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The London Marathon 2024 will weave by means of the streets of the capital from Greenwich to Westminster on Sunday 21 April, and hundreds of spectators are going to be lining the route for a glimpse of their operating mates.
Over 50,000 individuals are anticipated to tackle the mammoth two-foot tour of London landmarks, together with Buckingham Palace, Cutty Sark and Tower Bridge.
For the reason that inaugural 26.2 mile occasion in 1981, the fundraising race has raised thousands and thousands for charities annually, and, with sunshine on the forecast for now, celebrations of the charitable and bodily feat will happen throughout the town.
Right here’s all the things you’ll want to know to plan the day in case you’re operating or supporting this yr’s London Marathon.
London Marathon 2024 begin time and date
The London Marathon 2024 will happen on Sunday 21 April.
Precise timings for this yr’s races are but to be confirmed however staggered begin occasions from round 8.30am are the norm, with the lots setting off in waves at 10am and all begin traces closed from 11.30am.
The end line on The Mall closes at 7.30pm and is then moved to St James’ Park till midnight.
London Marathon route
Largely unchanged since 1981, the beginning line for the race is in Blackheath on the prime of Greenwich Park.
From right here, a leg to Woolwich, jog previous the Cutty Sark and stretch round Bermondsey takes runners to cross the river over Tower Bridge.
After a hoop across the Isle of Canines, it’s a comparatively straight stretch alongside the Thames by means of the Metropolis of London to the Westminster end line on The Mall.
Will there be practice and tube strikes?
There’s a deliberate time beyond regulation ban for Aslef members working for LNER on Friday 19 and Sunday 21 April (marathon day), in addition to strikes on Saturday 20 April, so these travelling into London from the northeast will possible face cancellations.
Substantial street closures throughout the capital to make manner for the race imply spectators ought to journey on foot or by tube – roads will reopen as and when all runners have cleared the world.
Marathon members will obtain free journey house as much as 6.30pm on marathon day on the London Underground and Overground, buses and DLR.
TfL stated {that a} modified DLR service will begin at 5.30am from Tower Gateway to Lewisham so runners arrive on time to the beginning line.
Rail companies out of London to the midlands and the northwest are additionally anticipated to be extraordinarily busy from 6pm resulting from an FA Cup semi-final going down at Wembley Stadium.
One of the best spots to observe the London Marathon in individual
If the stay BBC protection received’t lower it and also you’re coming to help from the sidelines, spectators can watch alongside most elements of the route, together with The Freeway in Wapping, the place runners will go twice.
To be within the coronary heart of the motion, the midway level of Tower Bridge at mile 13, and the end line at The Mall are certain to be thrilling however busy. For a quieter spot to cheer, keep east and line up in Deptford or the Isle of Canines.
Observe family and friends participating utilizing their marathon quantity on the TCS London Marathon app to greatest place your self to catch them on the go.
Marathon organisers advise that some areas, together with these by the Cutty Sark and St James’ Park, are prone to be very busy on the day.
5 accessible viewing areas additionally dot the course for these with disabilities: in Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, Rainbow Row, Tower Hill and Victoria Embankment.
The place to have a good time alongside the route
London has loads of pubs and bars to quench the post-marathon thirst, whether or not you’ve been operating or cheering.
In Greenwich, The Gipsy Moth has Cutty Sark views, The Angel in Bermondsey sits on the Thames and midway pub, the Tower Bridge Arms, raises pints of IPA to passers-by.
Moist your palette in Wapping’s native Turner’s Outdated Star, journey the excessive at Pergola on the Wharf for metropolis views, or refuel at Hung, Drawn & Quartered in Tower Hill with pies and ales.
At Victoria Embankment, board pub boat Tattershall Fortress to cheer runners on for the ultimate mile and savour a chilly one at The Westminster Arms simply earlier than the end line.
As soon as the race has been run, Inn the Park restaurant in St James’ Park is right for a light-weight chunk or head into Mercato Mayfair for a road meals social gathering in a restored church.
How to enroll in the London Marathon 2025
After a report variety of entries signed up for the 26.2-mile race in 2024 – 578,374 candidates in line with occasion organisers – subsequent yr’s London Marathon is certain to be one other well-liked occasion.
To tackle the problem, entry is on the market by means of a poll, worldwide tour operators, charity areas and athletics golf equipment.
The general public poll for the 2025 TCS London Marathon will open on Saturday 20 April and shut the next Friday (26 April). Winners shall be drawn at random and emailed in July forward of the 27 April 2025 marathon.
Learn extra: Wonderful sports activities occasions and experiences to mix with a once-in-a-lifetime vacation
