TCS London Marathon guide

Sun, Apr 25, 2027 · London, United Kingdom · Start 9:35 AM

What to know when planning this race

Start, finish & getting there
Point-to-point: you start in Blackheath/Greenwich and finish on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace.
Convenient areas to stay
Central London for the finish, or Greenwich and Blackheath for an easy start. The expo is at ExCeL London in the Docklands.
Confirmed vs. carried over
The race date and start time were checked against official race information on Oct 15, 2026. Aid station mile markers are approximate.
Plan around before race morning
  • Take the DLR or train to Blackheath, Greenwich or Maze Hill, whichever matches your assigned start. Travel early.
  • Bib pickup is only at ExCeL.
  • Central London closures last all morning; plan how you'll meet friends after the finish.

Sources for TCS London Marathon:

Race overview

Organizer
London Marathon Events
Date
Sun, Apr 25, 2027
Distance
Marathon
Start time
9:35 AM
Start location
Blackheath, Greenwich
Finish location
The Mall
Official race website

Last verified Sep 29, 2026. Source

Course

Cumulative elevation, mile by mile. Amber bars are the significant climbs.

Significant climbs

  • Mile 12–13 · +30 ft
  • Mile 18–19 · +30 ft

Significant descents

  • Mile 2–3 · −114 ft
  • Mile 3–4 · −54 ft
  • Mile 18–19 · −29 ft
Mile-by-mile course notes
  • Mile 0–1 +15 / −14 ft · Course totals ≈ 419 ft gain / 531 ft loss (source: FindMyMarathon / HAM.RUN; organizer publishes no totals).
  • Mile 1–2 +15 / −14 ft
  • Mile 2–3 +15 / −114 ft · Biggest descent of the day (~140 ft over miles 2–3) as the three start routes merge — don't bank time.
  • Mile 3–4 +15 / −54 ft
  • Mile 4–5 +15 / −14 ft
  • Mile 5–6 +15 / −14 ft
  • Mile 6–7 +15 / −14 ft
  • Mile 7–8 +15 / −14 ft
  • Mile 8–9 +15 / −14 ft
  • Mile 9–10 +15 / −14 ft
  • Mile 10–11 +15 / −14 ft
  • Mile 11–12 +15 / −14 ft
  • Mile 12–13 +30 / −24 ft · Gentle rise over Tower Bridge near halfway.
  • Mile 13–14 +15 / −14 ft
  • Mile 14–15 +15 / −14 ft
  • Mile 15–16 +15 / −14 ft
  • Mile 16–17 +15 / −14 ft
  • Mile 17–18 +15 / −14 ft
  • Mile 18–19 +30 / −29 ft · Mild undulations through Canary Wharf.
  • Mile 19–20 +15 / −14 ft
  • Mile 20–21 +15 / −14 ft
  • Mile 21–22 +15 / −14 ft
  • Mile 22–23 +15 / −14 ft
  • Mile 23–24 +15 / −14 ft
  • Mile 24–25 +15 / −14 ft
  • Mile 25–26 +15 / −14 ft
  • Mile 26–26.2 +3 / −3 ft

Aid stations

  • Mile 2

    First station — heavy congestion, take fluid on the far side.

  • Mile 4

  • Mile 6

  • Mile 8

    GEL

    Gels available just past the tables.

  • Mile 10

  • Mile 12

  • Mile 14

    GEL

  • Mile 16

  • Mile 18

    GEL

    Last full-service station before the closing miles.

  • Mile 20

  • Mile 22

    GEL

  • Mile 23

  • Mile 25

    GEL

    Final fluids before the finish chute.

Rules & important information

Race rules
Bib must be worn on the front with the timing tag attached as issued. Photo ID and your entry confirmation are required at the expo; nothing is available on race day. Kit bags must use the official bag and label. Unregistered runners are prohibited.
Cutoff times
No hard cutoff, but the course reopens progressively behind an approximately 8 hour finishing pace; later finishers may be asked to move to the pavement.
Transportation
Use the DLR or rail to Blackheath, Greenwich or Maze Hill for your assigned start; trains are extremely busy, so travel early. Widespread central London closures all morning.
Other notes
World Marathon Majors race. Course, aid station, expo and hotel details are compiled from published race information and are not yet officially verified — confirm timings and logistics with the organizer before race weekend. Aid station mile markers are approximate — official locations are only published on the organizer's course map; check it before race day.

Last verified Sep 29, 2026. Source

Race week & expo

  • ExCeL London

    Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London

    Wed, Apr 21, 202710:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    Thu, Apr 22, 202710:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    Fri, Apr 23, 202710:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    Sat, Apr 24, 20279:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    Packet pickup
    Collect your number, timing tag and kit bag label at ExCeL. Attendance is required — numbers are not posted.
    ID requirements
    Photo ID and your entry confirmation. Third-party collection requires a signed authorisation letter and both IDs.
    Parking
    Paid parking at ExCeL; the DLR is far quicker.
    Transit
    DLR to Custom House or Prince Regent for ExCeL.

    Verification date unavailable. No source on file.

Ready 2 Race recommendation: visit the expo on the first day it opens if your travel allows — final-afternoon queues are the longest. This is guidance, not an official requirement.

Athlete tracking & results

Open tracking & results

Tracking and results come from the race organizer.

Hotels near the start, Airbnb and travel planning are available when you create your account.

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