The 2026 London Marathon is set to take place this Sunday, April 26, with an impressive 59,000 participants expected to run through the streets of London. This iconic 26.2-mile race is among the largest in the world, alongside the New York, Berlin, Sydney, and Tokyo marathons. To manage the massive crowd and avoid congestion at the start, runners will begin the race in waves over a two-hour period on Sunday morning. The course starts at Blackheath and winds through the Isle of Dogs, Wapping, the City, and Westminster before finishing on The Mall.
How Many Waves Are There?
There are 55 waves in total, divided into five color-coded areas: yellow, red, blue, green, and pink. Participants should have received their assigned start wave via email three weeks before marathon day.
Wave Start Times
Start times are based on predicted finish times. Runners may join a later wave but cannot move to an earlier one. The schedule for non-elite runners runs from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Here are the key timings:
- 8:50 AM: Men's and women's elite wheelchair races
- 9:05 AM: Elite women's race
- 9:35 AM: Elite men and first mass participation wave
- 9:35 AM to 11:30 AM: Regular mass participation waves
Start and Finish Locations
The marathon begins at Blackheath in the southeast of London and finishes at The Mall, near Buckingham Palace.
How to Track Runners
To track a runner during the race, download the TCS London Marathon app.
Weather Forecast
The weather is expected to be favorable: dry and not too windy, with highs of 17°C. However, it might feel a bit warm in the afternoon. For the full forecast, check local weather services.
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