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London Marathon 2027: Dates, Course, Entry And Runner’s Guide
The London Marathon will take place on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027. This one-off, two day edition is known as the Double TCS London Marathon, with around 100,000 runners expected to take part across the weekend.
Each runner will complete the 26.2-mile route on one of the two days. From the start around Greenwich and Blackheath, the course passes the Cutty Sark, crosses Tower Bridge and heads through Canary Wharf before finishing on The Mall. Here is what you need to know about the route, entry options and planning your race weekend.
London: The Destination
The London Marathon is also a chance to spend time in one of the world’s great cities. Runners travelling from elsewhere in the UK or overseas can turn race weekend into a longer trip, with historic sights, museums, theatres and neighbourhoods to explore before or after the event.
Greenwich is a good place to begin. The marathon starts nearby, and the area has its own character, with the Cutty Sark, Greenwich Park and riverside views. Elsewhere, you can walk along the South Bank, explore Westminster or visit one of London’s many free museums. If you have supporters travelling with you, there is plenty for them to enjoy while you prepare for the race.
Plan your sightseeing around the marathon rather than trying to fit everything into the day before it. London involves more walking than visitors often expect, and time on your feet can add up quickly. An extra day after the race gives you room to celebrate, see more of the city and enjoy the trip at a slower pace.
Transport is part of the destination planning too. The start and finish are in different parts of London, and your assigned start area will determine the best race morning journey. Once your 2027 race day and start details are confirmed, check the route from your accommodation and leave enough time for a relaxed arrival.
Why Run The London Marathon?
Few races combine famous landmarks and crowd support quite like London. The route gives you a succession of moments to look forward to, from the first glimpse of the Cutty Sark to the noise on Tower Bridge and the final turn onto The Mall.
The people around you make the experience just as memorable. First-time marathon runners, experienced runners chasing a personal best and thousands of charity fundraisers share the course, each with their own reason for being there. For many participants, that sense of taking part in something bigger than one race is why London stays with them.
When Is The London Marathon 2027?
The 2027 London Marathon takes place on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April. It is a one off change from the event’s usual single day format, with participants allocated one day on which to run the in person marathon.
The London Marathon Course
The London Marathon is a point to point road race, starting around Greenwich and Blackheath and finishing on The Mall. Its landmarks help break the distance into sections, but the excitement of the crowds can make the opening miles feel easier than they are.
A sensible start gives you a better chance of enjoying the second half. Here is how the journey through London unfolds.
The Start, Greenwich And The Cutty Sark
Runners gather in different start areas around Greenwich and Blackheath. Your event instructions will tell you which start and wave to use, so base your race morning journey on those details rather than on a general course map. The early miles take you through south-east London towards the Cutty Sark, which appears at around mile six. It is one of the first major spectator points and an exciting moment in the race. Enjoy the atmosphere while keeping your effort under control; most of the marathon is still ahead.
Tower Bridge And Halfway
The route continues through Rotherhithe and Bermondsey before reaching Tower Bridge at around mile 12. Crossing the bridge surrounded by other runners and spectators is one of the defining London Marathon experiences. Halfway follows soon afterwards. The noise may tempt you to increase your pace, but this is a good point to check how you feel, take on your planned fuel and prepare for the longer stretch ahead.
Canary Wharf And The Return West
After Tower Bridge, the course heads east towards the Isle of Dogs and Canary Wharf. The skyline changes, the crowds remain strong and the distance begins to demand more concentration. This is where the training behind your race starts to matter. Focus on your pace, fuelling and the next few miles rather than thinking about the entire distance left to run. The course eventually turns back towards central London and its final landmarks.
The Embankment And The Mall
The closing miles bring you alongside the Thames towards Westminster. Seeing Big Ben is a welcome sign that the finish is getting close, although there is still running to do before you reach it. The final turn takes you towards Buckingham Palace and onto The Mall. Whether this is your first marathon or one of many, give yourself a moment to take in the finish. It is the end of a long journey that began well before race day.
Is The London Marathon A Fast Course?
London’s largely flat route has produced exceptionally fast performances and can suit runners aiming for a personal best. Sabastian Sawe ran 1:59:30 at the 2026 race, showing what is possible at the very front of the field. For most runners, pacing and preparation will matter more than the course profile alone.
The crowded start, constant noise and excitement around the landmarks can disrupt your rhythm. Running the first half patiently may give you a stronger finish than trying to make up time early.
How To Enter The London Marathon 2027
The public ballot for the 2027 London Marathon has closed and results have been sent. If you do not already have a place, a charity entry may still be available. Eligible runners from overseas can also check the official international tour operator’s entry packages.
Other routes, including Good For Age and club entries, have separate rules and deadlines. Check the organiser’s current guidance for any route you are considering, and confirm which day your place applies to before making race weekend bookings.
Running The London Marathon For Charity
Charity places are allocated directly by the charities that hold them. Each charity sets its own application process, fundraising commitment and support for runners, so look at the full arrangement before accepting a place. For the 2027 two-day race, confirm whether the entry is for Saturday or Sunday.
Choose a cause you genuinely want to support and give yourself time to fundraise alongside your training. If you already have a ballot place, you can still run for a charity without using one of its allocated entries.
Is The London Marathon Suitable For Beginners?
The London Marathon will be a very memorable first marathon. The clear route, large field and enthusiastic crowds provide encouragement, while the landmarks give you smaller milestones to aim for throughout the day.
The distance still requires thorough preparation. Follow a training plan that gradually builds your longer runs, allows time for recovery and helps you practise race day fuelling. Arriving healthy and starting at a manageable pace will do more for your experience than the size of the crowd alone.
Where To Stay For The London Marathon
There is no single perfect place to stay. The race starts around Greenwich and Blackheath but finishes on The Mall, so an accommodation choice that makes the journey to your assigned start straightforward is usually more useful than simply booking near the finish.
Check your race day, start instructions and transport options before committing to a booking. If friends or family are coming to watch, consider their journey too. London Marathon weekend attracts substantial demand, so compare cancellation terms as well as location and price.
What Makes The 2027 London Marathon Different?
The two day format is the defining change for 2027. Over 100,000 participants are expected across the weekend, giving more runners the chance to be part of the event while creating a full weekend of marathon activity in the city.
The essentials of the experience remain familiar: the journey from Greenwich towards Westminster, the crowds along the route and the finish on The Mall. Your practical priority is to plan around the specific day and start area assigned to you.
Is The London Marathon Worth Running?
The London Marathon deserves its place on many runners’ wish lists. Its route combines recognisable landmarks with support that can lift you through difficult miles, while the finish provides a moment you are unlikely to forget.
Getting a place and organising the weekend can take effort, especially in 2027. Once those plans are in place, the best thing you can do is prepare well, start patiently and enjoy the journey through London.
Official London Marathon Website
Have a listen
We've got lots of podcasts from runners who have taken on the famous course and all of them raised funds for various charities. They have some great stories of their training, their fundraising and their race day experiences. Have a listen to:
and many more here
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