London Landmarks Half Marathon 2026: Essential Guide for Runners and Spectators
Tens of thousands of runners and enthusiastic spectators are set to converge on Central London this Sunday, April 12, 2026, for the ninth annual London Landmarks Half Marathon (LLHM). This vibrant closed-road event offers a unique 13.1-mile journey past iconic landmarks including Big Ben, The Shard, and St Paul's Cathedral, creating a spectacular urban running experience.
Event Overview and Entertainment
The LLHM stands as the only half marathon that traverses both the City of London and City of Westminster, resulting in significant traffic rerouting throughout Zone 1 on race day. Beyond the athletic challenge, spectators can enjoy a lively atmosphere featuring musical performances, DJ sets, and dancers along the course, providing ample entertainment while cheering on participants.
Route Map and Start Times
The 2026 race begins on Whitehall and concludes near Trafalgar Square, with runners embarking on a scenic route through Westminster before proceeding down the Embankment alongside the River Thames. Organizers have implemented a wave start system to manage the large participant field:
- Heart Wave (accessible): 9:15am
- Lightning Wave: 9:20am
- Cheetah Wave: 9:30am
- Dragon Wave: 9:40am
- Tommy's Wave: 9:50am
- Sunshine Wave: 10:10am
- Rainbow Wave: 10:20am
- Diamond Wave: 10:30am
- Royal Wave: 10:40am
Transportation and Tube Station Guidance
The nearest London Underground stations to the start line and arrival areas include Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, and Green Park. However, participants should anticipate several transportation disruptions that may affect their journey:
- No District or Circle line services through Central London, including Westminster and Embankment stations
- Waterloo & City line closure
- Heavily reduced DLR services to Bank station
- Disrupted Elizabeth line services into Paddington
Race organizers strongly recommend utilizing Jubilee, Central, Northern, and Bakerloo line services where possible to reach the event efficiently.
Comprehensive Road Closure Information
Road closures will be implemented from approximately 2:30am across Central London, with the following streets affected (presented alphabetically with timing details):
A-F: Aldermanbury (6:30am-4pm), Aldwych (7am-3:30pm), Angel Street (7am-3:30pm), Arundel Street (7am-3:30pm), Bank Junction (6:30am-4pm), Basinghall Street (6:30am-4pm), Blackfriars Underpass (7:30am-4:30pm), Byward Street (7:30am-2:30pm), Cannon Street (6:30am-4pm), Carlton Gardens (5am-5:30pm), Carlton House Terrace (5am-5:30pm), Chancery Lane (7am-3:30pm), Charing Cross Road (5am-4pm), Cheapside (6:30am-4pm), Cockspur Street (2:30am-6:50pm), Cornhill (6:30am-4pm), Duncannon Street (5am-4pm), Fleet Street (7am-3:30pm), Friday Street (6:30am-4pm).
G-O: Gresham Street (6:30am-4:30pm), Haymarket (5am-5:30pm), High Holborn (7am-3:30pm), High Timber Street (7:30am-4:30pm), Holborn (7am-3:30pm), Holborn Viaduct (7am-3:30pm), Horse Guards Avenue (4:30am-4pm), King Edward Street (7am-3:30pm), King Street (6:30am-4pm), King William Street (6:30am-4pm), Lombard Street (6:30am-4pm), Lothbury (6:30am-4pm), Love Lane (6:30am-4pm), Lower Thames Street (7:30am-2:30pm), Melbourne Place (7am-3:30pm), New Change (6:30am-4pm), New Fetter Lane (7am-3:30pm), Newgate Street (7am-3:30pm), Northumberland Avenue (5am-4:30pm), Old Broad Street (6:30am-4pm), Old Jewry (6:30am-4pm).
P-S: Pall Mall (5am-5:30pm), Pall Mall East (2:30am-6:50pm), Parliament Street (4:30am-4pm), Poultry (6:30am-4pm), Princes Street (6:30am-4pm), Puddle Dock (6:30am-4pm), Queen Street (6:30am-4pm), Queen Victoria Street (6:30am-4pm), Regent Street St James (5am-5:30pm), Southwark Bridge (7:30am-2:30pm), St James's Square (5am-5:30pm), St James's Street (5am-5:30pm), St Martins-Le-Grand (7am-3:30pm), St Paul's Churchyard (6:30am-4pm), Strand (5am-4pm), Surrey Street (7am-3:30pm).
T-Z: Temple Place (7am-3:30pm), The Mall (4:30am-4pm), Threadneedle Street (6:30am-4pm), Throgmorton Street (6:30am-4pm), Tower Hill (7:30am-2:30pm), Trafalgar Square (5am-4pm), Upper Thames Street (7:30am-2:30pm), Upper Thames Street West (7:30am-4:30pm), Victoria Embankment (7:30am-4:30pm), Waterloo Place (5am-5:30pm), Westminster Bridge (8:30am-12pm), Whitehall (4:30am-4pm), Whitehall Court (4:30am-4pm), Wood Street (6:30am-4pm).
This comprehensive guide ensures both participants and spectators can navigate the event smoothly while experiencing one of London's most celebrated athletic occasions. The combination of historic scenery, community spirit, and logistical planning makes the 2026 London Landmarks Half Marathon a standout event in the capital's sporting calendar.
