highlights include:
- Cutty Sark — the iconic clipper ship at around 10 km, surrounded by cheering crowds.
- Tower Bridge — the most photographed moment of the race at roughly 20 km.
- Canary Wharf — a long out-and-back section through Docklands.
- The Embankment — the final stretch along the Thames with Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in view.
The course is almost entirely flat, making it a great option for a first marathon or a personal best attempt.
Entry
How to get in
The most common routes to entry:
- Public ballot — opens in October for the following April's race. Roughly 500,000 people apply for about 50,000 spots.
- Charity places — many charities offer guaranteed entries in exchange for a fundraising commitment (typically £2,000+).
- Good for Age — if you run a fast enough marathon time for your age group, you can claim a guaranteed place.
- Championship entry — for elite-level runners with very fast qualifying times.
Beginner Advice
Tips for first-timers
- Enter the ballot. You miss 100% of the ballots you do not enter. Apply in October.
- Consider a charity place. If the ballot does not go your way, running for a cause adds a powerful layer of motivation.
- Train for the distance, not speed. London's flat course is forgiving, but 42.2 km is still 42.2 km.
- Do not stop on Tower Bridge. The temptation to take photos is real, but keep moving — you can celebrate at the finish.
- Enjoy the last mile. The turn past Big Ben and down The Mall toward Buckingham Palace is one of the greatest finishes in marathoning.
Your next step
Start training for a marathon
London is an incredible first marathon. Build your running base and enter the ballot.