London Marathon 2027: your ultimate guide to race weekend

History of the London Marathon

The year is 1981 – Live Aid is making music history, Lady Diana is saying “I do” (in THAT dress) in the royal wedding of the century, and the first ever London Marathon is born.

Founded by British Olympic medallists Chris Brasher and John Disley, the race was designed to showcase the best of the city while promoting fitness and charity.

The inaugural race on 29 March 1981 saw more than 20,000 applicants, with less than half of those making it to the start line. Dick Beardsley (USA) and Inge Simonsen (Norway) famously finished hand-in-hand in 2:11:48, while Joyce Smith won the women’s race in 2:29:57.

Fast forward to today, and the TCS London Marathon attracts more than 800,000 applicants, while participants have raised more than £1.4 billion for charity since 1981. The 2026 event was the largest in history, setting a record for the most finishers with 59,830 participants crossing the line and included two of the first ever sub-two hour marathon times.

In 2027, even more records are expected to be broken with the introduction of the London Marathon Double.

Did you know? The fastest-ever London Marathon time is 1:59:30, set by Kenyan athlete Sebastian Sawe. Recent editions of the race have continued to attract elite athletes chasing records, with runners such as Tigst Assefa and Sifan Hassan producing some of the fastest women’s marathon times in history, and Jacob Kiplimo, Tamirat Tola and Sabastian Sawe among the standout names in the men’s field.

What is the 2027 TCS London Marathon Double?

Will there be two London Marathons in 2027? The short answer is sort of – but only for one year.

In a first for the world-famous event, the 2027 TCS London Marathon will take place across two days: Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027. The expanded format will allow a record 100,000 people to take part across the weekend.

The new set-up has been introduced to help meet unprecedented demand for places after more than 1.3 million people entered the ballot. Successful participants will be allocated either a Saturday or Sunday place.

Elite athletes, championship runners, Good For Age entrants and mass participants will be split across the two days, with further details expected to be announced in the coming months.

The 2027 edition is expected to become the largest London Marathon in history and the biggest fundraising event the race has ever staged.

What is the London Marathon 2027 route?

The TCS London Marathon route usually starts in Blackheath and ends at The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace, making it one of the most iconic finishes of any sporting event in the world.

The route itself takes you past some of London’s most famous attractions, including the historic Tower Bridge, views of London Eye from Embankment and the iconic Buckingham Palace.

Download the London Marathon App for an interactive map of the route and live tracking features on race day to follow your loved one's progress.

Travel tip: Expect extensive road closures and busy Tube stations (especially Blackheath and Greenwich in the morning) with delays and potential temporary closures of stations at peak race times.

The best places to watch the London Marathon

Spectating at the London Marathon is about more than just watching the runners; it’s about soaking up the incredible atmosphere of the event.

If you want to be part of its infectious energy, head to some of the busier areas along the route such as Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge and the Embankment. Here you’ll be right in the middle of the action, where the crowds are massive, the cheers are loud and there is plenty of fun signage spotting to do. Plus, you’ll get to see iconic London landmarks up close.

If you’d rather find a more secluded spot along the route, try: 

• Surrey Quays, Rotherhithe or Bermondsey: Ideal for catching loved ones earlier in the race.
• Mudchute and Crossharbour (Isle of Dogs): A quieter area that can be a tough section for runners – even more reason to cheer them on here!

To meet runners after the race, head to the designated meet and greet area at Horse Guards Parade just off The Mall where letter zones help reunite participants and supporters.

Accessible viewing points along the route

For those attending with access needs, London Marathon organisers ensure there are plenty of accessible viewing spots along the route. These areas offer a great vantage point to catch all the action comfortably and safely and are typically located near key landmarks.

Check the official London Marathon website for exact locations.

What’s on in London during the London Marathon 2027?

Whether you’re local or travelling to the city for the first time, make the most of the marathon weekend with special events and fun activities happening across the city.

Events for the 2027 London Marathon are yet to be announced, here's just some of what participants and supporters enjoyed in 2026:

• London Marathon Expo – Exclusive race merchandise and discounts on sports gear.
• TCS London Marathon x Friday Night Lights: Runners came together at this electric 5K race through Battersea Park with lights, music and plenty of confetti. 
• RUN THE YARDS 2026 - The Yards Covent Garden put on a week-long celebration of running culture, with a curated 5K route through the West End, exclusive runner perks and post-race rewards across food, fashion and wellness spots. 
• Join the London Marathon Wrap Party at Club 77 by RUNNPAC - Runners celebrated crossing the finish line with music and giveaways.
• Sightseeing tours – Visitors spotted many of the sights that will appear along the route on a Total London Experience tour.
• Rooftop bars – Caught some of the action from a stylish London rooftop bar.
• Post-race celebrations – Treated themselves to a meal at a London restaurant or enjoyed a celebratory pint in a traditional London pub.
• Relax and recover – Got pampered at a London spa or booked a ticket to a must-see West End show.

