London Marathon 2026 - all you need to know

London Marathon 2026 - all you need to knowImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Watch and follow the London Marathon across BBC TV, iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website and app on SundayByHarry PooleBBC Sport journalistPublished20 minutes agoThe 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.Here's everything you need to know.TCS London MarathonSunday, 26 AprilWheelchair race 08:50 BST, women's elite race 09:05 BST, men's elite race and mass event 09:35 BSTWatch on iPlayerWatch live on BBC One from 08:30 BST with additional streams featuring the elite races, Tower Bridge and the finish line on BBC iPlayer; follow live text updates and watch live streams on BBC Sport website and app.London Marathon 2026 route mapThe course begins at Greenwich Park and ends on The Mall, where runners will cross the finishing line after passing Buckingham Palace.The mostly flat route - there is a total elevation gain of 246 feet - takes in several other London landmarks, including Tower Br...