The 2026 TCS London Marathon took place on Sunday 26 April 2026. The 26.2-mile route runs from Greenwich/Blackheath to the finish line on The Mall, passing the Cutty Sark (mile 6), Tower Bridge (mile 12), Canary Wharf (mile 18), and Buckingham Palace (mile 26). The course is fast and mostly flat, with just 127m of total elevation gain. Mass start waves ran from 9:30am to 11:30am, with an 8-hour cut-off.
London Marathon 2026 Route Map
The London Marathon route follows the same iconic path it has used since 1981. It starts in south-east London and sweeps west through the heart of the capital, finishing on one of the most famous stretches of tarmac in world running.
The route in brief:
- Start: Greenwich Park (Blue/Green starts) and Blackheath (Red start)
- Three starts merge at around mile 3 near Charlton/Woolwich
- West through Greenwich, looping around the Cutty Sark
- North through Rotherhithe and Bermondsey toward Tower Bridge
- East through Wapping, Limehouse, and Canary Wharf on the Isle of Dogs
- West along the Victoria Embankment, past the London Eye and Big Ben
- Final turn past Buckingham Palace onto The Mall
- Finish line on The Mall, just 385 yards from Buckingham Palace
For the official interactive course map, visit the TCS London Marathon course page.
Mile-by-Mile Landmark Guide
Here’s what you’ll pass and when. Knowing these markers helps you break the race into manageable chunks rather than staring at your watch for 26 miles.
| Mile | Landmark / Key Point |
|---|---|
| 0 | Start lines: Greenwich Park (Blue/Green) and Blackheath (Red) |
| 3 | Three routes merge near Charlton/Woolwich |
| 6–7 | Cutty Sark, Greenwich — first major landmark, huge crowd noise |
| 10–11 | Bermondsey — The Shard visible ahead, crowds building |
| 12–13 | Tower Bridge — uphill crossing, loudest point on the course |
| 13.1 | Halfway point (approx. 1km past Tower Bridge) |
| 15–18 | Canary Wharf and Isle of Dogs loop — quieter section, stay focused |
| 21 | Rainbow Row, Limehouse — 250m of colour and crowd energy |
| 22 | Tower of London and Tower Hill — 5km to go |
| 23–24 | Blackfriars Underpass — short hill, then onto the Embankment |
| 24–25 | Victoria Embankment — Thames on your left, London Eye ahead |
| 25 | Big Ben and Houses of Parliament |
| 26 | Buckingham Palace — turn right, then right again |
| 26.2 | Finish line on The Mall |
Tip: The section from miles 15 to 21 through Canary Wharf is the quietest stretch. Plan your pacing and nutrition here — don’t wait for the crowds to remind you to eat.
London Marathon Elevation Profile
Good news: this is one of the flattest major marathons in the world.
Key elevation facts:
- Total elevation gain: approximately 127m (419 feet)
- Total elevation loss: approximately 161m (531 feet)
- Net downhill — the course drops more than it climbs overall
- Max elevation: around 54m (180 feet) near the start in Blackheath
- Min elevation: around 1m (6 feet) near the finish on The Mall
The course is net downhill, but it’s not perfectly flat. Here’s where you’ll feel it:
Miles 1–3 (Blackheath descent): The biggest downhill of the whole race. It feels great early on — which is exactly why it’s dangerous. Resist the temptation to bank time here. Your quads will pay for it at mile 20.
Mile 12 (Tower Bridge): A noticeable uphill to cross the bridge, then downhill off the far side. The roar of the crowd makes it feel easier than it is.
Mile 23–24 (Blackfriars): A short, unwelcome incline just before you hit the Embankment. It comes at the worst possible time — but there’s only 3km left after you crest it.
The Mall (finish): Flat. Gloriously, mercifully flat. The crowd carries you through those final 385 yards.
