The London Marathon is one of the six World Marathon Majors and one of the most iconic road races on the planet, drawing over 50,000 runners through the historic streets of the British capital every year. The point-to-point course starts in Greenwich and Blackheath in southeast London and finishes on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace, passing Tower Bridge, the Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, and the Tower of London along the way. London combines world-class culture, centuries of history, and an electric race-day atmosphere that makes it a bucket-list marathon.
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The Event
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Event | London Marathon 2027 |
| Date | Sunday, October 4, 2027 |
| Venue | Start: Blackheath / Finish: The Mall, Buckingham Palace |
| Address | The Mall, London SW1A 2WH, United Kingdom |
| Airport | London Heathrow Airport (LHR) |
Early October in London brings mild but unpredictable weather — expect temperatures between 8-15°C (46-59°F) with a real chance of rain. Dress in layers and prepare for anything. Our weather and marathon performance analysis explains how these conditions affect pacing.
The Venue: Blackheath (Start) & The Mall (Finish)
The London Marathon uses a point-to-point course. The three start areas are located on Blackheath common in southeast London, and the finish is on The Mall, the grand ceremonial avenue leading to Buckingham Palace in central London. The Marathon Expo is typically held at the ExCeL London exhibition centre in the Docklands during the days before the race.
What's nearby:
- Buckingham Palace — the finish line is directly in front of the royal residence
- St James's Park — a beautiful royal park adjacent to the finish area, ideal for meeting friends and family after the race
- Westminster & Big Ben — a short walk from the finish, with the Houses of Parliament and the iconic clock tower
- Tower Bridge — one of the most photographed points on the marathon course, located at roughly the halfway mark
Important: You must collect your race number from the Expo at ExCeL London (Custom House station on the Elizabeth Line) before race day. On race morning, runners take designated transport to the start at Blackheath — plan to arrive very early.
Race Expo
The London Marathon Expo is typically held at ExCeL London, a large exhibition centre in the Royal Docks area of east London. You must collect your race bib and timing chip at the Expo before race day.
When to visit: The Expo usually runs Friday and Saturday before the race. Friday is less crowded. Allow at least an hour for bib collection and browsing.
What to bring: Your registration confirmation email and a valid photo ID.
Getting there: Custom House (Elizabeth Line and DLR, 2-minute walk to the West Entrance).
Where to Stay
The best areas to stay are Westminster/Victoria (close to the finish line), Greenwich/Blackheath (close to the start), or the South Bank. Central London hotels fill up fast and prices spike on marathon weekend, so book as early as possible. Staying near a Jubilee, DLR, or Elizabeth Line station makes getting to both the Expo and start easier.
Getting There
From London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow Express | ~15 min to Paddington | 25.00 GBP | Fastest option; then Tube to your hotel |
| Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) | ~40 min to central London | 5.50 GBP (Oyster) | Best value; direct to Paddington, Liverpool St |
| Tube (Piccadilly Line) | ~50-60 min | 5.50 GBP (Oyster) | Direct to central London, frequent service |
The Elizabeth Line is the best all-round option — it is fast, affordable, and also serves Custom House station for the Expo at ExCeL London. Buy an Oyster card or use a contactless bank card for all London transport.
From London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Gatwick is London's second-busiest airport, 45 km south of central London. Many European and long-haul flights arrive here.
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gatwick Express | ~30 min to Victoria | 20.00 GBP | Non-stop to Victoria station; then Tube to your hotel |
| Southern/Thameslink Rail | ~35-45 min | 12.00-15.00 GBP | Cheaper; direct to London Bridge, Blackfriars, St Pancras |
Thameslink is the best value option and serves more central London stations directly. Book in advance online for the cheapest fares.
Public Transport
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Single Tube ride (Zone 1) | 2.80 GBP (Oyster/contactless) |
| Daily cap (Zone 1-2) | 8.10 GBP |
| Weekly cap (Zone 1-2) | 40.70 GBP |
London's transport network (Tube, Overground, DLR, Elizabeth Line, and buses) all work with Oyster cards or contactless payment. Avoid buying paper tickets — they cost significantly more.
Where to Eat
Borough Market — London's most famous food market, near London Bridge, with incredible street food and fresh produce. Perfect for carb-loading the day before. Soho & Covent Garden — dense with restaurants of every cuisine imaginable, from casual noodle bars to fine dining.
