London Marathon: a World Marathon Major with huge crowds

The London Marathon is one of the six World Marathon Majors and famous for its crowds, costumes and charity runners. The course runs from Greenwich to The Mall past many of London's landmarks.

Fun facts

• London is one of the World Marathon Majors.
• Most places are allocated by a public ballot, and many runners enter through charities.
• The race is known as one of the biggest annual fundraising events in the world.

What to see

• Tower Bridge, around the halfway point.
• The Cutty Sark in Greenwich.
• Buckingham Palace near the finish on The Mall.

What to taste

• A full English breakfast before or after the race.
• Fish and chips.
• Pie and mash, a traditional London dish.

What to do

• Visit the expo to collect your race number.
• Cheer runners at Tower Bridge or along the Embankment.
• Recover with a walk in St James's Park or Hyde Park.

💡 Tip: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton all have rail links to central London. Entry is mainly by ballot, so check the rules early. Fly in at least a day early and book accommodation early, as hotels fill up on race weekend.