Freebies for London Marathon runners 2027

The list of freebies for those running the 2027 London Marathon are yet to be released. Here’s what London Marathon runners enjoyed for free in 2026, with a range of post-race perks across the city, from free travel and food and drink to recovery experiences: 

Free travel and experiences for London Marathon runners

• TFL offered a free ride on London Underground and Overground services, as well as the DLR and buses, for runners on race day.
• A free Thames sightseeing cruise with City Cruises for London Marathon runners showing their medal or registration, plus 30% off for supporters with code marathon30.
• A complimentary 15 minutes of massage time added to any experience that includes a massage at AIRE Ancient Baths.

Free food for London Marathon runners

• A free burrito, taco, salad or bowl at Chipotle when you show your medal on Sunday 26 or Monday 27 April.
• Free chaat (Indian street food) for medal holders at Cinnamon Bazaar in Covent Garden and Cinnamon Kitchen in Battersea.
• A free slice of Basque cheesecake for the first 100 runners at La Maritxu in Carnaby (Kingley Court).
• A complimentary dessert at Ham Yard Hotel in Soho when dining (one course required, from £39).
• A free burger at HBR in Eccleston Yards (Victoria) for the first 100 finishers who show their medal.
• A free breakfast item with a hot drink at Fremantle Bar & Kitchen in the Docklands when you show your medal.
• Free hummus and a Camden beer at Miznon in Soho.
• A free plate of pasta at Pastaio in Soho (excluding lobster linguine).
• A free chocolate brownie for those who can show their medal at Soho bakery Cutter & Squidge (until 26 Apr).
• Complimentary iced coffee plus a free bakery item at Fred Bakery in either Holborn or Oxford Circus. (until 1 May).

Free drinks for London Marathon runners

• A free pint at Pretty Decent taprooms (Victoria Park, Forest Gate and Walthamstow) on race day.
• A free pint of Camden Hells at selected Castle Pubs across London when you show your medal.
• A free pint or glass of bubbles at The Brush East London Grand Café in Shoreditch.
• A free pint or small glass of house wine at The Lamb in Bloomsbury.
• A free pint of Jubel at Bow Street Tavern in Covent Garden.
• A free pint at Mr Fogg’s Taverns (including St Martin’s Lane, Fitzrovia, Liverpool Street and Soho locations), one per person.
• A free pint of Asahi at Market Place Food Hall in Vauxhall or Leicester Square.
• Free Jubel for finishers across all BOX Bar venues in London.
• A free Lion Lager or glass of bubbles at Kolamba when you dine in.
• A free beer at Duck & Rice in Soho for marathon finishers showing their medal.
• Free coffee from Kiss the Hippo at TALA in Carnaby Street (while stocks last).
• A free pint of Guinness to all medal holders at the Open Gate Guinness Brewery in Covent Garden.

Covent Garden runner perks

In Covent Garden, runners and supporters can enjoy a mix of recovery, refuelling and celebration all in one place, with offers including:

• Up to 30% off full-priced footwear at Vivobarefoot for marathon participants (Sunday 26 and Monday 27 April with medal or bib).
• A free pair of socks from Happy Socks (while stocks last).
• A complimentary hand and arm massage from Elemis for runners throughout April.
• Free matcha for finishers at Jenki, plus £3 Flat Greens via the app.
• Free immersive fitness and recovery-focused classes every Sunday at Peloton Studios London.
• Buy one get one free pizza at Doughnation for marathon participants on race day.
• 20% off at NANA Café for marathon participants.
• 50% off framing at EDiT when purchasing full-priced artwork.

Where to stay in London for the London Marathon 2027

Ensure you have a relaxing a stress-free experience before and after your race by booking from one of the city's many accommodation options. Whether you’re looking for something budget-friendly or a luxury stay in a top London hotel.

Make your marathon experience extra special by booking at one of London’s premium hotels offering marathon-specific packages. The Westin, One Aldwych and DoubleTree by Hilton, all in central London, are known for their exceptional service and prime locations, with marathon packages that include early breakfasts, late check-out options and even post-race recovery services.

Are any celebrities taking part in the London Marathon 2027?

From comedians and politicians to celebrity chefs, the London Marathon has welcomed many celebrities over the years.

In previous years, the London Marathon has seen stars from sport, TV and music take on the challenge. Sir Jason Kenny, Chris Mears and John Terry are among the sporting icons who have run for charity, while Romesh Ranganathan, Alexandra Burke and Joe Wicks lead the entertainment lineup. McFly’s Harry Judd and Outlander star Sam Heughan also laced up in 2025. Keep an eye out for familiar faces on race day!

When is the 2028 TCS London Marathon ballot announced?

The 2028 TCS London Marathon ballot is usually scheduled to open during the 2027 event weekend, with results announced later in the year.

Successful applicants are usually notified via email, but if you don't receive an email, you can check the London Marathon ballot results on the official website.

Whether you're running, cheering, or volunteering, the London Marathon 2027 promises an unforgettable experience.

Get inspired for your trip with these London itineraries, and see what other major events are happening across the capital in 2027.