Date | Registration | Course Information | Hotels & Lodging | Records | More
The London Marathon – officially called the 2024 TCS London Marathon – takes you on a lovely journey through the royal city. You’ll pass Tower Bridge, the Shard, Big Ben & the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye & more! Ready to run? We’ve got the answers to some of your most frequently asked questions to help get you to the starting line…
When and where will the 2024 London Marathon take place?
The 2024 London Marathon is scheduled for April 21, 2024 in London, England (see more detailed location info below).
Where can you register for the London Marathon?
Registration for the London Marathon can be done through the official event website here. The first step is entering a ballot into a lottery. If selected, the marathon entry price for individual runners ranges from £69.99 (for UK entrants) to £146 (for international entrants).
Where is the start and finish line for the London Marathon? Is a course/route map available?
The London Marathon starting line is near Blackheath in Greenwich, southeast of downtown London. The finish line is outside Buckingham Palace, approximately 8 miles west across the River Thames. The course map for the London marathon can be downloaded here and is a good reference for spectators who would like to cheer you on.
Where is the best place to stay for the London Marathon?
The best area to stay for London Marathon participants largely depends on whether you would like to stay closer to the start or the finish (or popular attractions!). Our recommendation would be to stay somewhere in between – in downtown London near public transport – as there aren’t many lodging options available near the start in Blackheath.
Popular Choices
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- The Clarendon Hotel (Near Starting Line) Fall out of bed to the starting line; just 5 minutes walk to Blackheath Train Station
- The Tophams Hotel (Near Finish Line) Sensibly priced in an expensive area; close proximity to Victoria Station (Underground & Train)
- Motel One London-Tower Hill (Spectators) Just a quick stroll to catch the runners twice near mile markers 13 & 23
Budget
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- Ravna Gora Economical bed & breakfast choice a bit west of the finish line; walkable to Holland Park Underground Station and Notting Hill Gate
- Byron Hotel Just north of Kensington Gardens (west of finish); offering rooms at various affordable price points
Upscale
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- Sofitel London St James Steps from the finish; a short walk is nice for weary legs – especially when you are returning to this posh facility
- Wilde Aparthotels by Staycity Covent Garden Stretch out in this condo-hotel in ever-popular Covent Garden; a great location for taking in London
- Corinthia London A bit further up the price scale for one of the top stays in London; close to Charing Cross (for the train to the start) and finish
If taking public transport, the closest stops to the starting line are Blackheath, Maze Hill & Greenwich (National Rail) or Greenwich & Cutty Sark (DLR). You can plan your London Public Transport trip here or National Railway trip here. Last year participants could ride the Underground and DLR for free until 17:00 on Marathon Day by showing their bib numbers and that may be true again but we recommend confirming it before you try. Public transport stops are shown on the map below (by zooming in).
An important note about budget stays: there are several hostels and pub-related lodging options available around London for very attractive prices. While they can be a great way to save money (and have some fun!) – they are probably NOT how you want to spend the night before your race. Double check before you book.
Race day lodging: Here are the available hotel & lodging options for the night before the race.
Booking.com
If you are looking for stays near the finish line, Buckingham Palace is located in the green space area around Westminster on the northern side of the River Thames. Prefer the starting line? Greenwich Park in the southeast of this map is a good landmark for finding the Blackheath section of town. Don’t wait until the last minute… lodging in London will be at a premium around race day.
What is the course record for the London Marathon?
The marathon’s record for men is 2:01:25 set in 2023 by Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya. The women’s record of 2:15:25 was set in 2003 by England’s very own Paula Radcliffe.
How do you find cheap flights, tour packages, or things to do in London?
Here’s a link to our London Travel Deals page. For flights, London has several airports that may fit your itinerary and budget needs. Be sure to also consult our discount guides to London attractions, FREE London attractions, and our popular What’s on in London Events Calendar.
Below, we’ve assembled some popular activities for visitors to London via our affiliate partner Tiqets.com.
2023 Major European Marathon Calendar
19 March: Rome Marathon
2 April: Paris Marathon
23 April: London Marathon
7 May: Prague Marathon
24 September: Berlin Marathon
15 October: Amsterdam Marathon
29 October: Frankfurt Marathon
5 November: Istanbul Marathon
12 November: Athens Marathon