The London Marathon Course: 26.2 Miles Of Memories

Starting in Greenwich and finishing on The Mall, metres from Buckingham Palace, the London Marathon gives its runners a truly unique tour of the capital. Running on closed roads cheered on by tens of thousands is an experience like no other. But where exactly does it take you and what are the highlights?

Miles 1–3: The Start & Woolwich

Whatever your wave start time make sure you get to the start in plenty of time to soak up the incredible atmosphere. The London Marathon begins from three separate start lines near Blackheath: the Blue, Green and Red starts. The early miles head east through Charlton and Woolwich, passing the grand Royal Artillery Barracks on Woolwich Road, one of the longest Georgian façades in the country. There's a downhill around mile 3 where the three separate coloured courses merge into one at Woolwich. If you're planning to meet a friend who started from a different start area this is the place to do it, but make sure you have agreed on the exact spot. 'See you at mile 3' won't be enough!

Miles 3–4: Woolwich and Charlton 

After the courses merge, runners head west back towards Greenwich. There's a short but sharp uphill climb around 4 miles. It's not a huge hill by most standards, about 400 metres long at a 4% gradient, but it's one of the very few significant elevation changes on an otherwise extremely flat course. By the heady standards set by this event this is a quieter part of the course and there isn't quite as much to see in this area. It's a good chance to get focused after the excitement of the start area.

Miles 5: Greenwich  The real crowd atmosphere begins here. Runners pass through Greenwich town centre, with thousands of spectators lining the streets. The pubs are packed and it's where you see one of the most iconic landmarks on the route.

Mile 6: Cutty Sark, Greenwich

The famous Victorian tea clipper, Cutty Sark, sits in dry dock in Greenwich, and runners pass right alongside it. The crowds here are enormous and the atmosphere is fantastic, It's a huge crowd hotspot with a fantastic atmosphere runners a real boost at a point in the race where legs are still fresh enough to enjoy it. The iconic ship provides a great backdrop and the noise from spectators here is incredible. Depending on when you started it can be slow around here with thousands of runners packed into a narrow section of the course. The Old Royal Naval College  is also visible in this section, providing a stunning architectural backdrop as runners make their way through historic Greenwich.

Miles 7–8: Deptford & Surrey Quays

After the Cutty Sark the course heads through Deptford, a less glamorous but well-supported stretch, before passing through Surrey Quays at around mile 8. The route follows the south bank of the Thames through this section. Crowds are thinner here than at the headline landmarks, but they still give runners great support.

Miles 8–9: Rotherhithe & Bermondsey

The course continues through Rotherhithe and into Bermondsey, running along Jamaica Road. This is a long, fairly straight urban stretch. Not the most scenic part of the course, but still some solid crowd support and a chance to settle into race pace.

Mile 10: Approaching Tower Bridge

The excitement starts to build as runners begin to sense Tower Bridge approaching. The course swings north through Bermondsey towards the river, and the anticipation in the crowd grows. Runners know that the halfway point and one of the most iconic moments of the entire race is just ahead.

Mile 11: Jamaica Road / London Bridge Area

The course continues north through Bermondsey, with the Thames getting closer. Crowd support builds noticeably as runners approach the river and the anticipation for Tower Bridge grows. Runners can often start to glimpse the Tower ahead.

Mile 12: Tower Bridge

The absolute showpiece moment of the entire race. Runners cross the Tower of London and then hit Tower Bridge, arguably the most photographed and celebrated point on the course. The roar of the crowd here is extraordinary. Nothing prepares runners for this part of the course. It's full of charities supporting their runners and the noise is deafening. An enormous emotional and psychological boost.

Miles 12–13: North Bank / Wapping 

After crossing Tower Bridge runners turn right and head along the north bank of the Thames for the first time, heading east along The Highway through Wapping. This is also the halfway point of the race. The atmosphere dips slightly after the Tower Bridge high, and it's a mentally important stretch to stay focused. Seeing runners coming the other way, eight miles or so ahead can be challenging.

Miles 13–14: Limehouse 

The course continues east through Limehouse, heading down Westferry Road into the Isle of Dogs. It's quieter here, but there is still plenty of support. This is a good place to arrange to see friends and family.