London Marathon 2026 Race Day Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday 26 April 2026 |
| Distance | 26.2 miles (42.195km) |
| Start location | Greenwich Park (Blue/Green) and Blackheath (Red) |
| Wheelchair race start | 8:50am |
| Women’s elite start | 9:05am |
| Men’s elite + mass waves | 9:35am onwards |
| Mass wave window | 9:30am–11:30am (staggered) |
| Finish line location | The Mall, London SW1 |
| Cut-off time | 8 hours from final wave start (approx. 7:30pm) |
| Secondary finish line | St James’s Park, open until 23:59 |
| Total participants | ~59,000 |
| Terrain | Road — fast and flat |
Note on cut-off: The finish line on The Mall closes at approximately 7:30pm. After that, a secondary finish line opens in St James’s Park and stays open until 23:59. Drink stations and timing mats operate on an 8-hour rolling pace.
Tips for Running the London Marathon Course
1. Treat the first 3 miles as a warm-up, not a race.
The downhill from Blackheath pulls pace out of you without you realising it. Run 5–10 seconds per mile slower than your goal pace for the first 5km. You’ll thank yourself at mile 22.
2. Prepare for Tower Bridge emotionally, not just physically.
The uphill crossing at mile 12 is real, but the wall of noise from the crowds on both sides is something else entirely. Experienced pacers describe it as unlike anything else in marathon running. Enjoy it — but check your effort level, because it’s easy to surge without meaning to.
3. Stay locked in through the Isle of Dogs (miles 15–21).
This is the quiet section. Crowds thin out, the roads wind through office blocks, and it’s easy to lose focus or let pace drift. This is where races are won and lost for most runners. Stick to your plan, take your gels, and keep moving.
4. Use the landmarks as mental milestones.
Don’t count miles — count landmarks. Cutty Sark. Tower Bridge. Canary Wharf. Tower of London. Big Ben. Buckingham Palace. Six checkpoints, each one closer to the finish line on The Mall. It makes the race feel like a tour, not a slog.
5. The final 385 yards are yours.
Once you turn onto The Mall, the finish line gantry is right there. The crowds are three or four deep. Most runners report this as one of the easiest stretches of the whole race — because the noise carries you. Soak it up. You’ve earned it.
Celebrate Your London Marathon Finish Line
You’ve trained for months. You’ve run through winter mornings, done the long runs, and crossed that finish line on The Mall.
That moment deserves more than a screenshot.
At The Finish Line Co., we turn your finish line into a beautifully designed, personalised print — made specifically for runners who want to remember exactly where their race ended.
Our personalised London Marathon print features the iconic finish line on The Mall, customised with your name, finish time, and race year. It’s the kind of thing that goes straight on the wall — and stays there.
Whether it’s a gift for a fellow runner or a treat for yourself, it’s the perfect way to mark the miles.
See the London Marathon print →
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the London Marathon finish?
The London Marathon finishes on The Mall in central London, just in front of Buckingham Palace. After passing the Palace at mile 26, runners turn right and run the final 385 yards along The Mall to the finish line gantry. After 7:30pm, a secondary finish line operates in St James’s Park until 23:59.
Is the London Marathon course flat?
Yes — it’s one of the flattest World Marathon Majors. Total elevation gain is approximately 127m (419 feet), with a net downhill overall. The main inclines are the Blackheath descent in miles 1–3, the Tower Bridge crossing at mile 12, and a short hill near Blackfriars at mile 23–24. The finish on The Mall is completely flat.
Where is the London Marathon start line?
There are three start lines. The Blue and Green starts are in Greenwich Park, and the Red start is on Charlton Way near Blackheath. All three routes merge into one at around mile 3 near Charlton/Woolwich. Runners are assigned a start colour and wave zone when they collect their race pack at the expo.
What landmarks do you pass on the London Marathon route?
The route passes some of London’s most iconic sights. Key landmarks include the Cutty Sark (mile 6–7), Tower Bridge (mile 12), Canary Wharf (miles 15–18), the Tower of London (mile 22), the London Eye (mile 24–25), Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament (mile 25), and Buckingham Palace (mile 26), before finishing on The Mall.
Can I get a personalised London Marathon route map print?
Yes! The Finish Line Co. creates personalised prints featuring the London Marathon finish line on The Mall, customised with your name, time, and year. They make a brilliant keepsake or gift for any runner. See the London Marathon print here.