Running the TCS London Marathon Route with David Yim

David Yim, Sports Tours International Ambassador, has run the TCS London Marathon 6 times, and he believes the London Marathon route is one of the best of all the Abbott World Marathon Majors.

Each year, over 50,000 runners from around the world take part in the TCS London Marathon, and you can see why. The London Marathon course is known for its flat course, electric atmosphere and strong crowd support. This event offers an unforgettable experience.

In this post, David shares his insider tips and advice to help you make the most of your TCS London Marathon experience.

London Marathon Course Breakdown

The London Marathon start line is at Blackheath in South-East London, and the finish line is on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace.

The marathon route for London passes some of London’s best-known landmarks, including:

• The Old Royal Naval College (mile 7)
• The Queen’s House (mile 7)
• The Cutty Sark (mile 7)
• Tower Bridge (mile 13)
• The Tower of London (mile 13)
• Canary Wharf (mile 19)
• The Tower of London (again at mile 23)
• The Victoria Embankment (mile 25)
• Somerset House (mile 25)
• The London Eye (mile 26)
• Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament (mile 26)
• Westminster Abbey (mile 26)
• Buckingham Palace (mile 26)

The most challenging parts of the London Marathon route are Westferry Road (mile 17) and Poplar High Street (mile 20) due to the support being slightly lighter at those locations. You’ve got to keep your head in the game, stay focused and keep moving!

Another challenging part of the course is the Blackfriars underpass at mile 24. There are no crowds there, and you will experience fatigue. Survive this part, and you are rewarded with the best atmosphere on the Victoria Embankment to the finish.

London Marathon Course Elevation

It’s ideal for an athlete who’s chasing a personal best to run on a course that is flat or downhill. This offers runners recovery time during the downhill. Whereas uphill demands more effort and increased energy expenditure.

The inclines and declines are generally small at the London Marathon. The only significant decline is around 4km coming down the hill at the end of mile 3 into Woolwich, where the different colored courses merge.

The incline at 4km only lasts 400m and is a 4% incline. The other noticeable incline is the one coming out of Blackfriars underpass at the midpoint of mile 24. This incline is at a 2.5% increase, but with 24 miles in your legs, it’s going to feel like you’re climbing Mount Everest.

London Marathon Crowd & Atmosphere

Crowd support and atmosphere at any marathon event are arguably the most important, affecting a runner’s mental and physical performance with increased motivation.

The support throughout the London marathon course is unbeatable. If you have your name on your running top, then the crowd will shout your name hundreds of times during the race. It gives you such a boost!

There is plenty of entertainment on the route, including the drummers, bagpipers, a brass band, Run Dem Crew, and Rainbow Row. This will help keep motivation high.

The most Uplifting Parts of the London Marathon Route

The 5 most uplifting points on the course, in my opinion, are:

1. Cutty Sark – an iconic landmark on the course at the start of 11km. The crowds are 3-4 deep, and this continues into Creek Road, where there are many charity cheer stations.
2. Tower Bridge – my favorite landmark and easily the best moment on race day. The crowds are 8-9 deep here, and the noise levels are insane.
3. Canary Wharf – at the start of 30km as you come onto the Canary Wharf estate. The crowds are 4-5 deep and give you a much needed boost when your legs are starting to feel the miles.
4. Rainbow Row – At 35km, this is one of the most colourful parts of the course and a proud celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
5. Victoria Embankment – the noise levels are off the scale, with the crowd being close to the runners in the penultimate mile.

London Marathon Hydration & Aid Stations

In previous years, the London Marathon has reduced the number of water stations from 12 to 9 to reduce waste and improve sustainability.

The water stations are well spaced, with one every 5K, and there is no shortage of water, which comes in 250ml plastic bottles with sports caps. The London Marathon has also introduced more water refill stations, so runners with hydration vests and bottles can refill their bottles.

My advice to athletes running the TCS London Marathon, bring your own nutrition, as there are only 2 gel stations on the course at mile 13 and 18. Which are too late in the race. There is also a limited number of sports drink stations on this course.

Running the Final Miles at The London Marathon

The last 3 miles are incredible. When you get to Tower Hill at the end of the switchback, you know you only have one Parkrun left. The crowd is incredible throughout.

You drop down into Lower Thames Street and pass by the bottom end of the City of London. The close buildings mean the crowd noise levels are amplified. You then run through the underpass and into the Victoria Embankment, where the crowds are close to the runners, and the noise is insane.

Once you see Big Ben, that is when you know you only have a mile to go! You run through Parliament Square, and soon, you’re on the home straight. You see the countdown counters 800m, 600m, 400m, etc. Then you hit the penultimate right turn, and you witness the gantry that says only 385yards to go. You see Buckingham Palace on your left as you take the last right turn into The Mall. Then it’s only 250m to that iconic finish line. It is truly amazing.

If you are inspired to experience the roar of the crowd at the Tower Bridge and conquer the TCS London Marathon, check out our London Marathon travel packages that include race entry, city center accommodation, on-site support, and the biggest after-party!