Mile 15: Isle of Dogs / Canary Wharf approaches 

Runners enter the Isle of Dogs loop with the Canary Wharf skyline looming ahead, a dramatic and impressive sight. The skyscrapers provide a really impressive urban backdrop as the course winds around the docklands.

Miles 16–17: Canary Wharf

The course winds through the heart of Canary Wharf, London's financial district, with towering skyscrapers on all sides including the iconic pyramid-topped One Canada Square. It's a visually dramatic section but can be difficult thanks to the high-rise buildings creating wind tunnels. There are a few twists and turns and GPS can be patchy. Crowds are much better than they used to be, but still lighter than the miles ahead.

Mile 17: Westferry Road

This is cited as one of the tougher psychological stretches of the course. It's a long, exposed road and fatigue is beginning to set in for many runners and the relative quiet makes it mentally demanding. Another great place to arrange to meet friends and family.

Miles 17–18: Mudchute & Isle of Dogs

The course loops around the north side of the West India Docks through Mudchute — a quieter, more residential part of the Isle of Dogs. The Mudchute Farm is nearby, making it a popular family spectator spot. Encouragement from the crowd here can feel especially meaningful precisely because it's less packed.

Miles 18–19: Back through Canary Wharf

Runners get a second pass through the Canary Wharf area heading in the opposite direction, which can be disorientating but also gives another glimpse of the dramatic skyline.

Mile 20: Poplar High Street

Another of the course's tougher sections, this is a long straight road through Poplar heading back west towards Limehouse. This is where the famous "wall" hits many runners, crowds are thinner, and it's very much a heads-down, grind-it-out stretch. Getting through mile 20 is a major psychological milestone for most marathon runners.

Mile 21: Limehouse & Commercial Road

Runners leave the Isle of Dogs loop and head west along Commercial Road through Limehouse. This is still a tough, exposed urban stretch but there's a growing sense that the worst is behind you. It's one of the loudest and most energetic crowd spots on the entire course despite being off the main tourist trail.

Mile 22: Back to The Highway / Tower of London

The course swings back onto The Highway and runners pass Tower Bridge for the second time, this time on the north side looking up at it rather than crossing it. Then comes the Tower of London on Tower Hill, a stunning medieval landmark that signals to runners they are now firmly in the home straight. Crowd support surges again here and runners can sense that there isn't too far to go.

Miles 22–23: Lower & Upper Thames Street

A fast, largely downhill stretch running along the north bank of the Thames through the City of London. Runners pass under several bridges and through Blackfriars, where there's a notable uphill climb out of the Blackfriars underpass at around mile 23.5. It's short but brutal on tired legs.

Miles 23–24: Victoria Embankment

This is one of the most atmospheric sections of the entire race. The crowd is enormous and packed tightly against the barriers, the London Eye comes into view across the river, and runners know they are tantalisingly close. The noise here is unbelievable.

Mile 25: Westminster / Big Ben

Runners turn off the Embankment and are greeted by the sight of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. It's an overwhelming moment and many runners are crying here, overcome with emotion. The knowledge that the finish is now less than a mile away gives most runners a final surge of adrenaline.

Mile 25.5: Birdcage Walk

The course runs along Birdcage Walk with St James's Park on the left and the Parliament buildings visible ahead. The crowds are enormous and the atmosphere is electric. Runners begin to dare to believe they are going to make it.

Mile 26: The Turn onto The Mall

Runners make the final right turn around Buckingham Palace, catching a glimpse of the famous facade, before turning left onto The Mall. This is one of the most iconic finishing straights in world sport. The red tarmac of The Mall stretches ahead, flanked by Union flags and tens of thousands of roaring spectators.

The Finish Line: The Mall 

385 yards of pure emotion. Runners cross the finish line in front of Buckingham Palace having completed 26.2 miles through the heart of one of the world's greatest cities. For many it's the culmination of months or years of training and fundraising and one of the most memorable moments of their lives.

The London Marathon course

It doesn't matter how many times you run the London Marathon there always seems to be something you've missed. Focus on what's around you and don't worry too much about your time. This is the ultimate tour of London and you don't want to miss a thing!