London Marathon 2026

London, considered the most iconic global city on the international stage, with a colossal impact on the arts 🎨, commerce, education, fashion and tourism, has to be up to scratch when it comes to running 😎. And it didn’t wait for Finishers to prove it: the London Marathon is one of the most famous marathons in the world 🌍, officially ranked among the 6 intercontinental World Marathon Majors. Created in 1981 by former Olympic champion Chris Brasher, the event has seen the world’s best athletes come through. More than just an endurance race, it’s a true popular celebration that’s carried on year after year 🎉.

Inspired by the prestige and reputation of the New York City Marathon, the London Marathon (or TCS London Marathon by its real name 😎), in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧, was a big success from the very first years 💪. The route isn’t just a simple loop where you only have to keep your legs moving in rhythm—it’s a real journey through time and Anglophone culture, right in the capital of the country 🏴. The start is given in the southeast of the city, at Greenwich Park. Yes, yes, like the meridian 🌐. That’s when you realize we’re not talking about the little public garden around the corner, but a true landmark that gave its name to one of the most famous geographic terms in the world 😅. And that’s nothing compared to what’s coming: at km 10, you might cross paths with the Cutty Sark, the iconic figure of the National Maritime Museum ⛵️. But no boarding allowed—only a quarter of the course has been done 🤪. After 20 km, you’ll have to switch banks, and for the occasion, it’s Tower Bridge that serves as the crossing 🌉. This unusual, medieval bridge watches peacefully over the city. But it’s not over yet: the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, St James’s Park and the final straight to Buckingham Palace are each reasons in their own right to come to London in April for a wild race 🏃. All of it driven and cheered on by an ever-present London crowd at every meter of the course 📣.

The greatest runners in the world have been through here and several world records have fallen here. At the same time, the profile is ultra-flat, with no elevation gain, and perfect for focusing on pace 💨. Kenyan athletes regularly battle it out for the title 🇰🇪, like Martin Lel, Eliud Kipchoge, Amos Kipruto, Kelvin Kiptum or Sabastian Sawe. Event records keep dropping one after another, and it’s Kelvin Kiptum who has held the best time since 2023, in 2 hours, 1 minute and 25 seconds 🏆. On the women’s side, a famous Brit named Paula Radcliffe set a world record in 2003, which lasted for more than 16 years 🤯. But beyond the sky-high performances delivered by international runners, the London Marathon has its own track record ✅. It’s the running event that raises the most money in the world for charities 💸. So not only can you perform there, but you’re also contributing to one of the biggest global fundraising drives 🫂. In total, more than a billion euros have been raised by the organizers. If that isn’t the most impressive number mentioned, it’s no less the most deserving 🫶. 

Once the race is over, a whole world of possibilities opens up for participants: the banks of the Thames 🐟, a guided tour of the many historic landmarks you spotted along the way, Big Ben, the royal guard 💂… And if you’re a lover of London music, you can also head to Waterloo Station to "watch the sunset and feel like you’re in paradise" 🎸.

Don’t forget to come back with souvenirs and keychains filling your pockets, because once you’re back home 🧳, you’ll probably feel homesick and you’ll pray for someone to "take you back to London" 🛬.