London Marathon route 2023: how long is it, spectator route, where does it start, finish line location

The world famous London Marathon is returning to the capital city today.

Tens of thousands of runners will be taking part in the run as it returns to its usual spring slot for the first time since 2019. In recent years, the iconic run has taken place in October but for 2023 it is taking place in April.

Started in 1981, the marathon will see many taking to the streets of London in a bid to raise money as well as simply pull off the achievement of completing a marathon. Expect plenty of fancy dress in the ranks.

The run will take place on Sunday, 23 April it has been confirmed with 40,000 runners expected to take part. It is the first time in three years that the race is taking place in its traditional spot, after the Covid-19 pandemic caused disruption.

BBC will once again be providing live coverage of the race in 2023. It will be showing the race live across BBC TV channels and via iPlayer.

However despite the change in date, it is the same route that you have come to expect from the London Marathon.

What is the route for the London Marathon in 2023?

The route for the London marathon has remained largely the same since it started in 1981. It takes in many of the capital’s most iconic landmarks.

The 26.2-mile challenge begins at one of the three start lines – Blue, Green or Red – near Blackheath in Greenwich. It finishes on The Mall.

Runners will go through Surrey Quays and Bermondsey and as they cross over Tower Bridge they will reach the halfway point. The participants will then head east through Wapping and pass Limehouse before heading into Canary Wharf.

For the final leg of the marathon, you will pass by the Tower of London and in the penultimate mile you will go along The Embankment, where runners can see the London Eye, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. Runners will cross the finish line at The Mall.

What time does the London Marathon start?

The timings for the elite races have been confirmed for 2023. They are as follows:

• 9.15am - wheelchair races
• 9.25am - elite women
• 10am - elite men

The rest of the participants will begin in stages after the elite runners have set off.

Where does the London Marathon start and how to get there?

The start line is in Blackheath, there are three different ones - Blue, Green or Red.

You can get to Blackheath by train - with Blackheath Station being in the area. Southeastern is the rail service you will have to use. It is served by trains from London Charing Cross, London Victoria, Dartford via Bexleyheath and Dartford via Woolwich Arsenal.

Participants can also get the bus to Blackheath. The services you need to watch out for are the 108, 202, 54, 89. These will take you to Blackheath Station.

Where is the London Marathon finish line?

The finish line is The Mall in the City of Westminster. It is between Buckingham Palace at its western end and Trafalgar Square via Admiralty Arch to the east.

The Mall’s location in central London means that there are many options for travelling to and from it once you have finished the marathon or collected a runner. The nearest tube stations are Westminster, St James’s Park, Victoria, Hyde Park Corner, Charing Cross.

If you are taking the bus, the routes which service The Mall are the numbers 139, 15, 159, 453, 6, 91, 94. But expect public transport to be busy on the day of the marathon.