London Marathon Route Guide: A Mile-by-Mile Look at the Course

What is the London Marathon route?

The London Marathon route is a famously flat, fast and scenic 26.2 miles from Greenwich to Westminster. It starts around Blackheath and Greenwich, passes the Cutty Sark, crosses Tower Bridge at around halfway, loops through Canary Wharf, then follows the River Thames past the Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament before finishing on The Mall near Buckingham Palace. In 2027 the same route is run across both race days, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April.

It is one of the six World Marathon Majors, and part of what makes it so special is how much of London you take in on the way round. You start in green, open parkland, drop down towards the river, cross the Thames at one of the most famous bridges in the world, weave through the towers of Canary Wharf, and then roll home past some of the capital's most iconic sights. Very few marathons pack in this much history and atmosphere.

The crowd support is also part of the course itself. From the early miles right through to the finish, the streets are lined deep with people cheering, holding signs and shouting your name. On the tougher stretches that noise genuinely carries you forward, and many first timers say it is the loudest, most joyful day of their running lives.

Where does the London Marathon start and finish?

The race starts around Blackheath and Greenwich in south east London, on high, open ground with plenty of space for the huge field to spread out. From there the course heads down towards the River Thames and settles into its rhythm. The early miles are a lovely place to soak up the day and hold yourself back a little, because there is a long way to go and the energy of the start can tempt you into going out too fast.

The finish sits on The Mall, the grand tree lined avenue near Buckingham Palace. After the long run along the Thames and past the Houses of Parliament, you turn onto The Mall for the closing stretch, with the crowds at their loudest and the finish line in sight. It is one of the most memorable finishes in world running, and a fitting reward for 26.2 miles of effort.

Is the London Marathon course flat or hilly?

London is known as a flat and fast course, which is one of the reasons so many runners chase a personal best here. There are no long, grinding climbs to break your rhythm, and the route generally trends gently downhill from the higher ground of the start towards the river. That makes it a friendly course for a first marathon and a favourite for runners hunting a fast time.

Flat does not mean easy, though, and it is worth being honest with yourself about that. It is still 26.2 miles, and the challenge in London is less about the terrain and more about managing your effort over a long day. If you start too quickly because the early miles feel comfortable, the closing few miles can bite hard. Steady, patient pacing is the real secret to enjoying this course.

What are the highlights of the course?

There is a landmark to look forward to at almost every stage, which is a lovely way to break the distance into smaller chunks in your mind. Around mile 6 to 7 you pass the Cutty Sark, the beautiful old sailing ship in Greenwich, where the crowds funnel in tight and the atmosphere lifts. It is one of the first real goosebump moments of the day.

At around halfway, roughly mile 12 to 13, you cross Tower Bridge, and for many runners this is the highlight of the whole race. The roar as you come onto the bridge is unforgettable, and it is a natural moment to check in with your pacing before the second half. From there the course loops out through Canary Wharf and the Docklands, roughly miles 14 to 19, where the tall towers and enthusiastic crowds keep you company through the middle miles. The table below maps the key landmarks in order so you know what is coming.

Which parts of the route are the toughest?

Even on a flat and fast course, the later miles are where the marathon is won or lost. The stretch along the Embankment from around miles 22 to 25, past the Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament, is breathtaking to look at but often the hardest to run. Your legs are tired, the finish feels close yet still a little way off, and this is where patient early pacing pays you back. Break it down landmark by landmark, lean on the crowd, and keep moving forward.

The good news is that these closing miles are also the most rewarding. Once you pass the Houses of Parliament you are nearly home, and the turn onto The Mall for the final stretch to the finish is a feeling most runners never forget. The best way to enjoy that moment is to arrive at it with something left in the tank, which comes down to the training you do in the months before race day.

Frequently asked questions

What is the London Marathon route?

The London Marathon route is a famously flat, fast and scenic 26.2 miles from Greenwich to Westminster. It starts around Blackheath and Greenwich, passes the Cutty Sark, crosses Tower Bridge at around halfway, loops through Canary Wharf, then follows the River Thames past the Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament before finishing on The Mall near Buckingham Palace. In 2027 the same route is run across both race days, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April.

Where does the London Marathon start and finish?

It starts around Blackheath and Greenwich in south east London, on high, open ground, and finishes on The Mall near Buckingham Palace. In between, the route heads down to the River Thames and takes in many of the capital's most famous landmarks.

Is the London Marathon course flat or hilly?

London is famously flat and fast, with no long climbs, which is why so many runners target a personal best here. It is still 26.2 miles though, so the real challenge is pacing yourself well rather than tackling steep hills.

What are the highlights of the London Marathon course?

The standout moments include the Cutty Sark at around mile 6 to 7, crossing Tower Bridge at around halfway, the towers of Canary Wharf and Docklands through miles 14 to 19, and the run along the Thames past the Tower of London and Houses of Parliament before the finish on The Mall.

Which parts of the London Marathon are the toughest?

The later miles are usually the hardest, especially the Embankment stretch from around miles 22 to 25 past the Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament. Your legs are tired by then, so patient early pacing and the huge crowd support are what carry you home to The Mall.