London Food to Try
- Full English Breakfast — eggs, bacon, sausages, beans, toast, mushrooms, and tomatoes; the ultimate pre-race morning meal (eat it two days before, not race morning)
- Sunday Roast — roast beef or lamb with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, and gravy; available post-race at most pubs
- Fish and Chips — a British classic best enjoyed from a proper chippy; try Poppies in Spitalfields
- Pie and Mash — a traditional East London dish of minced beef pie with mashed potato and liquor (parsley sauce)
- Sticky Toffee Pudding — a warm, indulgent British dessert perfect for post-race recovery
Budget eating: London is expensive, but you can eat well on a budget. Chain restaurants like Leon, Wasabi, and Itsu offer healthy meals for 7-10 GBP. Supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury's, M&S Food) have excellent meal deals for around 4-5 GBP.
Essential London Tips
Currency. British Pound Sterling (GBP). Cash vs card. London is almost entirely cashless. Contactless card payment is accepted nearly everywhere, including public transport. You rarely need cash. Tipping. 10-12.5% at sit-down restaurants if service is not already included on the bill. Not expected in pubs, cafes, or for takeaway. Language. English. Weather in October. Average highs of 14-16°C (57-61°F) and lows of 8-10°C (46-50°F). Rain is common — bring a waterproof jacket. Safety. London is generally safe. Be aware of pickpockets in crowded tourist areas and on the Tube. Keep belongings secure.
What to See
- Tower of London — the 900-year-old castle on the Thames, home to the Crown Jewels
- British Museum — one of the world's greatest museums with free admission, housing the Rosetta Stone and Parthenon sculptures
- Buckingham Palace — watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony (check schedules online)
- South Bank — walk along the Thames past the Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, and the London Eye
- Camden Market — a sprawling market with street food, vintage clothing, and live music in North London
- Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens — ideal for a post-race recovery jog or stroll through royal parkland
Race Data & Statistics
The London Marathon is one of the most storied road races in the world, with a rich history of elite performances and record-breaking fundraising since its inaugural edition in 1981. Its mix of fast elites and tens of thousands of charity runners creates one of the broadest finish-time distributions of any major marathon.
| Statistic | Data |
|---|---|
| First edition | 1981 |
| Course record (men) | 2:01:25, Kelvin Kiptum (2023) |
| Course record (women) | 2:16:16, Peres Jepchirchir (2023) |
| Typical finishers | ~45,000-50,000 |
| Average finish time | ~4:35:00 |
| Entry method | Ballot (~10% acceptance rate) + championship/charity entries |
Historical Finish Time Distribution
| Bracket | Approximate % of Finishers |
|---|---|
| Sub-3:00 | 7% |
| 3:00-3:30 | 10% |
| 3:30-4:00 | 14% |
| 4:00-4:30 | 18% |
| 4:30-5:00 | 22% |
| 5:00+ | 29% |
London's large charity-runner contingent pushes the average finish time higher than courses like Berlin or Chicago, but the elite field consistently produces world-class times. The ballot's roughly 10% acceptance rate makes London one of the hardest World Marathon Majors to enter. For perspective on where you stand, consult our breakdown of marathon finish time percentiles and understand the DNF risk factors that affect a race of this size.
London's ballot acceptance rate is approximately 10%, making it one of the most difficult marathons in the world to enter. If you miss out, charity entries are a popular alternative — but they typically require fundraising commitments of 2,000 GBP or more. Apply to the ballot as soon as it opens and consider a "Good for Age" qualifying time for guaranteed entry.
Quick Reference
| Need | Answer |
|---|---|
| Airport | Heathrow (LHR), ~40 min by Elizabeth Line |
| Venue | Start: Blackheath / Finish: The Mall |
| Nearest station | Green Park or St James's Park (finish) |
| Transport to venue | Elizabeth Line + Jubilee Line or DLR |
| Currency | British Pound (GBP) |
| Cash needed? | Rarely — contactless cards accepted everywhere |
| Language | English |
| Weather | 8-16°C (46-61°F), mild with frequent rain |
| Tipping | 10-12.5% at restaurants if not included |
| Emergency | 999 |
Race Preparation:
- What Is a Good Marathon Time? — Percentiles from 1.2M finishes to set your goal
- How Weather Affects Marathon Performance — What London's conditions mean for your race
Gear:
- Best Marathon Running Shoes — Data-backed picks for race day
Training Plans:
- Marathon Training Plan — Structured programme for every goal time
Also Racing HYROX in London?
If you're also training for HYROX, check out our HYROX London Travel Guide for venue info, hotels near the HYROX venue, and race-day logistics.
This guide will be updated as more event details are confirmed. Last updated: May 2027.