TCS London Marathon 2026

Marathon Entry – Included in package price
There is a discount for non-running partners

The London Marathon route begins in Greenwich, winding through landmarks like Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf and the London Eye. Runners pass the River Thames, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament before finishing on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace.

Getting to London

London is a major international hub with excellent transport links from several airports.

• Heathrow Airport (LHR): London’s busiest airport. Take the Heathrow Express (15 minutes to Paddington Station) or the Piccadilly Line on the Tube for a more economical option.
• Gatwick Airport (LGW): Offers fast train connections to Victoria or St Pancras stations in 30–35 minutes.
• Stansted Airport (STN): Popular with budget airlines. The Stansted Express reaches Liverpool Street Station in 45–50 minutes.
• Luton Airport (LTN): A base for Ryanair and easyJet. Bus and train links take 30-40 minutes to St Pancras International.

Getting Around London

London’s extensive public transport network makes getting around simple and efficient:

• Tube (London Underground): Connects all major areas of the city, including marathon start and finish points. Trains run frequently and cover 11 lines.
• Buses: The iconic red buses cover every neighbourhood, with Night Bus services operating after Tube hours.
• Taxis: Black cabs, Uber, and Bolt are widely available throughout the city.
• Walking & Cycling: Central London is highly walkable. Santander Cycles or Lime bikes (hire bikes) are available for short trips and sightseeing along the Thames and other key areas.

With Sports Tours, you never run alone. We’ll meet you at your hotel, escort you to the race expo, and get you to the start line with ease. Join us for a 5 km shakeout run, meet fellow runners, and celebrate together post-race.

After checking in, make your way to the London Marathon Expo at the London Excel center. It’s open until 08:00 PM today. At the Expo, you will find all the latest booths from the world of running and fitness. We operate a big stand at the London Marathon Expo. Say hello to the Sports Tours team.

In the evening, we are hosting a welcome reception for you to meet your fellow runners with whom you are about to experience a race like no other.

This morning, we will hold our pre-race briefing, providing an opportunity to learn what to expect on race day and to ask any questions you may have to our experienced team. If you didn’t get to the London Marathon Expo yesterday, then you have the opportunity today. If you arrived, and visited the Expo yesterday, this afternoon you are free to explore the vibrant city of London!

Join our team for a morning 5K shakeout run, starting from your hotel.

If you didn’t get to the London Marathon Expo yesterday, our reps can assist with guiding you. Please be aware that the London Marathon weekend will be busy and the Expo closes at 5:00 PM today. We recommend arriving before 4:00 pm to give yourself plenty of time to explore. For those who visited the Expo yesterday, this afternoon is yours to discover the sights, sounds and exciting landmarks of London!

The London Marathon 2026 race is finally here! After an early breakfast at the hotel, our private coaches will transfer all runners to the start line. Each hotel departure will be at 7:00 am on race day.

Family, friends and spectators have the option to join our Sports Tours cheer zone along the course. After the marathon, you may find your own way back to your hotel before joining us at our exclusive London Marathon after-party!

After breakfast, feel free to check out of the hotel and explore the city or prepare for your journey home.

The 2026 TCS London Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, April 26th 2026 – making it a classic spring marathon experience. As one of the world’s most prestigious road racing events, this marathon draws runners from across the globe and follows a historic route past famous London landmarks.

The easiest and most secure way to take part is by booking one of our Sports Tours International TCS London Marathon packages, which include guaranteed race entries.

By booking with us, runners avoid the public registration process and ballot system. Your race entry, bib number, and official confirmation are all handled as part of the package, removing the need for own arrangements.

Unlike some marathons with strict qualifying standards, the London Marathon generally uses a lottery and charity place system for most runners. Elite runners must meet their event’s standards, and charity runners commit to fundraising to secure an entry. Sports Tours International can help you obtain a guaranteed entry as part of a package, so you don’t need to rely on lottery results to be officially entered.

Sports Tours International offers flexible accommodation options for a stay in centrally located London hotels near the start line, course, and finish line. We strongly recommend travel insurance, which can be arranged as an add-on to give peace of mind when traveling internationally.

The London Marathon is organized by London Marathon Events Ltd. and sanctioned by World Athletics as a Platinum Label Road Race. Local authorities support route management, crowd safety, and logistics during this iconic marathon along the River Thames and through central London. Sports Tours International is the official international tour operator for the event, offering guided packages and assistance for runners from the USA, France, Ireland, and Europe.

In late April, London usually experiences mild spring weather, with average daytime temperatures ideal for running a full marathon. These moderate conditions can help runners maintain pace and achieve their personal best goals while enjoying cheering crowds along the course.

The 2026 race starts in Greenwich Park, a scenic and historic location in southeast London. From there, the course takes runners past iconic landmarks including Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, and Buckingham Palace before reaching the finish line near The Mall.

The London Marathon finish line is on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, surrounded by cheering spectators and iconic British scenery. Runners are celebrated here and then invited to enjoy the official post‑race celebration with refreshments, awards, and camaraderie.

Entry fees for the London Marathon vary depending on how you register – through the official ballot, charity place, or international tour operator. When you book with Sports Tours International, the entry fee is included as part of your package, along with accommodation and other inclusions, so you don’t have to pay separately.

The London Marathon was launched in March 1981 by former Olympic athletes Chris Brasher and John Disley. After being inspired by the New York City Marathon.