Sport
London Marathon: Guide
The 2026 London Marathon is just days away and the William Hill News team are on hand to give you all the information you need to know on the capital’s biggest sporting event.
The London Marathon is steeped in history, with its roots dating back to the first running of the race in 1981.
Since then, it has grown exponentially into the event that it is today; one which attracts famous faces from around the world, millions of applicants and even more supporters.
Here we take a deeper look at the London Marathon.
History
First held in 1981, the London Marathon quickly became a regular fixture in the international road racing calendar. The inaugural event attracted over 22,000 applicants, with fewer than 8,000 runners accepted due to capacity limits.
Since then, the race has expanded significantly. More than 1.3 million runners have completed the course, while total charitable fundraising has exceeded £1.3 billion, underlining its importance as a charity event, rather than simply a race.
That said, the event has also maintained a strong elite field, regularly producing world-class times and records across men’s, women’s, and wheelchair races.
Growth and Popularity
The London Marathon has seen sustained growth in both participation and demand. Modern editions now feature tens of thousands of runners, with capacity steadily increasing over time.
The 2025 race set a world record for marathon finishers, with 56,640 runners crossing the line from 57,449 starters. However, demand for entry continues to significantly outnumber supply. The 2025 ballot saw over 840,000 applications, while the 2026 race exceeded that figure with more than 1.13 million applicants globally.
This level of interest makes it one of the most oversubscribed sporting events, with entry routes typically limited to ballot places, charity entries, and qualifying times.
The Course
The London Marathon follows the standard 26.2-mile (42.2 km) distance and is widely regarded as a fast course due to its relatively flat profile.
The race begins in Greenwich and Blackheath, with multiple start lines merging early on. The route passes key landmarks including the Cutty Sark and Tower Bridge before heading through Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs.
The final section runs along the River Thames towards a finish on The Mall, in-front Buckingham Palace. The run down The Mall has become an infamous sight throughout the years as thousands line the streets for it and millions watch from home.
What to Expect in 2026
The 2026 London Marathon is scheduled for Sunday 26th April and will be the 46th edition of the race.
Participation is expected to remain above 55,000 finishers, maintaining the event’s status as the largest marathon by volume.
Entry demand has reached record levels, with more than 1.1 million applications submitted for the ballot, split between UK and international runners.
The race structure will follow the standard format, with elite wheelchair events starting first, followed by elite runners and mass participation waves.
From a competitive perspective, the men’s record was set by the late Kelvin Kiptum back in 2023 with a time of 2:01:25. Many have tried and failed to beat this in the couple of years since, and that’ll be no different this time around.
Paula Radcliffe’s 2:15:25 effort in 2003 is still yet to be bettered but, as there is every year, a select group of elite runners in the women’s race will be chasing it down. Whether they can beat it is another matter.
The 2026 London Marathon will no doubt be another special day for runners and supporters alike.
