London Marathon 2025: Start time, route, elite athletes involved and road closures as 50,000 runners take to capital’s streets

One of athletics’ most popular events on an annual basis, the London Marathon will make its return this weekend for its 45th edition on Sunday.

Last year’s race brought out record-breaking numbers with 54,000 runners participating, according to event organisers.

However, this year’s marathon is expected to be even bigger than last year.

But what time does the event start, who is competing, where can you watch it and which roads are closed? 

Read on below for everything you need to know about the 2025 London Marathon including its start time, route, where to watch and road closures.  

Eliud Kipchoge will return to the London Marathon for the first time in five years this weekend

Here is all the key info you need to know ahead of Sunday’s much-anticipated race

What time is the London Marathon?

There are different start times for the marathon due to the varying races being run by both amateurs and professionals. These are as follows: 

8:50am – Elite wheelchair men’s and women’s races.

9:05am – Elite women’s race.

9:35am – Elite men’s race followed by mass start.

Which elite athletes are taking part?

This race will see two of the fastest women in history face up against one another in Olympic champion Sifan Hassan and Tigst Assefa. 

However, current world record holder Ruth Chepngetich and the reigning champion Peres Jepchirchir had to withdraw two weeks before the race. 

Eliud Kipchoge, who is considered to be one of the greatest marathon runners of all time will return to compete in the London event for the first time since 2020 as he looks to secure his fifth victory in the English capital. 

Jacob Kiplimo, the half-marathon world record holder, makes his debut in the full distance category.

Olympic champion Tamirat Tola and 2024 London champion Alexander Mutiso will compete with the likes of Sabastian Sawe and triathlete Alex Yee, who won Olympic and world gold last year, but is now set for his debut in the London Marathon. 

What is the London Marathon route?

The start of the race will be located between Greenwich and Blackheath but there are different checkpoints and amateur participants have a staggered race start.

The beginning of the race tend to be the busiest and most chaotic part of the 26.2mile long race.

The runners will then make their way past the iconic Cutty Sark before crossing Tower Bridge, through the tower blocks of Canary Wharf.

Before heading back through the city and along Victoria Embankment by the Palace of Westminster.

From there they will embark on the final stretch of the race, finishing up at The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace.

Start line locations 

There are multiple locations where you can follow all of Sunday’s action across the capital

But it is worth bearing in mind that there will be numerous road closures in place on the day

There are three different start lines, each colour-coded to mark the runners expected finish times (red, green or blue).

The Red start is located at Southern Greenwich Park on Charlton Way, the Green start begins at St John’s Park, with the blue start line being found on Shooter’s Hill Road.

How to watch the marathon 

Whether you would prefer to watch London’s longest and biggest race in person or on TV at home, here are the best spots to watch the 26.2mile long race.

Spectator locations with a view: 

• Mile 6: Cutty Sark
• Mile 12: Tower Bridge  
• Mile 18: Canary Wharf  
• Mile 22: The Tower of London  
• Mile 25: The London Eye  
• Mile 25: Big Ben  
• Mile 26: Buckingham Palace 

Other good spectator locations:

• Highway (see runners go past twice)  
• Tower Bridge (halfway mark)

Good location for spectators with disabilities:

• Cutty Sark
• Canary Wharf
• Rainbow Row
• Tower Hill 
• Victoria Embankment 

The full marathon will also be available to watch on your TV at home, with BBC broadcasting the full race.

BBC’s coverage of the race will begin at 8:30am until 2pm on BCC One before being transferred onto BBC Two, who will continue the coverage from 2pm to 3pm, with highlights of all the race action at 6pm.

London Marathon 2024: Road closures in place

South of the river 

From 4am to 1pm 

• Charlton Way 
• Shooters Hill Road 

From 7am to 1pm 

• Southvale Road
• Hurren Close  
• Collins Street 
• Baizdon
• Charlton Park Road 
• St John’s Park 
• Old Dover Road 
• Little Heath 
• Charlton Park Lane 
• Artillery Place  
• John Wilson Street 

From 7am to 2pm 

• Woolwich Church Street 
• Woolwich Road 

From 4am to 1pm

From 8am to 4pm 

• Evelyn Street
• Surrey Quays Road  
• Salter Road  
• Brunel Road  
• Jamaica Road 

From 8am to 7pm

North of the river 

From Thursday, April 18 at 5am until Monday, April 22 at 6pm

• The Mall 
• Marlborough Road 

From Friday, April 19 at 6am until Monday, April 22 at 6am

• Spur Road 
• Constitution Hill  
• Horseguards Road  
• Birdcage Walk (eastbound) 

From Saturday, April 20 at 7:30am until Monday, April 22 at 6am

• Birdcage Walk (westbound) 

From 7:30 am to 8:30pm

•  Byward Street
• Upper Thames Street  
• Victoria Embankment 

From 8am to 7pm

• The Highway (south side) 
• Narrow Street  
• Westferry Road  
• East Ferry Road and Marsh Wall  
• North Colonnade  
• Poplar High Street  
• Commerical Road  
• The Highway (north side) 

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