This Sunday, 26 April, London will come to a standstill—not from the ongoing tube strikes, but from something far more celebratory. The 2026 TCS London Marathon is almost here, and with a record-breaking field expected on the start line, it promises to be the biggest edition in the race’s 45-year history.
More than 59,000 participants are set to lace up this weekend, beginning their 26.2-mile journey from Greenwich and Blackheath before winding through the capital’s most iconic streets and crossing the finish line on The Mall outside Buckingham Palace. The course passes some of London’s most recognisable landmarks. These include the Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, and the Houses of Parliament, before the final triumphant stretch down The Mall.
North Londoners will have their own reasons to cheer. Highgate Harriers, one of the area’s most beloved running clubs, will have members among the thousands of club runners taking part. Based at Parliament Hill on the edge of Hampstead Heath, the club has long been a cornerstone of the local running community and a launching pad for some of the capital’s most dedicated long-distance runners. Across North London’s boroughs, dozens of amateur runners will also be heading to the start line this weekend—many of them months into gruelling training schedules, and many running in memory of loved ones or in support of causes close to their hearts.
Race day begins early. The wheelchair event kicks off at 8:50 am, followed by the women’s elite race at 9:05 am, and the men’s elite and mass start at 9:35 am. Sir Mo Farah and England rugby star Ellie Kildunne will serve as official starters. This will be Farah’s first appearance at the event since retiring from athletics in 2024.
The elite fields are fierce. Defending champions Sabastian Sawe and Tigst Assefa both return to protect their titles, with world-class fields assembled around them, including Hellen Obiri, Eilish McColgan, and Jacob Kiplimo. But for the majority on the start line, the day is about far more than times and trophies. Roughly half of all finishers run in support of a charitable cause, and since the inaugural race in 1981, participants have collectively raised over £1.4 billion for good causes.
This year, Formula One legend Sebastian Vettel tackles the 26.2 miles for the Brain & Spine Foundation, while celebrated jockey Sir AP McCoy lines up for his very first marathon in support of the Matt Hampson Foundation.
BBC One carries live coverage from 8:30 am, with the full race also available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
