The 46th London Marathon is set to be another record-breaker with more than 59,000 people expected to complete the 26.2-mile course on Sunday.
The 2025 event set a world record for the number of finishers despite hot conditions, with a total of 56,640 entrants completing the distance.
Before this year’s race, organisers confirmed discussions are ongoing over holding a two-day event in 2027, which event director Hugh Brasher says could allow for 100,000 finishers and raise over £130m for charity.
This year’s elite races feature all four defending champions, as Sabastian Sawe, Tigst Assefa, Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner return to defend their titles.
Britons Mahamed Mahamed, Phil Sesemann, Patrick Dever, Rose Harvey, Eilish McColgan, Jess Warner-Judd, David Weir and Eden Rainbow-Cooper will be among those hoping to star on home soil.
Four-time Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah and England’s Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Ellie Kildunne have the honour of officially starting the event in Greenwich Park, live on the BBC.
How the marathon is expanding its scale and impact
The London Marathon continues to grow in participation and fundraising potential, building on last year’s record of 56,640 finishers. Organisers are exploring a two-day format for 2027 to accommodate up to 100,000 runners, which could significantly increase charity donations. Hugh Brasher indicated this change would allow the event to raise over £130m, building on its reputation as one of the world’s largest single-day fundraising events.
Who to watch in this year’s elite and British fields
The defending champions across all elite categories are returning, including Sabastian Sawe and Tigst Assefa in the able-bodied races and Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner in the wheelchair events. British athletes such as Eilish McColgan and David Weir aim to perform well in front of a home crowd, even as Sir Mo Farah and Ellie Kildunne will start the race in Greenwich Park.
What date is the 2026 London Marathon taking place?
The 46th London Marathon is set to capture place on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
How many people are expected to finish this year’s race?
More than 59,000 people are expected to complete the 26.2-mile course in this year’s event.