London Marathon 2025: your winning guide to dates, timings and how to enter

It might seem like a good long while away yet, but thousands of runners around the capital are already training hard in the run-up to the 2025 London Marathon, and the world-famous race will be upon us in no time. 

Covering 26.2 miles and shutting down roads left, right and centre, the city’s biggest running event is due to take over the capital on Sunday April 27 2025, with thousands of cheering spectators and fancy-dress fundraisers expected to descend on central London for the occasion. 

Ahead of this year’s race, here’s everything you need to know about running and watching the London Marathon 2025, whether you’re a road-pounding pro or a newbie dressed as a stormtrooper. 

What is the London Marathon?

Attracting professionals, celebrities and some truly ludicrous outfits, the London Marathon is a 26.2-mile race around the streets of London. Having first taken place in 1981, it has since become one of the key events in the city’s social calendar, attracting just as many supporters as participants, with a buzzing atmosphere whatever the weather.

If you’re out and about in the afternoon of marathon day, here are the best places to catch all the action and expect to see weary runners propping up the bar at pubs across the capital. 

Where is the London Marathon?

The London Marathon route has remained largely unchanged since the event first began. It starts south of the Thames at Blackheath and passes through Greenwich before crossing the river over Tower Bridge. It then continues through central London before finishing in glory in front of Buckingham Palace. A full map of the route can be found here. 

When is the 2025 London Marathon?

The 2024 marathon takes place on Sunday, April 27 2025. The event lasts for most of the day, with the first participants setting off at around 8.50am, and road closures lasting until 5.30pm.

How do I enter the London Marathon?

Hold your horses, Speedy Gonzales! The ballot for the London Marathon typically takes place in October the year before the race, which means that general entry into this year’s race has now closed. If you’re really desperate to run in 2025, you can try and secure a charity place. These also tend to be oversubscribed so there’s no guarantee, and you will have to commit to fundraising target, but you may still be able to find a place at one of the partner charities listed here. Happy to wait until next year? Here’s our handy guide on how to enter the race.

Where can I watch coverage of the London Marathon?

Details of how to watch the 2025 event are yet to be confirmed, but typically the race is streamed on big screens on Blackheath, where the 40,000 runners begin the race. Or, if you fancy watching from the comfort of your own home it’ll be live on BBC1 and BBC2, with coverage beginning before the first race starts at 8.30am.

Which celebs and athletes are running the 2025 London Marathon?

As one of the most famous races in the world, the London Marathon tends to attract some pretty heavyweight competitors, and this year is no exception. 

Elite athletes taking part include Ugandan runner Jacob Kiplimo, who holds the half-marathon world record, plus last year’s London Marathon winner, Alexander Mutiso, and the current Olympic champion, Tamirat Tola. Also competing are Milkesha Mengesha, Abdi Nageeye and Sabastian Sawe, respective winners of the Berlin Marathon, New York Marathon and Valencia Marathon in 2024. 

Things are looking no less competitive in the elite women’s category, which features the three fastest women in history at this distance; current world record holder Ruth Chepngetich, current Olympic champion Sifan Hassan, and former world record holder and Olympic silver medallist Tigst Assefa. 

What time does the London Marathon start?

Full details of timings for the 2025 event have not yet been announced, but typically groups of racers set off at staggered times, starting with the wheelchair race at 8.50am. In the past, the elite women’s race has set off at 9am, followed by the elite men’s race at 9.30am. Runners participating in the general race normally set off in waves starting from 10am, with the last groups crossing the start line at around 11.30am. Spectators wishing to track loved ones as they embark on the race can do so via the London Marathon app. 

We’ll be updating this page in due course with everything else you need to know about the 2025 London marathon, from the best watch parties to the famous faces you might spot among the runners.